Remote Working And Digital Nomadism Differences

The technological advancement brought by the age of internet has contributed much to the daily life of people. The internet has been a source of information, avenue for communication and socialization.

But its scope goes beyond as it progress modifying the traditional working set-up for most companies and businesses.

A digital nomad is an entrepreneur or worker who almost exclusively uses digital technology to carry out their work and leads a more sedentary, non-local, or multi-faceted lifestyle.” In other words, a digital nomad is something of a nerd who is more or less sedentary. This sounds much more sober than the first idealistic visions of the future of digital nomads.

The digital nomad mindset consists of the digital nomad lifestyle which is essentially a minimal lifestyle based on traveling the world and working on a digital project such as writing, designing, programming and anything else that can be worked on online.

The possibility to work from anywhere

Through the help of social media, marketing has been made easy for start-up enterprises and even bigger businesses. Its convenience and accessibility have extended the working space from the four corners of the office cubicle and has made it possible for employees to work from anywhere.

Through a number of innovations, from software like  Office 365   and  Gmail G Suite   that are accessible anywhere, cheap internet access and gadgets, virtual banks like  TransferWise account   or  Revolut account   and payments on payoneer card that are all managed remotely, the digital media has opened up work opportunities for people to be productive even remotely. Thus, the growing numbers of freelancers and digital nomads.

What is the difference between remote working and digital nomadism?

Both freelancing and digital nomadism entails remote working - however there is a difference between the two of them.

The biggest distinction would be more particular to the lifestyle it comes with.

For digital nomads, it is like working on the road and adjusting to the environment you are in. Since they would move from one city to another their stay is limited to a couple of weeks to six months usually - and it rarely goes below a few weeks at start, as that would be more associated with holiday trip.

Unlike freelancers who works remotely in the comfort of their homes, a digital nomad is a wanderlust that brings the work to different travel destinations and immerses into the culture through renting apartment spaces and hotel rooms.

Flexible remote lifestyle

This lifestyle makes it possible for them to work at any place but requires the ability to adapt well around different cultures and customs which is unlikely for freelancing.

The latter does not require much flexibility than the kind of lifestyle a digital nomad has. Although both type of job requires a strong sense of self-discipline and entails a sacrifice for stability.

Therefore, both remote working and digital nomadism have this in common that flexibility comes at a price, and necessites to self-educate on personal skills that might not be easy to learn for everyone, especially for self-discipline.

Who are the digital nomads?

Digital nomads are mostly younger people who are courageous enough to learn different cultures and explore the world as they maintain a steady paycheck.

They are usually the people who works in the industry of marketing, writing, it, design, tutoring, media, and consulting, some of the best digital nomad jobs per usual considerations. Basically, these are individuals who maximize the use of information and communications technology for them to be able to earn for a living even remotely.

This evolving approach towards work gives many individuals an inspiration to obtain true freedom by being able to travel across the world without boundaries or borders to abide to without having to feel unproductive and crash the common misconception that traveling should just remain as a luxury.

Digital nomadism opened people to the possibility of doing work while anywhere in the world.

Digital nomad work setup

These freedom encompasses the traditional working setup in office spaces. Freedom that comes with digital nomadism is evident even with the number of job you can have.

More often than not, nomads, accept wide range of clients and a number of jobs related to their expertise. It doesn't restrict you from maximizing your time intended for work, and your time for relaxation and exploration.

It's just a matter of time management and professionalism to be successful in this type of job.

Having a plan is still very important

But not only that, living as a digital nomad also stipulates a modest lifestyle and encourages you to think of innovative ways to save what you are earning.

Sure, there is a considerably big advantage as you can explore the world while you bring your work with you. However, there is still a need to think long-term and consider other options to increase your income so you could support your travels. Having a plan on how you can make ends meet is still very important.

Remote working and digital nomadism, what to choose?

Digital nomadism is a mindset that gives you the liberty to explore the world as you live in different locations that could be suitable for your personality and lifestyle.

It allows you to search places that could challenge or give you a different perspective on the world. It is a mindset and a lifestyle that allows you to grow and to live your life to the fullest without having to abandon the reality that you have to work for you to survive.

Whereas working remotely means that you are enjoying the productive comfort and your home, with the flexibility to spend time with any essential thing what matters to you such as your hobbies, your friends, your family, or anything that you like, by also avoiding the loss of personal time associated with daily commuting to a job.

Digital nomad mindset and remote worker setup

Remote working and digital nomad mindset are similar in the sense that in order to work from a place you chose, you must be able to work independently with  a laptop   and to manage your time yourself in most digital nomad setup and situations.

However, the digital nomad setup allows you to move whenever you like, whereas the remote working mindset might mean that you are only allowed to work from the comfort of your home part time, and still have to be physically or temporally present for some defined work requirements.

• What is the lifestyle of a nomad? A nomad is able to move whenever he likes, but also has the flexibility to stay wherever he feels good.
• Where should a digital nomad stay? Remote workers are usually staying at their own place, a home or a flat, and digital nomads are generally staying at other people’s place or in rented areas such as hotels or temporary flat rentals.
• How do you answer why do you want to work remotely? The main motivation to work remotely should be to be productive and to save company’s money by lowering the costs and improving your well being.

What is your favorite configuration, remote working or digital nomadism, and for which purpose? Let us know in comments.