Can You Be a Digital Nomad?

Digital Nomad is someone who chooses to take his or her work everywhere, anywhere.  It may be a less ordinary career, but it's slowly making noise. Stories about the flexibility in lifestyle while earning more (often times in Dollars) are just a few of the most frequent visited aspect of this career.

I never thought I would be one of the fast growing population of the digital nomads.  I started small, really hopeful to make a living out of it from the very start, but little did I know that it would be something I would be doing for years.

My tip for all of you out there who would like to see if digital nomad life is for you? It is all about personal determination along with the proper skill set.  Do not be contented, learn as much as you can and broaden your horizon whenever. What's important is to never forget why you work, do what truly matters to you.

Know more about my travel adventures at http://ourtravelstops.blogspot.com/

Freelance Work? Do You Have What it Takes?

I have not been able to post as much as I would like to.  I have been receiving a lot of questions from family, friends and former colleagues on how I am at working home base.  I always get the same feeling and give out the same answer. My career life has never been this "freeing". There's nothing more fulfilling than to earn from doing what you love, where you're good at.

Just like with anything you do, the beginning is always the most difficult.  I started at the lowest taking projects not even worth my time, but I know that the knowledge I get will get me places.

I guess all I'm trying to say is never be afraid to start small because in small things comes great things.  The first step is always the hardest, but when you know you want it and that you can... It's always worth it.  I do not suggest to take the plunge and just hope it turns out well.

You have to take a step back, look at the big picture.  Ask yourself, are you in it?  Do you have the skills, the equipments and the knowledge? There are a lot of things you need to consider before you can say that freelance working is for you.

What does it take to work home base?

This is one question I am always asked when I tell people I have left my wonderful career working as a supervisor in a BPO to work from home. It was not an easy decision. It was actually scary because you are getting into something that have no certainty. It is not for the faint of heart. 

It was a life changing career move so again, it's not easy. I had to start from scratch in hopes that i could once again climb up the ladder (which, I am not even sure if there was indeed a ladder for me).

The time was for me then, May 2011. I got very sickly. I was in and out of the hospital and what's frustrating was doctors could not even tell me what was actually wrong. A lot of pain relievers, but none of them worked. I also got myself into personal trouble that I am glad I choose to end the right way. No doubt, for me it was a thing to do. At that time I thought, if home base career change won't work for me, I always have the option to be back to my first love, BPO career. 

So again, what does it take? 

1. Will. 

The will to take the challenge. The will to accept change and start from where everyone have started without thinking that you are already somebody and wouldn't start from scratch. 

2. Discipline.  

Working homebase takes a lot of personal discipline. No one is there to take your hand and tell you what to do and what not to do. You have to continue learning so you can be a good choice for your clients. They can let go of you the very first day they think they can find someone better. You have to be able to tell yourself to work when needed, to finish and accomplish what you are suppose to. 

3. The equipments. 

You have to be willing to invest if you want to be competitive. You cannot have a crappy headset during an interview else you will not even be one of the client's choices. You cannot have a trashy computer / laptop else you cannot work. You have to be willing to invest on your internet subscription (up to 1Mbps to say the least). Included in this would be your investment in resources paid or not to learn new things so you are at par with he rest of the virtual community. 

4. Goal. 

Having a goal is just as important as the first 3 I mentioned. You have to define your goal, so it's also clear to you, why would you need to do things. Having a well defined goal is having a clearer career path. 

For me it was simple, I spent 8 years of my life working in 3 different call centers, which I enjoyed every moment, but it cost me much time for my family (mainly my mom), myself and to other people who really mattered a lot. This time, I want to enjoy life. Having been sick and almost became bed bounded I realized life is too short. I want to travel and see the world. I want to be able to buy and do the things I need (and possibly want).  

I find it helpful to make a list you can look at and think...

Ask yourself, "Am I ready?"

Launching: Go Virtual Friday

What is the best way to launch this blog but to share the newest video of Go Virtual Friday...