Want to Travel the World AND Keep Your Job? Here’s How!

Imagine this: You’re sitting at a beachside café in Bali, sipping coffee with your laptop open as the sound of the waves crashes in the distance. Or you might be in a buzzing co-working space in Lisbon, under the company of fellow satellite workers. This is the digital nomad dream — to work from anywhere while seeing the world. The real question, though, behind all those picture-perfect Instagram posts, is how do you actually do it? How can I balance work and travel without burning out or becoming unproductive?



The dream of being a digital nomad goes far beyond breaking free from the 9-to-5; it’s about being RULED — taking charge of your time, space and experiences. Goodbye lengthy commutes and uninspiring cubicles. You’re in charge of your work schedule, structuring your day around your adventures — be it the morning surf, midday hikes or late-night discoveries of eats in a new city.
The ability to be flexible is a major benefit. You determine your own timetable, work when you are most productive and choose where you live based on price, climate or personal preference. Other digital nomads are roaming a few weeks in one country and a few weeks in another. Still others practice “slow travel”, spending months in a location to really absorb the culture.



The digital nomad lifestyle is certainly dreamy, but it also has its own challenges. Here are some of the major challenges faced by the nomads:

Collaborating with clients or teams in wide-ranging time zones can mean bizarre hour meetings and unpredictable start times.

Not every picturesque place has fast internet, and that can make it hard to stay connected and make deadlines.

If your office also doubles as your hotel room, café or beach hut, distinguishing “work” from “play” can be a bit less cut and dry.

It can be hard to forge lifelong relationships if you’re consistently on the move, which can leave us to feel alone.



So what’s the secret to balancing productivity with adventure for successful digital nomads? Here are some tried-and-true strategies for both managing your time and staying focused:

Freedom is great, but too much flexibility can kill productivity. Create a daily schedule that includes focused work sessions, breaks, and time for exploration. Stick to a rhythm that works for you.


Other nomads are great in co-working spaces, while others like to hang out in cafes or their own Airbnb. If you do end up working from home, don’t forget a distraction-free work area and reliable Wi-Fi. Apps like Workfrom and Nomad List can assist with that.


Use productivity tools such as Trello or Asana to track tasks, Zoom or Slack for communication, and time-tracking apps to help you stay accountable. When it comes down to protecting your data on public networks, you will also need a VPN.

Long flights, crossing time zones and broken routines can wreak havoc on your body. Exercise, eat well and get enough sleep. Your productivity (and sanity) will thank you.


Hopping from country to country every few weeks is exhausting. Many nomads discover that settling down for a month or longer enables not just a deeper cultural experience but also work-life balance.


You don’t need to be lonely on the road as a digital nomad. Connect with others who get the lifestyle by joining local meetups or co-living spaces, or sign up online at sites like Nomad List or Meetup.



Due to the inducement of some countries for the digital nomads, remote work continues to be on the rise. Places such as Medellín, Chiang Mai and Lisbon have emerged as magnets for remote workers because they provide good digital infrastructure, affordable living and an enjoyable community.
But this burgeoning movement is not without its hurdles. At some destinations, meanwhile, rising living costs driven by growth in the nomadic segment have created strife with residents. More responsible travel and cultural respect are critical to keeping this lifestyle sustainable for all parties.



Being a digital nomad is not just working from an exotic location but crafting a lifestyle where interest, work and adventure coexist. But balance is everything. Without some structure, travel can be as distracting as any office environment, and without some exploration, work becomes just as routine as a 9-to-5 job.
So if you’re thinking of taking the plunge, or you already are a nomad, do not forget: success in this lifestyle is not working less; it’s working smarter while really enjoying the world. Adventure is out there — go find it, but don’t forget to send that email first!