How to solve a Digital Nomad’s Challenges

I have been traveling around the world for half a year while working for VMP. And yes, it really is as great as it sounds. In this blog post I want to share my experiences with you: How do you keep a line of communication open with your employer, so you don’t lose touch? How do you develop a travel schedule that suits both you and your employer? How do you stay productive as a digital nomad?

My current working solution brings added value – both for me (the digital nomad) and for VMP as my employer. When the workload is heavy at the office, VMP is happy to outsource “work packages” to me. As for me, I am motivated and I work efficiently when I am traveling, which benefits VMP as well. So it makes good business sense to keep me on as an employee – it would have been time-consuming and costly to hire a replacement.

Tip 1: First, take a break
For most people, thinking about work while on vacation is a definite no-no. You just want to unwind and ideally you don’t want to hear from your boss. That was how I approached the first month, and that’s why I would advise you to take time out for the first 2-3 weeks. The start of your trip is a period of upheaval: every situation is new, and you first need to learn to navigate this new way of life. But after that I found it really helped to get in touch again. I wanted to show that I was still “alive” and ready to work with renewed motivation.

Tip 2: Keep your eye on the ball with an office ally

In my experience, it is best to have someone in the team to act as your eyes and ears. This person will always be on the lookout for potential work for the digital nomad. It’s an arrangement that gives the globetrotting employee the positive feeling of still being part of the team. It also reminds the team back in the office that they can outsource work to me.

Tip 3: Develop a routine

Take your laptop to the beach, do some work every now and then, dive into the sea from time to time… sounds fantastic, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Schedule your working days so that the employer, the team and you know when you are working and when you are not. That way, the team knows how to reach you and you can plan your trip properly. Because even when traveling it helps to have a rough idea of your plans for the week ahead.

Tip 4: Find a workspace where you can be productive

“Can you really be productive when you’re on a round-the-world trip?” I have often been asked this question by other travelers. My answer: “Of course, because the world is waiting outside the door and I want to get out and discover it!” Whenever I fire up my laptop and complete a task, I get the feeling that it would have taken me much longer back in Switzerland. But there are various reasons for this. For a start, I always receive clearly defined assignments that I can deal with straightaway. I have also eliminated all those mini breaks from my day, I don’t chat with my colleagues and I don’t have to sort through all the office mail.

I always look for a good place to work, for example a coworking space – where you can easily buy a day pass – or a quiet café with fast Wi-Fi. If you have trouble concentrating in a café, I would recommend a coworking space. They always have a creative, focused vibe. The more efficiently I work, the sooner I can head off and explore… and this really spurs me into action.

Driving my motivation

I looked for my dream job and I found it. I love event management and all it involves. That is why I wanted to keep working during my travels around the world and not give up my job. But during the trip, working for VMP took on a whole new meaning.

When traveling, you are constantly plunged into new situations, and you don’t always know what’s going to happen from one moment to the next. Work, on the other hand, is something familiar and it gives me a feeling of security when I travel. Working while traveling gives me a huge kick. Before it sometimes seemed a burden. But the feeling of getting some work done, closing my laptop and venturing out into a new city inspires me to open up my laptop every day. I am convinced that this has had a positive effect on my work ethic which means added value to my employer.

To summarize:

Take the first few weeks off to adjust to your new circumstances.
Contact your employer regularly and look for a trusted person in the team to be your eyes and ears.
Plan your working days and let the team know.
Find a good workspace with reliable Wi-Fi and a quiet atmosphere.
Your motivation and productivity will take a positive turn.

“ One must travel, to learn ” – Mark Twain