Productivity tips for digital nomads
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Danijela Horvat
Freelance writer
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Productivity tips for digital nomads
Being a digital nomad is a dream come true for many remote workers, but to truly be successful in a digital nomad lifestyle you need to be organized and have a lot of determination. Once you start traveling, there is always something more interesting to do than to sit and work, so it’s very easy to become distracted.
Changing time zones, living in different cities, different apartments, and even the weather, can have an impact on productivity. Here are some tips for digital nomads on how to achieve a dream life and stay productive while doing it.
Create an effective working environment
It’s critical to establish an environment in which you can be most productive. When you’re on the move, this can be extremely difficult. Accommodation doesn’t necessarily come with an appropriate workstation, so you will need to figure it out for yourself.
You could set up a workstation in your hotel, Airbnb, or other rental unit. This might be at a kitchen table, or if you’re lucky, they might have a desk. If you do choose to work from home set up your space somewhere that will be free of distractions.
Alternatively you could look for a nearby coworking location that offers a pleasant working atmosphere for digital nomads. Many coworking spaces include a desk, reliable Wi-Fi, and other amenities like free coffee. There are also cafes that are well set up to work from as well. As long as they have Wi-Fi and power outlets you can usually make it work, but keep in mind that you’ll have to keep purchasing things if you want to stay all day.
If you are traveling to a more remote location, there may not be coworking spaces or cafes there, but as long as you have access to the necessities such as power and the internet you can make it work.
Make sure to avoid working from a couch or bed, and to keep your workspace separate from your living space, even in a hotel or airbnb. A good coffee shop always comes in handy when there are no other options, and the background noise can help you concentrate if you can’t find another quiet location.
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Make sure you have fast Wi-Fi
Digital nomads need good Wi-Fi so they can work. It’s the most important thing in our work life. Without good Wi-Fi, you can’t finish even basic work tasks, and you will get frustrated, become unproductive, and your day will not feel very successful.
Always check what the internet connection is like before going to a new place. You have to know if it fits your requirements so you don’t end up with a nasty surprise when you get there. Always ask for a speed test from your accommodation, and check reviews on coworking spaces and cafes so you know you’ll have strong Wi-Fi.
When there is no good Wi-Fi available, your only options are a mobile hotspot or a travel router. If you choose to invest in a travel router check what the most affordable options are because same like the international sim cards, they can end up being pricey.
Create a routine and stick to it
One of the best tips for digital nomads is to create a solid routine and stick to it. Waking up early is difficult when you work for yourself and don’t have to wake up to an alarm every day. But it’s important to create healthy habits, like waking up at the same time every day and starting work at the same time.
Sticking to the same schedule will help increase productivity because you’ll be holding yourself accountable to complete your work by the same time. A consistent schedule is also proven to help reduce stress.
One of the most basic productivity tricks is making lists. It’s especially important to keep organized when working on a range of tasks with varying deadlines to ensure that you reach those deadlines. You may build to-do lists every morning to help you organize and prioritize your day.
You can set your mood for the day by starting your mornings with short walks, a cup of tea, or meditation. When you do something you like every day, it becomes a habit, and habit will help you get into the mood for work because your body will get used to it.
Implement the Pomodoro Technique
One of the most popular time management strategies for all workers, including digital nomads, is the Pomodoro Technique. This method involves focusing on a single activity for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break.
Each pause helps you to unwind and concentrate in preparation for the following period. After 4 Pomodoros, you have the option of taking a 20-30 minute break.
This strategy divides your workday into short, effective sprints in which you focus entirely on the topic at hand. Its goal is to instill a sense of urgency, reduce distractions, and boost productivity.
Maintaining a high level of concentration on work in short bursts is undoubtedly more achievable than doing so for an extended amount of time. There are many online timers available that will help you implement this technique.
Utilize efficiency and productivity software and tools
There are a variety of applications and websites available to help you keep organized and manage tasks. If you’re working with a team or managing people, they are extremely useful because they let you allocate tasks, create deadlines, and keep track of what everyone is working on.
Monday, Asana, and Trello are just a few of the productivity tools available. For on-the-go project management you can use these tools on your PC via a web browser and on your phone via an app.
The best productivity tools support remote teams and encourage collaboration. But even if you work by yourself you can organize your own tasks and deadlines, or projects you are doing for clients. Evernote, for example, stands out when it comes to the organization because it syncs across all your devices.
Turn off your phone! (especially social media)
One of the most impactful tips for digital nomads is to stay away from social media, and your phone in general, while you are working. If using your phone is necessary for your work, log out of your social media accounts.
Social media and texting are the number one productivity killers because it’s so easy to get sidetracked and start scrolling on Instagram or Facebook while attempting to be productive.
Instead, read your feeds and respond to your pals’ texts during your designated pauses. Leaving your phone in another room might help you avoid temptation if you lack self-control. If your phone is upstairs rather than a few inches away from your computer, it’s far less tempting to check it immediately.
Do one thing at a time
Multitasking is another productivity killer. Try to avoid constantly moving from one activity to another. It’s especially true if your other responsibilities aren’t work-related. Our brains are designed to focus on one job at a time, and distractions like social media or television may completely disrupt that attention.
When working remotely, you may be juggling numerous things at the same time. You’re bouncing from one task to the next, from checking your email to keeping track of your deadlines, reading the news, and planning your next trip. You will never get anything done if you do not devote your full focus to a single task at a time.
Multitasking takes a lot of energy to go back and forth between jobs. As a result, you’ll be slower and also less effective. Close all the tabs and open only one tab at a time. Only when you are finished with one task should you move onto the next one..
Implement these productivity tips for digital nomads
Productivity is about making the most out of your time and completing tasks efficiency and without resistance. It’s often challenging to keep on track when we’re juggling so many duties and commitments. But if you utilize the tips, prepare yourself for challenges, and continue implementing good habits, you will find a lot of success in the digital nomad lifestyle.
