2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
Freedom on the job is a dream that can come true. Today we present to you a guest post by internet entrepreneur Jacob Laukaitis, co-founder of ChameleonJohn, SEO and web journalist. Have you dreamed of going free sailing for a long time? We hope this article will be a good source of inspiration for you.
Jacob has refused to waste time sitting in the office, has traveled to 25 countries, calls himself an "online nomad" and works wherever there is a computer and Wi-Fi. He recently wrote a column on Medium about the benefits of a nomadic lifestyle for IT pros. For Lifehacker, members of the community of freelance translators SmartCAT asked Laukaitis additional questions, and he prepared five tips for those who also want to become an “online nomad”.
1. If you don't like sitting in the office from nine to five, it's time to freelance
I think most people choose free bread for the sake of freedom. If you don't like sitting in the office from nine to five, it's time to freelance. If you prefer to work from home, it's time to freelance. If you love traveling, it's time to freelance. Find a way to make your living remotely as soon as possible.
Do the first thing that comes to mind: if you don't like it, you can always switch to something else. Go to Southeast Asia - in my opinion, this is a great place for "online nomads". Life in these countries is incredibly interesting and very cheap (which is important at the first stage, when earnings are small). Even if your job doesn't go well, you will be happy simply because you will always have something to do.
2. Control yourself and your time
In some countries where online nomads live, such as Myanmar, the Internet is very slow. The freelancer must solve this problem on his own: if you took up the job, discussed the terms and the result, you need to overcome the difficulties that arise and keep your word.
Another common problem is that many - especially traveling - freelancers are unable to stay connected. They check their mail once a week, and don't answer Skype calls and phone calls. Even if you do your job well, the client should be sure that you have understood the task correctly and will meet the deadline.
In a relationship with a client, two things determine everything: the ability to show results and maintain a dialogue.
If a freelancer achieves a result, the client will not care about his location, age, education, background, gender, experience and everything else. Clients need reports, explanations and reassurances, and a wise freelancer will keep the employer informed.
It is important to find time every day to do the planned work. Arriving in a new country, people are overwhelmed with impressions and often postpone things until tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or even the next week. The more often you do this, the sooner your online nomad career will end. Put your job first, because it is what allows you to live this lifestyle. If you don't want to go back to the office, don't put it off until later.
The most productive time for me is evening. When I am in Asia, it is convenient for me to work with colleagues from Europe. The beginning of their working day coincides with mine, since I sit at the computer at about 5-6 pm. I try to stay online at all times, because in any business it is important to be in touch. I answer emails almost every day.
3. Pick a business you like and enough excuses
The best project from a business point of view is the one that brings profit from the first day and does not require large financial or time investments.
Now the most profitable area for freelancing is programming, especially if you work for large startup hubs in London, San Francisco or New York, and live in developing countries.
There are many other professions that you can do remotely: translators, copywriters, designers, consultants and other professionals can work for years with clients whom they have never met in person.
4. Technology is your friend
To be honest, I rarely use my phone when traveling, but technology plays an important role in my life. I can hardly do without the Internet, a computer, analytical software and a lot of useful applications: Gmail, Facebook, Skype, and so on.
5. Don't waste time with bad customers
Drive away bad customers (those who do not pay, for example)! Life is too short to spend it working with people who don't respect you and don't keep their word.
Whatever life you choose for yourself, its meaning is to be happy. If you like living in one place with your family most of all, you should do so. If you can't imagine life without travel - go ahead. Personally, I would never trade my lifestyle for anything else.
Recommended:
Why you need to forget about work-life balance and work hard
Former editor-in-chief of Lifehacker Slava Baransky - about why it is not necessary to pretend to be Europeans, being in completely different realities
Everything you need to know about SD memory cards so you don't screw up your purchase
In this article, we'll show you how to choose a memory card to fully cover your needs without overpaying
The ruble collapsed. What you need to know if you don't want to lose your money
It is pointless to panic, it is too late to buy up currency. We will tell you how the collapse of the ruble can affect the Russians and what to do in the current situation
What you need to know about standing work and productivity
The article presents the results of scientific research on how standing work affects the personal effectiveness of employees. Spoiler: very little effect
Why you should work from a cafe, even if you have an office
Why is it worth working from a cafe? More and more companies in Russia and the countries of the former CIS are adopting the practice of introducing a free work schedule without linking work to an office