It is becoming increasingly common to talk about digital nomads – those who live traveling and working at the same time, reaping the benefits of remote work from anywhere in the world, using nothing more but the Internet and a computer as their main tool to sell products or knowledge.

But is it really possible to carry out this idea of traveling and working somewhere under a palm tree? While it certainly is, remote work also comes with certain challenges.

MYTHS 

1. Remote work means work overload 

The nature of remote work has meant that for many the workload is now worse than ever, but the truth is that work overload can happen in any circumstance, whether at home, traveling, or in the office. Even as a digital nomad, it is fundamental to assign a schedule for both personal and professional activities as a means to distinguish and separate them. 

If you continue having a heavy workload maybe you should review tools for time management, pick a place free of distractions, establish times and structures of work and then, share those with your teammates. 

2. Becoming a digital nomad is easy, fast, and you will make loads of money

Being a digital nomad does not necessarily mean that your income will increase. Some of the main factors that play a key role in achieving higher earnings are your skillset, the industry in which you work, and the salaries that are offered for positions similar to your own. 

For freelancers and independent workers – or if you manage an undefined long-term work relationship–, the truth is that the money will reflect the quality of the work you produce regardless of where you are.

3. It is possible to work from anywhere in the world

In short, no. Even though the idea of working at the beach might sound brilliant, your computer will be filled with sand, the wind will damage your audio and the brightness of the sun will not allow you to see the screen. To work remotely, it is highly important to find a place with excellent internet velocity, perfect silence, a functional internet connection, and a comfortable chair. 

Furthermore, you would also need to separate your work from your leisure. Ultimately it is you who decides how to organize your days, but in order to avoid distractions and lose concentration, you must do this effectively. If you are unsure of how well you can accomplish this then you can give it a go for a few months – there is no obligation to be a digital nomad your whole life. 

4. You need a lot of money if you want to become a digital nomad

This is also wrong. Staying in a five-star hotel while traveling is not necessary, and neither is going to an expensive city, even more so if you plan to spend more than a month in a specific city. 

As a suggestion, mapping out a budget based on the country, length of stay, cost of living, health insurance, foreign exchange, visas, Covid-19 passports, and transportation modalities, will help you get a proper idea of expenses.

5. Digital nomads are always young people

Anyone can be a digital nomad regardless of their age, country, or profession. The vast majority of industries today are offering options to work remotely and the only common characteristics of nomads are that they are adventurous, keen to try new things, and tend to have a high level of risk. Although these characteristics are often present in the younger generations, that doesn’t mean it’s a rule.

TRUTHS

1. Companies are willing to do whatever it takes to have the best talent, including adapting working teams for digital nomads

The world-class companies you dreamt of working with are now closer to you than ever before, thanks to remote work, and are offering promising careers. These companies not only now provide everything for your migration (visa and passport), but also actively encourage your career to grow personally and professionally through international travel, allowing you to live your dreams while developing ambitious work projects. 

In that sense, being a digital nomad permits you to create brand new connections with bold people and innovative companies. Through traveling and meeting new people in your industry, you can receive a rich knowledge transfer, learn how to innovate, and apply good practices in your own life.

2. Flexibility is the digital nomad’s best ally

Being able to work at any time you decide and from where you want gives you the ability to choose what lifestyle you want to live. Being a digital nomad and working for a company that understands how to empower its team alongside asynchronous work allows you to adapt your work with the rest of your life and not the other way around.

It is more important than ever to find the right balance between work and play and make time for those other activities that keep our minds and bodies healthy: exercise, personal projects, family, etc. The flexibility of working remotely allows these activities to slot into your day much more easily, but discipline is still the key to making it all fit together.

3. Digital nomads are creating an enormous impact on the economy 

Thanks to Covid-19 and the growth of remote work, there are now more benefits for work tourism and long-stay nomads. As a result, there is an accelerated innovation in the industry, more stability in revenues by avoiding many off-seasons, and new profitability models that were previously difficult to imagine. 

Likewise, digital nomads are also helping to boost the economy in smaller cities by investing in the tourism industry and resources. In turn, these places can begin to take hold of the growing innovation that entrepreneurs demonstrate in their day-to-day lives, from the use of technology to problem-solving. All this contributes to the acceleration of the socio-economic evolution in previously marginalized populations. 

4. Moving too much might be tiring

We all enjoy traveling, but doing it for a long period without a pause can negatively affect productivity as a consequence of lack of rest, long hours, and navigating new and unfamiliar places. Choose your travel journey and your stays carefully and make sure you always have a good night’s sleep.  

5. A digital nomad needs to be a good planner 

Planning is essential. From transport, budget, workplaces, and internet, to health insurance and language, there is a lot to consider when working and traveling. It can be a challenging task. If you don’t feel prepared for these logistics, it is best to avoid this lifestyle.

In short, being a digital nomad allows you to travel, work, and live where you choose. Enjoy new adventures, meet new people, and experience different cultures without having to leave your job or your income. But it also brings a lot of challenges and you need to be prepared. 

DEEL allows companies to hire, pay, and automatize the management of remote teams. As a result, the company has learned about some of the greatest challenges and benefits of being a digital nomad.

For more tips about life as a digital nomad, check out some of DEEL’s blog posts about how to get the most from your lifestyle. 

This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)