10 Tips for Digital Nomad Success: Advice from a Nomad
Every digital nomad I've spoken to has gone through many highs and lows, so it's safe to say that this lifestyle is definitely not for the faint-hearted. When writing this piece, I'm in a café in Shanghai, and even something as simple as paying for my coffee and thanking the barista as a non-Chinese speaker, I can assure you, is not an easy task!
I thought back to all those times I experienced first-hand the joys and pitfalls of being a digital nomad, and I wanted to get some thoughts on how to overcome the most common challenges of the digital nomad lifestyle while making the most out of it. So, I asked Luca Mussari for his personal tips.
Working as the editor of a digital nomad publication, curating a weekly newsletter about real digital nomad life stories, and being so close to many digital nomads every day can certainly teach you a lot. In this piece, you'll find a collection of his personal advice.
It's never too late to start.
I can't count the number of times I've thought, "I should have started this sooner". Starting out my digital nomad journey to become a digital nomad, finding a new remote job, or even just launching a new project. That regret can be paralyzing.
But here's the thing: the best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is now.
I used to beat myself up over missed opportunities. Now, I focus on the present. I enrolled in online courses, started passion projects, and reconnected with old friends. Each new beginning brought fresh energy and possibilities. Don't let the weight of "too late" hold you back. As cheesy as it may sound, every day is a chance to rewrite your story.
Fight imposter syndrome by owning your worth.
Even after years of doing this, I still have moments where I feel like a total fraud. I'd be on a conference call with a client, and this little voice in my head whispered, "Any minute now, they're going to realize you have no idea what you're doing."
Imposter syndrome is real, and it's a sneaky little devil, especially if you are approaching this lifestyle as a new nomad.
What helped me was keeping a "win" journal. Every time I achieved something—landing a new client, receiving positive feedback, overcoming a challenge—I wrote it down. On days when doubt creeps in, I’d read through those entries. It was my tangible reminder that I am competent, capable, and deserving of this life I've built.
If you’re going to start this path, you will need to own your worth. You’ll have to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. You'll have to remember yourself that you are not an imposter – you're a work in progress, just like everyone else.
Build community wherever you go.
Loneliness can sneak up on you in this lifestyle. Yes, you're meeting new people all the time, but often only at a surface level.
I found that joining coworking spaces, attending workshops, or volunteering helped me build a sense of community. In Oaxaca, I joined a mezcal tour and ended up making friends who felt like family. In Koh Lanta, a local coworking became my weekly highlight.
Community provides support, inspiration, and a feeling of belonging—even when you're far from home.
Stop procrastinating: eat that frog.
I used to be a master at procrastinating when I became a digital nomad a few years ago. I'd check social media, organize my files, even clean my keyboard—anything to avoid that big, scary task looming over me.
Then I stumbled upon Brian Tracy's concept of "eating the frog" in his super interesting book. The idea is simple but powerful: tackle your most daunting task first thing in the morning. Get it out of the way, and get the rest of the day for what matters the most to you.
I decided to give it a shot. The next morning, I dived straight into a complex project I'd been avoiding for days. It wasn't fun, but by noon, it was done. The sense of relief was incredible, and it set a positive tone for the rest of the day. Now, "eating the frog" has become part of my routine, and procrastination has less of a grip on me.
Give it a try. Identify your "frog" and dive in before anything else. It won't be fun, but the sense of accomplishment will set a positive tone for the rest of your day. Over time, this habit can transform your productivity and reduce stress.
Don't let productivity become a prison.
Let's get something straight: being busy isn't the same as being productive. From an early age, we're fed this lie that our worth is tied to how much we can cram into a day. I used to wear my busyness like a badge of honor. But you know what? That mindset nearly burned me out.
As a digital nomad, it's easy to fall into the trap of working around the clock. There's always another email to send, another project to finish. Before you know it, you're in some exotic location but glued to your laptop, missing out on the very experiences you set out to have. I had to remind myself that I didn't choose this life to become a workaholic in a prettier location.
My advice? Make sure to set boundaries. Give yourself permission to step away from the screen. Taking breaks isn't slacking off – it's recharging your batteries. Remember, you didn't choose this life to become a workaholic in a better location. Balance is key, so prioritize your well-being above all, and you'll find that your productivity actually will improve massively.
Learn to say 'no' to protect your time.
Opportunities are everywhere when you're on the move. New projects, social events, side projects—the fear of missing out is real. Early on, I used to say "yes" to everything. I didn't want to close any doors or miss any chances.
But saying "yes" to everything often means saying "no" to yourself. I became overwhelmed, and my work and well-being suffered a lot.
Learning to say "no" is liberating, trust me. It allows you to focus on what truly matters to you. It's not about being selfish but it's more about self-care the way I see it. Your time and energy are limited resources so you better spend them wisely.
You can thrive as an introvert digital nomad.
Believe it or not, I'm an introvert. Yes, I love traveling and meeting new people, but I also love to recharge by spending time alone. In a lifestyle that seems tailor-made for extroverts, this was a challenge for me.
I used to force myself to attend every meetup, party, or travel program, thinking I had to network constantly to make connections and friends. It was exhausting.
Then I gave myself permission to be me. I started choosing activities that I genuinely enjoyed, even if they were solo adventures. I visited museums, went on hikes, or just found a quiet spot to read. And you know what? I still met people—people who shared similar interests and with whom I formed deeper connections.
It's okay to skip the party. Embrace who you are, and you'll find your tribe.
Embrace failure as a path to digital nomad success.
Failure used to terrify me. I'd play it safe to avoid any risk of falling flat on my face. But playing it safe often means not playing at all.
On this journey, I've had my share of flops—projects that didn't take off, pitches that were rejected, plans that fell apart. But each failure taught me something valuable.
I began to see failure not as a dead end but as a stepping stone. It's like Thomas Edison said about inventing the lightbulb: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
My advice is to start embracing your failures as soon as you can. They're actually proof that you're trying, learning, and growing.
Beware the hedonic treadmill.
I remember once I was on this jaw-droppingly beautiful beach in Cape Verde. The kind of place you'd see on a postcard, with crystal-clear waters and pristine sands. And what am I doing? Scrolling through my phone, barely glancing up at the paradise around me. Ridiculous, right?
I learned this is called hedonic adaptation, and apparently, each one of us gets used to the good stuff until it doesn't feel special anymore. The thrill fades, and we're left chasing the next big thing to get that dopamine hit.
To fight this, make a conscious effort to practice mindfulness. Take a moment each day to appreciate where you are and write down three things you're grateful for. By cultivating gratitude, you'll keep the magic alive and continue to find joy in your journey. It sounds cheesy, I know, but it works. When I started doing it, those "wow" moments started happening again.
Keep moving to keep creating.
Have you ever felt like your brain shuts down when you stay in one place for too long? That was me so many times in my digital nomad journey. Once, I decided to head back to my hometown for a bit, thinking I'd recharge and catch up with old friends. Instead, I found myself in a creative rut. The familiar streets, the same coffee shops, even my old room—it all felt suffocating. My ideas dried up faster than a puddle in the desert.
Here's what I learned: travel isn't just about changing your scenery. It's more about jolting your brain into a new way of thinking. Every new place will add a splash of color to your mental palette. So, if you're feeling stuck, maybe it's time to pack that bag again. Movement sparks creativity, and sometimes, staying still is the real enemy.
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