When I look at the Lifestyle Projects that people share on this blog, there is a common theme of wanting to quit the 9-5. People have many reasons for wanting to do this, and it is not necessarily that people don’t want to work, it’s more about escaping the confines of the 9-5 environment and being free to live anywhere, work when you choose and be your own boss. As I transition to travel based blogging, and look towards my own break away, I have come across a variety of phrases such as digital nomad, location independent or flashpacker. The bottom line is that there are all people who work (usually online), but on not confined to a single office, desk or even country.
So you’ve made the decision that you want to transition into such a lifestyle. Unfortunately it won’t just happen overnight. By choosing to become location independent you have already realised that you will be working whilst changing your home location. This is probably for a number of reasons, but mainly because you understand that you are going to have to earn money to eat, and because you want to run your own business and hopefully will enjoy doing it. Just because you can’t start the location independent lifestyle overnight, doesn’t mean that you can’t start to make progress towards living that lifestyle now.
Here are 5 ways you can begin your location independent lifestyle today.
1. Brainstorm Ideas.
You need to come up with a business that will support you. To do this you need to understand that the work you will be doing requires the need to be remote and be able to work around the globe with clients in different time-zones. I would suggest that you should see these elements as opportunities rather than constraints. With this in mind jot down all of your skills and take a look at what products and services your location independent business should be able to offer. Think about what you enjoy doing and where you talents lie.
2. Build your Online Presence.
There is nothing stopping you registering a domain and knocking up a quick website (or hiring someone else to do it for you on a site such as Elance), to get you started. This will enable you to do a few things. First there is the psychological edge that you have a business to run. It will enable you to start practising the elements of running the business without quitting your day job. Secondly, you will be able to test markets and any work you do take on will be an important lesson in time management which will stand you in good stead when your next meal depends on it.
3. Build your Business Plan.
Start your business plan today. A business plan – if done correctly – is an evolving document that not only sets out the framework for your business, but also evolves with it. Focusing on getting this important document done (which many business owners neglect) will focus your mind on what you want to achieve and enable you to start ironing out and issues and refining your business offering now whilst you have all the resources you need available to you.
4. Research Potential Locations now.
Start researching locations now, even if you aren’t planning to go there anytime soon. This will make you aware of how to research accommodation and the office facilities that go with them. Make a few calls, try and get used to communicating with other cultures and whet your appetite for the lifestyle you are working towards. Build up knowledge of where to find this kind of information and the things to look out for.
5. Be Frugal.
In the initial stages of your location independent lifestyle, as you build up a client base, and also later on with any changes in the economy or seasonal demand, there will be times when you have less spare cash. Adapt this way of thinking into your lifestyle now, so that it becomes second nature down the line. Once you take the plunge you won’t need many of the possessions you have now, so ask yourself if you really would want to carry that extra gadget etc. For an extreme exercise in this aspect of the lifestyle pack up all your belongings in a suitcase and set yourself a budget. Try and live within that budget and only use items in that suitcase for a couple of weeks and see how it takes your fancy.
Whilst your mobile lifestyle may not be here yet, you can certainly start living the lifestyle now and preparing for the road ahead.
What tips do you have to start your journey to independence?
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another tip besides getting frugal is eliminating expenses you do not need. I got rid of 2 $450.00 a month cars and bought two beater cars. I know save over $1000 a month! That allows me to avoid going back to the corporate world and that is priceless.
Minimal expenses, a reserve fund and the willingness to be frugal are key. Shoot for zero debt and a few thousand bucks reserve before you attempt this. Or have a spouse/partner/family that can cover you financially if you hit a bump! Self-discipline and being able to self-start also are totally key. Time management is critical; yes, you can run errands during the day, but it may mean you’re working til 9 at night to finish your work.
Also consider: The actual moving from one place to another – the nomadry part- takes time away from working. If you travel during the day, be okay with working at night or on a weekend to keep up.
It’s really much easier than it seems. If it’s your dream, the things you need to give up are not a sacrifice, merely a compromise, and the payoff is soooo worth it. We’ve been on our working road trip for over 2 years.
http://www.trans-americas.com
Good post! There is a lot to do to prepare and it is really the hardest phase after committing.
We are into our 3rd year of an open ended world tour as a family and we took many years to prepare. After we sold our house in 2005 ,we took a year to do nothing but prepare and it went incredibly fast.
Start getting rid of “stuff”. We are frugal types, not consumer types and we still had a TON of things to go through and sell. For a free life, you really need VERY few things, so start researching how to get the best price ( ebay often) and start the process.
Read about others who have done it and make a plan that makes sense for you. I came up with a unique plan that has worked wonderfully for us, but it was based on LOTS of different free lifestyles then tweaked to fit our particular needs.
Here is a post filled with links that will help!
http://www.soultravelers3.com/2008/06/how-to-do-exten.html
Carpe Diem! We only wish we had done this sooner!
Soultravelers3’s last blog post..3 Lonely Planet Nominations!
Great topic and article. I’d add: You can’t start looking at your tech needs too early. From figuring out how you’ll get wifi on the road to choosing a telephony plan, start checking out available options early. I just found this phone plans article really useful: http://matadorgoods.com/five-international-phone-plans/
I’ve recently done #1, #2, and #3, and have done #5 for a long time. Today, I took the steps for making #4 a reality by entering a lifelong dream contest, so if you have time, please help me on my way to a digital nomadic lifestyle, California Dreamin’.
Thank you so much for the ideas.
@Jay – That’s exactly the type of thing I’m thinking of. We all need to making the decision of what is the most important to us – keeping up with the Jone’s or freedom from financial burden. Great comment.
@Helena B – Excellent points – thanks for the insight.
@K Catchpole & E Mohl – Wow! That’s quite a journey you guys are doing. Glad to here it is paying off for you. Very motivating.
@Souttravelers3 – Thanks for stopping by. I think the key thing that you mention is that you wish you had done this sooner. That’s what I’m shooting for – not living in regret.
@LisaNewton – Sounds like you’re well on your way well done. Of course I’ll give you a vote! Heading over there now.
@Julie – Thanks for stopping by to comment! Great useful link.
Hey Chris,
Great post! Great blog!
I’d like to suggest a way to completely skip all 5 steps, and that’s to find a business that 1) already has products, 2) an online presence, and 3)a proven business model. These kinds of businesses are out there. And I’m not talking about the penny-ante multi-level stuff. Real businesses. My husband and I found one and just plug and play anywhere in the world. The key is simply doing your due diligence to determine if the business is right for you.
My husband and I are devoted LUXURY digital nomads. Being frugal was simply something that we weren’t interested in. We are currently on an open-ended world life tour and are focused on living our lives NOW, not later.
Thanks for your inspiration!
Karla’s last blog post..Life in the City by the Bay
@Karla – that all sounds awesome well done. I hadn’t considered purchasing an already established business as an option – It’s certainly something I’ll look in to.
Thanks for a great post. I am in the mid of trying to find a mobile business and you and other comments provided helpful tips. Developing the business plan was a new idea to read about and actually an important one.
@Lilliy – There is a saying “failing to plan is planning to fail” – I think planning whatever you are going to do, whether in business or life is very important. Good luck with you nomad aspirations.