A significant number of people have already embarked on a journey. As per data from Project Untethered, the count of American digital nomads stood at 7.3 million in 2019. Fueled by COVID-19, this number witnessed a 49 percent surge in 2020. Presently, there are over 10.9 million digital nomads in the US alone. Founder of NomadList, Pieter Levels, predicts that the world will see a billion digital nomads by 2035.
If you want to work remotely while traveling or you just moved due to low taxes, you need to be well prepared, including worrying about online security. Let’s explore the key areas that those working remotely need to think about. Below we list tips that will help you move freely and work effectively without visiting your office.
#1 Consider Time Zones
When you work remotely, time zones become a crucial consideration. Always be mindful of the time differences between your current location and your clients or team members. Plan your work schedule accordingly, ensuring productive overlap while still allowing yourself to enjoy the local surroundings during off-hours.
To avoid working odd hours or late at night, we prefer to stay within 3 hours of our coworkers. It helps maintain a consistent daily routine similar to home. In case you’re child-free, working odd hours might be more feasible.
#2 Create a Professional Packing List
When considering backpackers, the immediate association may be with soiled garments, unwashed hair, and specialized travel equipment. None of these are particularly suitable for professionals. Nevertheless, it is possible to combine minimalist packing with office-friendly clothing and gear. Scout for lightweight yet high-quality products.
Swap out your hefty laptop for a more portable option like the Macbook Air or a similar device. Invest in power banks and collapsible laptop stands for easy work setup at coffee shops and airport bars. Opt for neutral-colored clothing that appears professional and allows for mix-and-match versatility. A digital nomad’s packing list differs from that of a conventional traveler. Ensure that you strike the right balance between work gear and travel essentials.
#3 Protect Your Devices
To enhance your remote work experience, consider investing in tools that can expand your screen of real estate and provide hand comfort. An example is the Sidetrak monitor, a lightweight and portable option that works seamlessly on both Mac and PC. Despite its smaller size compared to home curved monitors, it has revolutionized remote work while traveling. Also, do not leave your devices unattended.
Another life hack for advanced users that will help you remain anonymous – protect yourself from surveillance. You need to figure out how to make your phone impossible to track or find out other details. If you like the concept of anonymity and privacy, you should use VeePN, which protects against surveillance by companies, search engines, ISPs, and other interested parties.
#4 Embrace Slow Travel
Trying to work becomes increasingly difficult when you attempt to visit and explore numerous places. Taking conference calls on a bus, for example, is far from ideal. Additionally, constantly searching for reliable WiFi in unfamiliar towns poses another challenge. To strike a balance between productivity and enjoyment during your travels, consider adopting a slow travel approach.
By opting for this approach, you’ll have the opportunity to visit fewer places but truly savor each experience. Delve deeper into the essence of vast cities like Tokyo. Renting accommodation every month will also help you save money while ensuring that you find a suitable place equipped for remote work. Furthermore, this approach allows for continual growth in your remote work career, enabling you to finance future trips.
#5 Create a Travel-Friendly Workspace
When it comes to figuring out how to work remotely and travel, one of the key aspects to consider is setting up a functional home workspace. While on the move, it’s often not feasible to bring along your entire home office setup. Instead, you’ll need to plan for a more compact, portable version.
Typically, the bare essentials include a computer, and you may also want to bring along peripherals like a mouse and webcam.
Ensure that your chosen accommodations at your destination have a suitable surface for a desk. Additionally, it’s wise to select a hotel that provides access to printers and scanners for guests. Alternatively, you can opt for accommodations located near co-working spaces, where you can rent the best standing desks for short periods and have access to various office equipment.
Conclusion
The most important thing is to mentally develop the right strategy and tune yourself to the right frequency. This is not a vacation where you have fun and do whatever you need to do. Plus, you may be very distracted by local entertainment or other activities. The right approach and quality preparation are all you need to work effectively from anywhere in the world.
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