When I first learned to ride a bicycle, I had training wheels: my dad knew I was going to need some help in order to get used to the idea of balancing on my own. After a few weeks of riding around with my training wheels, my dad adjusted them so that we weren’t actually touching the ground any more, although they were pretty close in case I got a little wobbly. Pretty soon, those training wheels were off and I was peddling down the street.
I know there are kids out there that learn how to ride a bike with no training wheels, but for some of us a gradual process is a little easier to handle. The same can be true of changing your work to the point that you can head to any location that strikes your fancy, without having to worry about how you’re going to pay the bills. With that fact in mind, here are a couple of options for finding your balance on the way to becoming a digital nomad.
1. Go Job Hunting
If you’re like most of the people working towards a location independent lifestyle, you’ve likely been thinking about creating a business you can run while you travel or a telecommuting position that doesn’t require you to work from an office. But there are plenty of overseas jobs you can look at that will give you a starting point for planning for long-term travel. A popular option are the Peace Corps and other non-profits that are always looking for help — but there are also plenty of jobs in every industry, depending on what country you want to see. Try for an international position that will help you move abroad and let you get your bearings with a solid base.
2. Focus On Local Trips
Your travels don’t always have to take you thousands of miles from wherever you call home. If you do have responsibilities that tie you to one location, start exploring the area around you. I’m currently based in Maryland — I can reach half of the U.S. in a day’s drive. Shorter trips to nearby cities and states can make the most of the time you have, while letting you get accustomed to being in a new place. Sure, it may only be a weekend trip if you have a 9-to-5, but it’s progress.
3. Travel For Work
Depending on your employer, you may have travel opportunities at the office. If you can step up for such trips, you can do more than satisfy your wanderlust. You can start building a reputation for being able to get things done on the road and for being self-directed. That sort of reputation can come in handy if you want to convince an employer to let you try telecommuting, especially if you’re planning to work from the other side of the planet.
Interesting tips that can get people thinking about the endless options for having the joys of travel in their life’s.
I could have done with stabilisers for a girlfriend I once tried to teach to cycle, she had never cycled before in her life and she was 30, what a nightmare that was!
@William, I’ve found that a lot of people think that long-term travel is an all or nothing deal. It’s so important to look at the options and fit them to our own schedules.
And you’re a brave man to try to teach an adult to cycle — I don’t imagine that was a particularly easy project.
There seems to be a lot more bring written about Digital Nomad Training. My concept is simply using technology to be location independent, and ore specifically building t online businesses.
I did a Google search on “Digital Nomad Training” to get to this post. I am working online, but still working on the travel aspects.