What Are the Challenges of Being a Digital Nomad?

The internet has been a liberating force in many arenas, allowing individuals and businesses to operate without the restrictions that existed in the era before superfast connectivity.

Because of this, a new generation of digital nomads has arisen, with close to half of millennial workers now taking advantage of a more flexible approach to employment.

Such a lifestyle is not without its pressures and pitfalls, so here is a look at some of the key challenges that prospective digital nomads will need to overcome if they want to make it in this brave new world of work.

Internet Access

First and foremost the lifeline of any digital nomad is a reliable internet connection. But if you plan to work from a number of different locations, especially while travelling, you may encounter issues when trying to find adequate Wi-Fi coverage.

This is exacerbated by the fact that many public hotspots will be overloaded with other users, bringing connection speeds to a crawl. And security issues are rife, even if most people are not concerned about the level of protection they are afforded when working remotely, according to the latest survey from Verizon.

These obstacles can be overcome by switching to cellular networks for data connectivity. You can either tether your smartphone and piggyback on its 4G coverage, or invest in a separate USB dongle which has dedicated mobile web access available.

This approach is not only more secure, but also means that you can use a local SIM to get online, with cheaper data rates and more consistent coverage in many parts of the world.

Payroll Management

Creating and coordinating a team remotely is relatively straightforward, with a wealth of tools available to those with an entrepreneurial spirit who want to get their latest project off the ground. But when it comes to making sure that all of these geographically disparate employees get paid, things can be a little trickier.

This is not just about making sure that permanent staff and freelancers get their money on time, but also about dealing with the extraneous but invariably important elements associated with payroll management, such as filing tax returns. And with the majority of self-employed people reporting missed payment deadlines or other issues, your reputation is on the line.

There are platforms that can help to mitigate and manage payroll problems effectively in a remote working scenario. Digital nomads with a remote workforce at their fingertips cannot afford to ignore this important responsibility.

Mental Health

This is an issue that is being talked about more openly than ever before, but is often overlooked in the context of the digital nomad lifestyle.

This way of life can be amazing, so long as everything is running smoothly. But it is all too easy for a minor hiccup or misstep to snowball into something bigger. And if you are working remotely, far from home in a place where you have no support infrastructure to fall back on, your mental and emotional wellbeing can suffer.

One potential solution to this is to look out for communities of freelancers that are operating in your current location. They may not be able to solve your issues outright, but having someone to talk to who understands your circumstances will be incredibly valuable.

Embracing the life of a digital nomad can be an incredibly empowering decision to make, and many companies have transitioned to nomadic living. Make sure that you are prepared for the negatives as well as the positives if you want to generate the greatest benefits. A lack of preparation is often the biggest cause of problems, so think things through carefully and worst-case scenarios can be avoided.

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