While working remotely is nothing new, the idea of widespread, completely remote work in the long term is a relatively new phenomenon. Digital nomads are people who work completely remotely and are not tied down to a single home office, allowing them to travel around the world throughout the year, all while working! A digital nomad can work in a coffee shop in Italy one month, and on the beach in Hawaii the next. But to live this jet-setting lifestyle does require some preparation, and lots of tech gear to support your work wherever you go. Read on to discover more about the digital nomad lifestyle, and what gear you will need to live this lifestyle successfully.
What Is a Digital Nomad? And How Do I Become One?
By working totally remotely, digital nomads are able to work without the restrictions of the average 9 to 5 job. Aside from not being tied to any one location, they can also work outside of typical hours. They choose to work when they want and take breaks when it’s convenient. Many digital nomads work in the tech sector, but there are many other options available to make money online. From remote personal assistants to freelance work, to remote customer service positions, many skills can be transferred over to a remote role. The digital nomad community is growing, and articles with tips from other digital nomads like this one from CNBC can help start you off on the right foot.
Digital nomads have the world at their fingertips, and you can too! While you can technically work anywhere, It’s important to select a good location in terms of cost of living, things to do, safety, and accommodation options. Nomad List is a popular website that breaks down hundreds of cities around the world in terms of livability — specifically for digital nomads! When making the switch to a nomadic lifestyle, it’s important to have a plan surrounding your work. Does your current job offer completely remote work? Or will you be transitioning to a new role? Maybe consider starting your own remote business! As we will discuss next, your specific job will dictate what gear you will need to have, so you’ll need to know your long-term working plan.
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Understand What Gear You Need for Your Niche
With technology taking off so quickly, our world is getting smaller. All you need is a stable internet connection and video conferencing software to meet face-to-face with anyone, anywhere in the world! But depending on your specific niche as a digital nomad, your needs regarding what tech gear you’ll require will vary. As a remote business owner, you’ll need very different gear than as a streamer or YouTuber. With any fully remote job, you can expect to be working at your home or hotel, in coffee shops and shared workspaces, and even in your car. If you really want to be on the go, and your remote niche allows it, tech gear like RAM computer mounts can allow you to secure your device to work in your vehicle or on a boat.
With all of this being said, there are many standard items that all digital nomads will require to comfortably and efficiently work remotely while traveling or living abroad.
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Docking Stations and Universal Adapters
Docking stations are absolute must-have tech accessories for any digital nomad. As a remote worker, you may have many tech accessories and devices that you need to use all at once. Keeping them all charged and organized in your workspace can be a challenge. We all know that an organized and optimized workspace is crucial to our productivity, and great docking stations from trusted brands can help. So what does a docking station actually do? When added to your home or on-the-go office setup, universal docking stations allow you to connect multiple monitors, USB devices, power cables, and more, all to one dock. You’ll enjoy optimized functionality like a desktop, without having to purchase one.
Another must-have is a universal adapter. Universal adapters make it possible to connect the power supply to multiple devices, all in one place. When traveling as a digital nomad, universal adapters can modify to the specific type of electrical outlet and the level of power supply that must be converted to properly and safely charge a device.
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Home Office Supplies
No matter where your digital nomad lifestyle takes you, you’ll always need to have a home base stocked with work-from-home accessories wherever you are. While your laptop comes everywhere with you, this home base will be the home for most of the tech accessories that you won’t be needing all day, every day. These basic accessories should include a Bluetooth keyboard, docks, stands for your devices, a great webcam, and a wireless mouse. If your home base is somewhere a bit less conventional, such as a car, RV, or a boat of any kind, a complete RAM computer mount kit with everything you need in one package can allow you to work literally anywhere and take your nomadic lifestyle to the next level. The possibilities are endless!
Travel-Ready Tech Transport
After you’ve gathered all of the tech gear you’ll need to be an efficient and successful digital nomad, you’ll need some transportation solutions to carry all of these must-haves! Invest in a great travel backpack with a secure laptop sleeve. Get some pouches to keep your cords and cables organized. And find a reliable, modern, briefcase-style bag that can take you from the hotel room to a coffee shop.
The digital nomad lifestyle is pretty amazing. As more and more people are opting for completely remote work and joining this movement towards total working freedom, it’s easier than ever to transition to this lifestyle and find a community to help you along the way. With all of the right tech gear on hand, your digital nomad lifestyle can be everything you’ve dreamed of and more. Good luck!
