Becoming a digital nomad can be a fun journey. Although, if you’re starting as a digital nomad, make sure to avoid these common mistakes!
What’s a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is a person who works from a remote location, (sometimes from a coffee shop, library, co-working space or any other space that has a good Internet connection ) but usually doesn’t stay in one place for a long period of time.
Being a digital nomad certainly has its benefits, but unfortunately isn’t always as easy as it seems.
Here are 5 common mistakes digital nomads make that can be easily avoided.
Not planning
Not putting at least a few hours into planning will be one of the biggest mistakes you make as a digital nomad. Everything from your living space, work space to your luggage, visa needs and transport logistics needs to be thoroughly planned to avoid disaster.
Not having a backup internet connection
Having a good internet connection is extremely important due to your entire job relying on it, even though most places have wifi, it still might not be the connection speed you need. Having a backup and staying in a hotel with a good internet connection or staying nearby places with wifi could also make life much easier. You can use speedtest.net to check the connection quality before working from a location.
Not choosing the right locations
As I mentioned earlier, living in a hotel with a good internet connection certainly won’t hurt, but choosing a country is a much bigger and more important decision. It’s better to work from the low cost of living destinations like Thailand, Chiang Mai, and Bali that also provide a reasonably high quality of life. You can check the recommendations made by Nomad List to pick your next destinations.
Having at least a bit of knowledge about the locations that you work from is also always necessary, especially if you’re alone. You can join digital nomad communities and forums to hear what other nomads have experienced. If you’re planning to set base in Bali, you can join our Facebook group here.
”making a list of expenses will save you a fortune
Not budgeting
Saving for a few months before becoming a digital nomad will definitely help you when starting out, especially when you’re short of funds. Limiting and making a list of expenses will save you a fortune and is absolutely necessary.
Not having a schedule
Most people choose the digital nomad lifestyle to escape the usual daily routines, but having a schedule is important if you want to stay productive as a digital nomad. Working too much can negatively affect productivity, therefore, taking time for yourself is mandatory.
