10 Digital Nomad Tips & Tricks to Help You Travel the World & Work Full-time

Monday, September 5, 2022

The digital nomad lifestyle is a growing trend. With the increasing accessibility to broadband internet and mobile devices, it's now easier than ever before for professionals from all industries to work remotely and travel the world at the same time. Working as a digital nomad comes with its own set of challenges, however. Whether you're just beginning your journey as a digital nomad or looking for ways to take your remote working lifestyle to the next level, these helpful tips and tricks will support you along the way. 

Know Where To Find WiFi

Working remotely can be challenging, especially if you're not able to find reliable Internet access or WiFi while you're on the road. Before you head out on your first trip as a digital nomad, make sure you have a reliable WiFi connection so you can stay connected with your team back home. If you're looking to save some money on WiFi while you're travelling, try to find free open WiFi hotspots while you're out and about, but be sure to have a reliable VPN if using public WiFi to protect yourself from security threats. You can use a dongle to have portable internet wherever you are.

Take Care Of Your Digital Security While Travelling

Whether you're working from your home city or from a remote destination, it's important to protect your digital security by using strong passwords and securing your online accounts and devices. While travelling, it's a good idea to use a VPN to protect and encrypt your data and hide your IP address. To learn more about why you should use a VPN while travelling, check out this article. If you're travelling with your devices, make sure you have a solid backup plan in place to protect your data just in case something unfortunate happens while you're away. It's also a good idea to lock down your accounts and enable two-factor authentication to protect your online accounts while you're on the go.

Stay Organised With Trello

While working remotely, it's easy to get distracted by all of the amazing experiences and opportunities that come with being a digital nomad. If you work best when you have a clear and organised schedule, make sure you stay on top of your tasks by using a project management tool like Trello. Trello makes it easy to keep track of your to-do list, collaborate with your team, and stay organised by creating boards for each of your projects. You can also use Trello to plan out your travel schedule and map out your travel plans for the year as a digital nomad. Stay organised by using a tool that works best for you and your team.

Streamline File Management By Merging Your PDFs

If you're working remotely, you're likely to receive a lot of digital files, whether they're sent as attachments in emails or hosted on cloud storage platforms. While it's great to receive these files, it can become cumbersome to manage and store all of these files if you don't have a system in place. While you can save all of the files to a central location on your computer, it may be a good idea to merge them together. Merging multiple PDFs into one file can help you to keep your files well-organised, and you can do this by using tools to merge with Adobe. It's also a good idea to keep track of the date that you received each file, as well as the name of the person who sent it. This can be done by adding a note to the file or by adding an additional file name to the file that you're merging.

Network With Fellow Digital Nomads And Locals

As a digital nomad, you're likely to meet lots of people from different industries, cultures, and backgrounds while you're travelling. Before you part ways, make sure you create a professional network with the other digital nomads you meet along the way. Use an online networking platform like LinkedIn to find digital nomad communities and events nearby. You can also meet other digital nomads and locals to network with by joining a co-working space when you're travelling.

Protect Your Health While Travelling And Working Remotely

As a digital nomad, you might be spending extended periods of time in different time zones and climates. Travelling and working remotely can also put a lot of pressure on your body, so it's important to stay healthy and hydrated while you're on the road. Stay healthy and hydrated by drinking lots of water, eating healthy snacks, and getting enough sleep each night. 

Pack Light And Choose Your Accommodations Wisely

Working as a digital nomad can be challenging, especially if you're not travelling light and if the accommodations you're staying at aren't suitable for long-term living. Before you begin your travels, make sure you're travelling light and only bringing the essentials with you. When you find yourself in a bind by not having what you need, you can use local amenities to stock up on what you're missing. When choosing your accommodations as a digital nomad, make sure you select a location that is close to the places you need to go and a location that is safe and secure.

Manage Your Devices While Travelling

While travelling, it's important to make sure your devices are charged and protected while they're in transit. To charge all of your devices efficiently while on the road, use a power strip and plug them into multiple outlets. It's also a good idea to purchase a protective case for your laptop or tablet so you can travel with your devices safely. When it's time to pack up and travel, make sure you clean your devices with a portable computer cleaner and protect them with a durable case.

Create A Healthy Work-Life Balance

Working as a digital nomad can be challenging, so it's important to create a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout and overworking. Start each day with a clear to-do list to avoid over-committing yourself. It's also a good idea to set daily and weekly goals and reevaluate them throughout your travels to stay on track with your plans. To stay in touch with friends and family back home, try using communication apps to stay connected and avoid falling out of touch with loved ones. You can also use an app like Headspace to stay mindful and focused and take breaks when you need them. Create a healthy work-life balance that works best for you and your lifestyle as a digital nomad.

Diversify Your Income Streams

Working as a digital nomad can be a financially taxing experience if you rely on just one source of income. Make sure you diversify your income streams by creating multiple revenue streams and monetising your skills and expertise while you're travelling. You can earn extra cash by offering your services as an online freelancer, selling your products and eBooks, and teaching remote classes. As a digital nomad, it will take time to build up your income streams; however, it's important to get started as early as possible.

Conclusion

Being a digital nomad can be challenging, but it can also be a highly rewarding experience. When you're working remotely, it's important to take steps to protect your data and digital assets, streamline your file management, create a healthy work-life balance, and manage your devices while travelling. It can also be helpful to network with fellow digital nomads and diversify your income stream. Working remotely can be challenging, but these tips and tricks can make it easier to succeed as a digital nomad.