There has never been a better time to become a ‘digital nomad’. Working remotely, or what many refer to as ‘working online’, is something anyone can do. However, not all systems or processes work for everyone. There are job options for you based on your current skill set, and once you determine some of your skills and the needs they meet, you can then decide how to capitalize on them in the online environment. You can be a consultant; you can write, edit, and ghost write; you can sell services as a channel partner or agent. You can even sell products as a dropshipper, or create your own products, or service. You can also become a coach, or teach seminars or languages.
The first thing you will need to do is decide what you want to do while you travel the world. What will allow you to sit on the beach while taking your work calls or answering emails? What do you envision doing while you sip a cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe anywhere in the world? What will bring you the most amount of income, with the highest amount of pleasure and the most amount of reward?
If you have a job now, take a week off and think about what you have to offer and how you want to offer it. Write everything down. This is most effective if you really step away and spend time alone, so if you’re more introverted go to a cabin in the woods or a quiet town, and give yourself a place where you can be creative. If you’re extroverted, take a walk to your favorite crowded places, or wherever you feel inspired and find creativity. Spend one week only on this.
Take out some paper and pen and really think. What are your skills? Write them down on one page of paper. Now, on a separate page of paper, write down all the things you enjoy doing. On a third sheet of paper, write down all the things on that list that your current job provides you. If you don’t have a job, then write down what past jobs have provided you from this list.
You now have three lists; what you’re good at, what you like to do, and what the job or jobs have provided you. For example:
What I’m good at
- Cooking
- Organizing
- Caring for others
- Problem solving
What I like to do
- I like to make new recipes
- I like to keep my house clean
- I like time with grandmother
- I like solving puzzles
- I like to walk in the forest
What my job provides
- I’m able to make plans
- I have a desk I can keep tidy
- I have time off on weekends
- I solve challenges at work
Do this for a few days, then brainstorm things you could do working for yourself. Make a separate list of all the ideas you come up with. What you would like to do? Do you want to stay put, or move around? If the latter sounds appealing, determine how much money you will need to travel. Think about the things you can do while moving around. After you have done all this reflection, it’s time to think seriously about whether your job meets your needs. If it does, can it evolve into a freelance position, or channel partnership? Would your job let you do what you do remotely? If not, then it’s time to find a new job that can, or will train you to learn everything you need to take the steps to work while traveling.
- Find a job or position that will teach you the skills you need, including the skills that match with what you’re good at, what you enjoy, and what you are already comfortable doing. This is a longer term plan, you can work this job for three years to get to the level where you can freelance, work with them as a remote agent, or partner. Master the extra skills and connections while taking less chances on someone else’s dime. It’s easier and much smoother to go this route. Work one year learning as much as you can about all aspects of the business. Figure out what aspects of the business are enjoyable to you, but that others don’t really want to do. Make sure that those things can’t be automated by technology by keeping up with trends in the industry. Take technology very seriously; if you make a plan to do something that AI can automate soon, then you’ll be out of work. You have time, there is no hurry. You need to fully understand what you can do that others don’t want to do, while matching your skill set and what you enjoy.
- Your second year is all about networking, you are still working normally, it’s been 1 year of learning everything you need to learn. Organize a binder with all the steps you will need to work the position you’ve decided you want to work remotely. While networking collect contacts of people who can be clients, friends, support systems, mentors and advocates. keep track of them as you go along. You can do this on your phone and computer, but also keep something visual with all those business cards. It’s helpful to have your contacts’ pictures, their jobs titles, industry and details about their work, including their hobbies, when their birthdays are and family information. Depending on your interests and what you plan to do, these can be important reminders to help you build relatability and key relationships, so keep all relevant information that you may need.
Now that you’re properly knowledgeable about what you want and what you’re doing, if relevant, ask your management permission to attend some company trade shows and go out on your own to industry events and networking events. Do fantastic work at your job, but now it’s time to add extra evening hours for mingling and making the connections you will need. Read my post about Build a Network that Works for You, Networking Online, to help meet people. One of my favorite books about networking is Never Eat Alone. I love the section on the people he refers to as Super Connectors, I’m always looking for these sorts of people. You will find that life is a whole lot smoother when you have people on your side who know everyone.
- It’s near the end of your second yeah, you have been working for two years at your job and have learned a lot. You have gone to at least three networking events a week, additionally you had coffee or lunch with a few people a week. You must be tired, but you had a lot of fun, and now you know if you want to quit, if you’re going to, or don’t like the job you chose, then now is the time to go back to step one. It’s ok – don’t be too hard on yourself. Go back to that one week of thinking and let it be easy, no pressure you have plenty of time. I promise you that it’s better to know now that you don’t want to do something and step out now, if you keep going it only gets worse. Read Focus on Your Strengths. If you do still enjoy the industry and want to continue on this path then it’s time to get tough on what you’re doing.
It’s business plan time. Read about how to write a business plan with these: Business Plan is a Life Plan Quick Start Business Plan- 5 Questions to Ask .
It’s time to be very critical. What are the worst-case scenarios, and can you handle them? What will be the solutions to the problems?
- It’s your third year and you have a business plan, an idea in mind and a whole year of networking to refer to. It’s the time to start saving your money! Go back to all those people you met and find a fantastic mentor, they need to be at least twenty years older than you, successful and the type of people who like to help. If possible, choose someone of the same gender and sexual orientation as you, as it’s easier this way. Ask lots of fun questions and make real genuine friends. You will need to save, budget and create a financial plan which will reduce all non-essential spending. Make cuts wherever you can, if you’re single, stop all dating, and if you’re married, tell your partner that this year is going to be about frugality.
By now, you’re likely well known in the company you work for, and you should have a good reputation. Maintain all work expectations for those 8-10 hours a day you are paid for. While on breaks and off work it’s your time, as for breakfast, lunch, and dinner you need to schedule with friends you met at events. Be careful with what you can handle, but ideally we are thinking 3 hours of meals and an extra hour for a walk, or coffee, that’s going to be a full 14-16 hour day to make next year happen. Make sure you have time for rest on the weekends, no networking unless it’s recharging for you like someone’s birthday party, or something fun. You will need to have plenty of rest after those busy weeks.
- Year three is almost over and you’re going over the year’s goals, after a year of saving money and attending events, you should have an idea of four to ten people who could be clients. These are people you know quite well and trust, don’t share your plan yet. You also have a contact book of people who will make your transition easier; all sorts of connections relevant to what you’re going to do, you have a mentor and some great friends in the industry.
You have saved money and are ready to leave your job. You will clear everything off your work computer that you’re going to need slowly, do it slowly so that you don’t forget anything. All that training stuff to remind you, take your notes and details that you will need. Don’t steal from your employer. Never steal your employer’s clients. If you can’t use personal email and you may be tracked if you use a flash drive, take pictures on your personal mobile. Do this when people can’t see you so that there is no impression that you’re stealing.
Being ethical in what you take is not just because you want to do the right thing, your employer will ideally become a client. Politely give your two-week notice while letting your colleagues know that you’re taking another position. After those two weeks are up, if you don’t have a non-compete clause or any other legal agreement that prohibits you from starting, then it’s time to meet with all your top connections to get started.
You are ready, set up one-on-one coffees and lunch meetings to discuss the ‘how’, but keep your plan to yourself. Speak vaguely as if you don’t have a full plan yet; the only people who need to know you are ready are the ones you can trust. Be careful not to share too much. Over the course of a month, slowly share your business idea and the type of clients you will need to get started. Reach out the people you know would be good clients and start getting the few you will need. Do an exceptional job for them, and then ask them for referrals. Spend six months on this, and then reach out to your prior employer to ask if they would become a client. Once you have the income you know you will need for full time travel then put in notice when your lease ends, organize your affairs, and get organized with what you’ll need for life on the road, or air.
Quick tips to add:
Don’t let any of your colleagues know you’re leaving the company to start a new business. They won’t get it, and it will only create difficulties. Don’t overshare, or let anyone at your networking events know you want to go off on your own. You work for and represent your employer, if you want them as a client then show integrity now. When you have resigned from your employer and are starting out then you can share.
Read your employee documents very well, see an attorney if you know one, make sure you don’t have non-compete clauses. Be aware of all details and be stealthy, you never know who may be watching you and looking for an opportunity to take your idea.
Your friends and family are wonderful, but not always supportive, they don’t need to know yet. You can tell them when you are already done and ready to get it going. If one of your parents is good with business then share the business plan, but not the details of it all. It’s good to have eyes on it, you want to make sure you have a supportive bubble around you. The only person you can share everything with is your spouse. It’s going to be hard, but, you made some big shortcuts these three years so be grateful for all you have. Be wise, be careful, and have fun.
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