These days, most people are cutting ties with the nine-to-five routine and embracing the idea of working remotely as digital nomads. Instead of the traditional office setting, you can work from anywhere in the world. In fact, some countries like Argentina and Italy offer digital nomad visas.
The digital nomad lifestyle can be enticing if you seek a different work culture, colder or warmer climate, exotic locations, etc. However, although it has many benefits like flexibility, there are challenges if you aren’t prepared adequately.
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Do’s and don’ts of a digital nomad
Here are the things you should consider to find a balance after shifting to this unique way of working and living.
Plan and do research
Certain things like food, water, and shelter are essential. Also, as a digital nomad, you will need a reliable internet connection to continue working. So, research to ensure these things are available before moving to your next destination. Other factors you should consider are accommodation cost, visa requirements, weather changes, etc.
Use a VPN
The best way to protect your digital life from snooping eyes while traveling is to use a virtual private network (VPN). It will encrypt your traffic, making it impossible for other people to see your online activities.
If employed, you can request the company to give you a VPN connectivity to the headquarters. However, many reliable VPN services are available if you are self-employed.
Back up your data
Many things that can make your computer to malfunction and stop working. This can be very stressful, especially when you have an important work deadline. So, it is importnat to back up your data to resume work as soon as possible in this situation.
The IT department will handle your backups if you work at a company. However, you’ll have to pick a reliable solution if you are a freelancer. But whichever backup tool you choose, ensure it encrypts your data to protect it from hackers and other third parties.
Avoid public Wi-Fi hotspots
Nowadays, you can find a free Wi-Fi hotspot anywhere from a restaurant, airport, library, etc. As a digital nomad, you might be tempted to use public Wi-Fi to get some work done. However, you shouldn’t because of the dangers they pose. For example, they have poor security measures, making it easy for cybercriminals to spy on you, steal your data or install malware.
Use a password manager
A password manager will come in handy to streamline your digital nomad lifestyle. It will help to securely store your passwords while roaming in different locations. Also, some of them have an autofill feature, which eliminates the hassle of inputting credentials manually when accessing your accounts.
Moreover, a password manager will alert you when you reuse passwords or need an update. Also, you can use it to create new and strong passwords.
Use two-factor authentication
Safeguarding your online accounts from unauthorized access is imperative as a digital nomad. One of the best solutions is a two/multi-factor authentication (2FA/MFA). It allows you to include additional authenticators like fingerprint or one-time code besides your password to reduce the chances of unauthorized access.
Essentially, a 2FA tool will alert you if there is a login attempt. This enables you to act quickly if you suspect suspicious activities on your accounts.
Travel slow
Some digital nomads are on the move constantly, changing destinations after a few days or weeks. However, spending more extended periods in a place can help you get a balance on your work. Also, it enables you to know the destination better and form deeper connections. The downside is that you feel like missing out on new experiences.
Remove distractions
There are many disturbances that can prevent you from concentrating on your work. These can include:
- Social media: Allocate specific times to open your social media accounts.
- The Internet: You can block access to the internet for some time with sites like Freedom to focus on finishing your work.
- Phone calls and text messages: Keep your phone silent and let people know you are unavailable at certain hours.
- TV and movies: They keep you entertained but limit them to avoid getting your mind off the work for too long.
Eliminating these distractions will make your digital nomad lifestyle more productive and enjoyable.
Organize your time
As a digital nomad, you should manage your time because you don’t have the traditional office schedule. So, create a daily or weekly roster to organize and stay on track with your work. For example, you can use a time-tracking app to see how you spend your time. Managing your time effectively will help to improve your productivity.
Take advantage of co-working spaces
It is proven that co-working spaces make people more productive. So, you should look for other digital nomads in your destination and organize a working space. If you cannot meet in a physical space, there are many online communities and forums to connect with digital nomads.
Bottom line
The digital nomad lifestyle is appealing and has immense flexibility, especially after self-isolating in your house for an extended period because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, some countries have started noticing digital nomads’ increased popularity and offer special visas to lure traveling professionals. So, it is the best time to embark on this life-changing journey.