The big question to ask yourself is “Do I want to be a digital nomad or location independence, or both?” First of all, whilst, the differences between digital nomads and location independence are nominal, they are different. As a result they require different skills and areas of focus. For example, a digital nomad uses technology to do their job. While location indepence suggests people travel from one country to another (possibly) without a permanent home or job. Most people who work in jobs that are location-independent are involved in industries such as writing, teaching, and handicrafts.
You have probably heard of both terms and perhaps are considering between being a digital nomad or location independence. Clarifying this will help you focus your priorities, set relevant goals for how you want to live, work, and travel.
Digital Nomad – unpacked
Digital nomads work or have businesses run and maintained online. They utilise the internet to create ongoing income streams. This applies to not only small, medium and large businesses but individuals as well. Nomads tap into a wealth of opportunities based in the digital world. These days it’s much much more accessible than it used to be. With the exponential growth and expansion of digital technology, we, digital nomads, have the opportunity to work from anywhere. Coffee shops, beach bars, trains, co-working offices, parks and even on airplanes!
How travel has changed, and so have we
The evolution of travel has shifted from extended holidays and backpacking adventures to flashpacking, voluntourism and now digital nomadism. We all love to hang out on the beach, drink cocktails all day, but, it gets boring (shocking, but true). At some point in time, our innate need to be productive and produce things rears its head. It doesn’t matter if they’re income streams, artwork, or digital content. We, at some point, will look for structure or routine in our lives. That may involve a few hours of creation / or work, a day, a week and so on. Another key point to keep in mind is that as technology evolves, this lifestyle will get easier, and all the more accessible.
Need inspiration for your digital nomadism?
Tim Ferriss‘s book, the 4hr workweek was a hugely inspiring and motivating starting point for me. It changed the way I thought about what I do, when, where and why. So, using Tim Ferriss’s model for lifestyle design you can create a fantastic online business.
Seth Godin, another marketing and out of the box thinker and writer gives practical, easily applicable content. These tools will help you to up your marketing and improve your business strategy. I started with his book, Purple Cow.
If being a digital nomad doesn’t appeal. Location independence is probably relevant to you.
Location independence is exactly that. The ability to work from where ever you are or to travel for or around work. Location independence is not necessarily reliant on the internet or technology, while digital nomads do. For example, destination wedding planners. Other examples of location independent work include coaches, photographers, writers, buyers, designers, and teachers.
Why would you want to be location independent?
The beauty of location independence is being able to be free of the Monday to Friday 9-5 grind. To be able to work under your own conditions. As Wandering Trader, Marcelo Arrambide says “design your own tomorrow”. Which is exactly what digital nomad or location independence the travel lifestyle enables you to do. Whether you spend the morning diving with whale sharks, exploring temples, or paddling mountain rivers. You can spend your afternoons coaching clients, or writing articles, your work schedule is yours to manage.
In the end, what does digital nomad or location independence mean for travel?
One thing to remember, being a digital nomad or location independent doesn’t mean you have to travel all the time. You can live in your hometown, create the same amount of freedom other digital nomads or location independent entrepreneurs have. So, while travel is great fun, life changing and hugely rewarding, it’s not for everyone, especially if it’s all the time. The idea behind this lifestyle is that it’s your own design, specific to your needs at that moment.
Why do people love this type of travel?
The positives of this type of travel, life and work balance? Digital nomads or location independence often result in a slower travel. Base yourself in various cities or countries for 1-3-6 months (or whatever works for you). Use the time to dive deep into the culture, food, and explore, slowly. Build a framework for your stay, whether it’s going to the same fruit shop or working at the same café. You build relationships and familiarity which help you integrate into the local landscape.
How do I meet people and work? I won’t be in my normal office or work environment where I know people and they know me?
Why does this happen? Whether you’re traveling alone or in a couple, for extended periods of time, you’ll want to meet like-minded people. Locals and / or fellow nomads or entrepreneurs. Co-work locations are popping up all over the place. Which is making it easier to find a base to work from, outside of cafés! Co-work spaces are creating fantastic opportunities to meet interesting people. (Read my post how to manage work on the road for tips on working whilst traveling). They create a space to strike up connections, brainstorm new ideas, bounce concepts off new and often neutral people. Meet fellow entrepreneurs who understand your experiences, whether your industries are related, or not. It’s always good to get a pair of fresh eyes on projects.
Finally, what will you choose?
So, what’s next? You need to plan how you want to work, travel and set goals. And, not goals that you’ll read once and forget about. Now that you’ve got an idea of what it means to be a digital nomad or location independence. Which will you choose, and why?
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Do you need help getting those ideas onto paper and into action? Download our FREE life recipe workbook and start creating your digital nomad or location independent life, now!
