How to Become a Successful Digital Nomad?
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of digital nomads worldwide has increased significantly. In the United States alone, this number has more than tripled between 2018 and 2021, moving from 4.8 million to 15.5 million.
Digital nomads are a unique group of individuals who choose to work remotely using technology and the internet. They claim there are many benefits to adopting this lifestyle, including having the opportunity to eliminate stressful situations, save more money, and get inspired by new environments and people.
However, because the digital nomad lifestyle relies almost entirely on technology, several problems can occur during someone’s designated working hours (which are not typically the conventional 9-5). As a result, we have compiled a list of the top tips for becoming a successful digital nomad in 2024.
Table of Contents
#1: Use A Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot
When you’re working remotely and using the internet for everything, relying on public networks to complete your assignments can be worrisome. Internet connections fluctuate all the time, and this is especially true in places like coffee shops, airports, and hotels. Because you don’t want to risk potentially losing the internet during a conference call or as you’re sending an important e-mail, digital nomads should consider using a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
These hotspots tend to be more secure than public networks, and according to ExpressVPN’s tech kit article, a portable Wi-Fi hotspot can support between 10 to 15 devices at a time. That means you can use your hotspot for your phone, laptop, and other tech accessories, which is crucial in surviving the digital nomad lifestyle since these products are essentially your office. Making sure you have a dedicated tech bag with you at all times that includes chargers and universal adapters is also crucial in surviving this lifestyle.
#2: Use Productivity Software
Since digital nomads are working on their own and their only communication with their employers is through e-mail or phone calls, it’s easy for information to get lost, especially if these individuals are traveling the world as they are working. Because of this, digital nomads should take advantage of productivity software programs such as Notion.
Notion is a popular project management and note-taking software that helps individuals organize assignments, deadlines, and objectives, and since 2020, the number of active users on the platform has skyrocketed. According to Notion Wizard’s growth article, there are around 20 million users on the platform today. The program also allows individuals to design their Notion how they would like. This freedom fuels creativity and decreases stress since people don’t have to try to fit their life into a box, which is one of the reasons why people turn to the digital nomad lifestyle in the first place.
#3: Use The Latest Technology
Even though laptops and smartphones are getting more expensive, they are worth the investment if you’re planning on using them for both work and personal purposes. Similar to enduring lagging when connected to public Wi-Fi, there is nothing worse than having your laptop freeze or buffer when you’re in the middle of your work day. Investing in top-quality laptops will help you in the long run and allow you to complete your work faster, giving you more time to explore new cities and countries.
As per Project Untethered’s research article, the average digital nomad age in 2021 was 32 years old, but that doesn’t mean this lifestyle is restricted to this demographic. Because most people have access to laptops and smart devices, almost anyone can become a digital nomad if they have the appropriate skills and qualities.
However, sometimes your skill set isn’t enough to become a successful digital nomad, so you have to consider everything from your Wi-Fi to your laptop quality and model.