18 lessons I learned from a digital nomad more experienced than me

It is always useful to learn what our future life is like

Life has some funny coincidences. A Brazilian nomad named Matheus de Souza has been on the road since 2015. My full name is MATEUS Luiz Camillo de SOUZA.

Matheus de Souza has a book on digital nomadism that is a reference, “Nômade Digital: um guia para você viver e trabalhar como e onde quiser" (Digital Nomad: a guide for you to live and work as and wherever you want), a finalist for an important award in Brazil.

While reading his book, I learned things that I will carry with me forever in my life.

1. If we are dissatisfied with our work, we need to change. Stop complaining. You will need planning and courage. Just don't let "life pass you by an office window".

2. Do not fool yourself with "success stories" of those who "dropped everything" and now work four hours a week on a heavenly beach in Thailand. Delighted cases are often full of maquillage. Although the balance is generally positive, there is a lot of adversity along the way. And dropping everything is only an option if you are an heir. Remembering point 1, "planning" first, then "courage".

3. In one of my first texts in this newsletter, I said that age doesn't matter much when trying to live a more flexible life. Maybe I needed to be convinced of what I wrote, but in his book, Matheus reports encounters with digital nomads who discovered this life in their 60s. I got lucky, and I was right.

4. Digital nomadism is new, made possible by notebooks and the internet. But people who were never content with being or working in one place have always existed.

5. Working by projects, not hours, is possible and often more efficient.

6. Start. Get started. Run another project, do some freelancing in your free time, arrange a meeting with someone who inspires you, go to a bar with a friend, and discuss how to change your life. But start.

7. It's okay if you change your area of ​​expertise a little. It may be that what you do today doesn't mesh well with the way of life of a remote digital nomad. But if that's your dream, attempt new careers. Think about what you can be useful for. For example, there's a lot in computers and information technology, data science, etc. I know people who started working after a few courses for a few months. There is a massive shortage of professionals in these areas.

8. Regardless of your choice, there are many other ways to earn money from your knowledge. If you are exceptionally good at a topic, write a guide, or an ebook, create an online course, record a webinar, launch a YouTube channel, and have a paid newsletter. Bet on info products.

9. Bet on networking. Participate in events, hand out cards, publicize your products and services, and comment (with content and without gimmicks) on publications by people you deem interesting. Doors will open.

10. Complementing the point above, use LinkedIn. There is a network of business and professional contacts. If you don't like LinkedIn, never mind. After all, self-promotion exists on any network, right? Enjoy the ideal side of LinkedIn.

11. Learn to calculate your working hours efficiently. When you know how to price this, it will speed up a lot to close deals.

12. Consistency is the core of any business. Few people or projects grow in a short time. If you have an idea that you think is good (since you've done an exhaustive evaluation), keep going.

13. A nomad has to deal with several bureaucracies when living in several countries. How to start a business? Where do I pay taxes? Which domicile to use? Some countries encourage the entry of digital nomads with special visas and the facilitation of documents. Search a lot.

14. A digital nomad needs to be disconnected from material things and financially organized.

15. Depending on the country you are living in and the country you are serving in, the time zone can be an ally or an enemy. Plan yourself.

16. Know the cost of living where you intend to live in for a while and compare it with others.

17. When buying clothes, bags, cell phones, notebooks, in short, anything that is useful for your life as a digital nomad, think about minimalism (will I really need it?) and efficiency (I can pay a little more, but will it last longer? It's worth it.)

18. Know what kind of nomad you want to be and know that you will have to live with loneliness for many moments. Are you willing to spend much time away from family and friends?

Reading a book that inspires us makes us think we are on the right path. And you, what do you recommend about digital nomadism and flexible working?