Have you noticed an increase in friends and acquaintances working remotely? Perhaps it’s got you thinking about making some changes to your own working lifestyle, after all, who wouldn’t want to divide their time between tropical beaches and trendy cities.
Still, starting your own business as a digital nomad or convincing your current employer to let you work remotely isn’t the easiest thing in the world. So what’s really going to be your deciding factor? We’ve got you started with some pros and cons.
Avoid Peak Travel Times
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Because you’ll have the ultimate flexibility, you can easily avoid peak travel times where those with office jobs are all fighting for spots. You’ll be able to avoid the tourist season crowds as well as spikes in costs for travel, accommodation, and even entrance fees.
Almost Always Solo
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While you’re getting awesome deals everywhere you go, you may find yourself doing it all solo, and while it can be fun to go on an adventure alone, it’s not cut out for everyone. Even if you love solo travel, you may find that you have a limit.
Where your travel schedule is completely flexible, chances are your friends and family are tied down by their jobs and won’t be able to accompany you to new destinations as often as you want, but don’t fret! The longer you work remotely, the more likely you’ll have made new friends that are doing what you’re doing and will cross paths with you often.
Dive In Rather Than Dipping Your Toes
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Another perk of having a flexible schedule means you’ll be able to spend more time in your favorite destinations than you could with two weeks of vacation once a year. Instead of racing to hit all the highlights in a specific location, you’ll be able to really explore the area like a local.
Don’t Actually Like the Job
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Getting started with a new job or new tasks and a new schedule within the same job can be really exciting, especially with the perk of traveling on top of it all; however, over time you may find that the new business you started so you could travel the world was really just a means to an end.
Before you quit your job, be honest with yourself about the work you’ll be doing remotely and whether it’s something you can enjoy and excel at in the long term.
World Experience
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One of the biggest selling factors of being a digital nomad is the experience. You’ll have the opportunity for exposure to all sorts of cultures and lifestyles. For someone curious about the world, it’s a great way to expand your thinking and embrace the diversity of all peoples and places.
Insurance and Medical Care
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As if starting a business isn’t hard enough, you’ll also have to think about insurance costs and how or where to get your preventative medical care. You’ll have to arrange your travel schedule around your appointments for annual check-ups, eye care, and dental implants or cleanings.
Some travel destinations will require you to apply for a visa, too, and you may be required to provide proof of insurance coverage or purchase it along with your travel papers.
Set Your Own Work Hours
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Because you’re working independently or on a different schedule from the rest of your company, you’ll be able to set your own work hours. And depending on your finances, you may be able to work fewer hours while earning more income than you did before.
Make sure to crunch the numbers ahead of time so you can get the most out of your time in each location!
Must be Self-motivated
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In this day and age, our biggest motivators have become grades and deadlines, so as a self-employed individual, it’s important that you set appropriate standards for your work and meet them.
You may be used to teachers and parents being there to make sure you get things done, but now that responsibility will be all on you. It may be difficult at first, but stick with it and you’ll learn to be self-motivated in no time.