The concept of digital nomadism is slowly gaining momentum because it’s the antidote to a life of tedium and monotony. Instead of spending most of your time working, fitting into a social role, you’re now spending your time living an authentic life, just being yourself.
Most jobs leave you with little time to spend with loved ones or do the things you love. The digital nomad lifestyle does the opposite. It puts life in the forefront, work in the background.
If you like the idea of being yourself rather than conforming to the rules of a corporation, then here are two secrets to becoming a successful digital nomad.
Secret #1: Create Instant Rapport With Strangers
Get good at making friends wherever you go. Relationships count in every aspect of our lives. But they take on a new significance when you’re abroad as “a stranger in a strange land.”
How do you strike up conversations with strangers?
One way is to smile and show goodwill. Another is to ferret out a mutual interest to build rapport.
Unfortunately, most people only rely on these basic relationship-building techniques. They’re missing out on an even more powerful way to quickly make friends. It’s a way that has been used by travelers for centuries — “breaking bread” together. Sharing food.
When you share food with others, it builds an instant bond. Why is inviting a colleague at work over for dinner considered an act of friendship? It’s because it’s a much deeper way of relating to someone than simply talking to them at work.
As you travel, build rapport with people by sharing a universal food like chocolate.
Here’s the thing:
- Chocolate is easy to fit into a backpack.
- It’s light enough to carry anywhere.
- Everyone recognizes it.
- People love it at first bite.
- It’s valued in every country as a delicacy.
In short, chocolate is one of the best universal foods to help you make friends without saying a word.
Sharing gourmet chocolate truffles and bars rather than regular chocolate snacks from a vending machine is the way to go. Besides tasting better, appealing to a more refined palette, dark chocolate is also a superfood. It promotes wellness by elevating mood and reducing brain fog.
Chocolate is a portable food that helps you make friends wherever you go, even if you don’t speak the language of the country you’re visiting.
Get more inspiration:
- Vietnamese Food: 5 Dishes You Must Try on Your Next Trip
- Fruits of Thailand: Healthy and Delicious Food You Must Try
- How to Stay in Shape as a Digital Nomad
- Balinese Massage in Ubud: Where to Get The Best One?
- Ubud Organic Vegetarian Restaurants: the Ultimate Guide
Secret #2: Develop a Portable Skill Set
Next, consider the value of a portable skill.
Instead of looking for “help wanted” signs in the local newspapers of the country you’re visiting and accepting any job, imagine how convenient it would be to just open up your laptop to earn the money you need in the currency you desire.
The best way to learn digital skills is to take online classes or attend a digital marketing boot camp offered by a university.
You will not only learn the technical skills but also how to build a business around them. For instance, you’ll learn a variety of advertising and promotional skills to attract new clients.
You’ll also learn things related to proving your value. For example, learning how to read web analytics will prove to your clients that your work for them improves their business.
Besides learning technical and marketing skills, it’s a good idea to polish up on your soft skills.
Pack & travel:
- Best Hiking Backpack: A Practical Guide
- Best Vlogging Camera With Flip Screen
- Best Drones for Travel in 2021: Our Top Picks
- Best Camera for Travel Photography
- Best Camera Lenses for Travel Photography: Tips For Your Next Trip
Choose a Life of Fun and Adventure
While there is nothing wrong with corporate culture, it’s not for everyone.
The concept of living life on your own terms may sound too good to be true, but veteran digital nomads have developed a roadmap for you to follow. Lean into it. It might be exactly what you always wanted to do but never contemplated.
