01 Mar How To Become a Digital Nomad and Reap the Benefits of Business Ownership

As most entrepreneurs will tell you, one of the biggest perks to owning a business is that you get to call the shots. Don’t feel like working a nine-to-five schedule? You don’t have to! Want to take an extended working vacation? You can!

What Is a Digital Nomad?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread adoption of remote work, flexible, non-traditional work habits have become much more acceptable. So much so, in fact, that there’s even a word for the group of people who travel full-time and work remotely: digital nomads.

How To Live as a Digital Nomad

Although modern technology and circumstances have made it easier than ever to become a digital nomad, shifting to an all-remote, nomadic lifestyle still requires some planning and preparation. Before you pack your bags and throw your couch in storage, be sure to consider these essential steps:

Establish Good Systems for Your Business. As an entrepreneur, you need to make sure that your business is compatible with your new lifestyle. If your company is a one-man operation, or if your team is used to working on a remote basis, then no problem. However, if you’re making the switch to a digital nomad lifestyle while the rest of your team is remaining in a brick-and-mortar office, then you’ll need to do some work to make sure that transition is as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

The best way to do this will depend on your particular business and the number of employees you have. Some ideas include installing a trusted supervisor who can handle day-to-day matters in your absence. Alternatively, codify and digitize company workflows to ensure that you can stay tuned in to all the metrics you need to.

Figure Out the Practicalities. #VanLife is all fun and games until you lose internet signal, or you realize that working on spreadsheets without a dual monitor setup gives you migraines.

Before you embark, be sure to consider all the things you’ll need to continue doing your job comfortably from the road. Does your destination have reliable WiFi? Will your phone support international calls, if necessary? Will your working hours allow you to still take meetings without having to wake up (or stay up) in the middle of the night? Will you be able to easily travel back to your company’s home base for important events?

Take Off the Rose-Colored Glasses. A lot of people go into digital nomadism with expectations that are more fueled by Instagram than reality. Don’t expect that your workload will suddenly decrease just because you’re in Bali, or that there won’t be growing pains as you adjust to your new workflow.

Plan for the Future. As an entrepreneur, considering the future is nearly, if not equally, as important as reacting to the present. If you have plans to scale your company, will your new lifestyle support that? Do you feel comfortable hiring remotely? Think about where you want yourself and your business to be in the short- and long-term future, and how your life as a digital nomad will fit into that. If you’re not already, consider working with a mentor who can help you find creative solutions to both your professional and personal goals.

EO New York (EONY) is dedicated to helping high-achieving entrepreneurs thrive. EONY is a chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, a global network that includes over 17,000 influential business owners from more than 60 countries. As one of the leading online mentor communities for entrepreneurs, we give our members the resources, support, and tools they need to learn and grow. Our offerings include online entrepreneur forums, educational programs, networking events, mentorship opportunities, and more. Contact us for more information on how we can help you take your business to the next level, or apply to join today.