According to Statista, as of March last year, many digital nomads were making good money. The survey found that 35% of digital nomads around the world earn between $100,000 and $250,000 per year. Only 6% said their annual income was less than $25,000.
Digital nomads enjoy a variety of benefits, including the freedom to travel and work from anywhere, the ability to work at any time, opportunities for personal and professional growth, a lower cost of living, and the ability to pursue new hobbies and interests.
But you won't be able to enjoy all these benefits if you don't have the tools to survive an on-the-go lifestyle. We've curated this guide to help you succeed in your chosen career path.
Time management and productivity tools
These tools can help you get more done every day. These tools are designed to simplify every task, make your workflow more streamlined and efficient, and give you quick access to essential documents whenever you need them.
Some key features of many productivity apps include creating content to visualize data. Plus, in most cases, you can easily collaborate with others. This is perfect for digital nomads who are always on the go.
Note-taking apps are handy for jotting down all your ideas. Apps like OneNote, Google Keep, and Notion are great for taking notes anywhere. It's also great for organizing your notes into different categories.
Another essential type of productivity tool is a to-do list app. Any.do and Microsoft To-Do are popular options that help you prioritize tasks and manage multiple assignments. Knowing everything you need to accomplish and schedule items will help you use your time each day as efficiently as possible.
Investing in the right productivity and time management software can help you become a more focused and organized worker. Finding the tool that best suits your work style will require some trial and error. But utilizing these apps is a valuable way to get more out of your daily workday.
power bank
Low battery warnings are the bane of a digital nomad's existence. Nothing kills productivity like a device dying when you need it most. Fortunately, portable power banks have made it much easier to stay charged even when you're off the grid.
A power bank is practically a necessity for anyone who works remotely. Whether you work at a coffee shop with limited outlets or travel somewhere without reliable power, a good power bank will ensure you always arrive on time, even if your phone drops below 20%.
Look for multiple USB ports if you want to charge more than one device at once. Fast charging support is also important. The last thing you want to do is wait for hours for your phone to charge to 50%.
With the right power bank, you can fully charge in just a few clicks, allowing you to work much more comfortably wherever you are. No more worrying about running out of battery and interrupting your workflow. So do yourself a favor and choose a high-capacity, multi-port power bank.
You can pay with peace of mind the first time your phone warns you that the battery is almost dead, and you can just pull out the backup battery instead of searching for an outlet. Reliable power is essential for the modern digital nomad. Never leave home without a portable charger.
portable wifi
Using your iPhone or Android phone's WiFi hotspot is a great option for getting online on the go. Keep in mind that some carriers limit the amount of hotspot data you can use each month before being charged overages.
Another solution is to bring along a portable WiFi hotspot device. This little device creates a wireless network for you. Any device can be connected. A major advantage is that you can access the Internet wherever there is cellular service, even if you don't have a Wi-Fi network.
A reliable connection is essential when traveling or working remotely. That's why it's important to choose a portable hotspot that supports high-speed data and has good coverage of the area you'll be spending time in. The last thing you want is to be in a place with spotty service where even checking your email should be faster.
external hard drive
An external hard drive helps you keep all your important files safe. You know how it is. These days, your laptop's storage space can quickly fill up with all your photos, videos, and documents. An external drive gives you more space to back up everything.
You can pack your external gear in your bag and know that all your work will be protected wherever you go. Need to access a file in the library? are you okay. Want to free up space on your laptop while on the go? It's easy. Just switch to external.
You can also rest assured that everything is safely copied somewhere other than your laptop. Connecting the drive to any computer is also fantastic.
All your files can be accessed from your home, office, or a friend's house. External drives with portable storage and security features are a must-have for anyone who works on the go.
noise canceling headset
This headset is a game changer if you need to focus in a noisy place. Whether you're working in a busy cafe, traveling through the airport, or trying to block out distracting sounds at home, it can help you focus. The technology is also impressive. It actively detects external noise and cancels it out, allowing you to hear quiet sounds.
Being able to block out everything else makes a big difference. Coworking spaces can get noisy quickly, but using these spaces can make you feel like you've found a little bubble of quiet. It's also ideal for long-haul flights or train journeys with constant background chat and announcements.
But this is not a miracle cure. It only removes some sounds. But it brings the tedium of it all to a much more manageable level so you can focus on your work without distractions. If you have a noisy workplace, invest in a good pair. The ability to adjust everything else is very useful.
portable screen
Depending on what kind of work you do, a dual screen setup may be helpful. Being able to open multiple windows or programs at the same time makes multitasking much easier and increases your productivity.
But if you're a digital nomad, having a big, bulky monitor isn't practical because you need portability. This is where a lightweight monitor comes in handy. You can turn any space into a workspace, whether it's a coffee shop, a library, or a hotel room on the go.
And if you have a laptop with a smaller screen, an additional display is great for making everything look wider. It's highly portable and very easy to carry around in your bag without adding too much weight or taking up too much space.
So, if you want a dual monitor setup but need flexibility, a portable monitor is the way to go.
Work seamlessly with the right tools
Proper technical equipment is very important to be productive while traveling. Consider exactly what setup you need to fully perform your job responsibilities remotely. Carry any accessories that cannot be easily replaced abroad.
But it's also important not to pack too many tech tools. Find the right balance of functional yet lightweight gear that's suitable for all your future travels. Proper planning for the front end will help you be productive as a digital nomad.