New Year, new resolutions! As globalization continues to take over the world, young professionals are leaving their desks and following their dreams of having an independent lifestyle by working remotely. For many, this means that starting an online business that can be managed from anywhere has become feasible thanks to the uprising trend of freelancing platforms.
According to a 2017 report from Gallup, “State of the American Workplace”, the modern workforce expects autonomy and flextime. Indeed, Gallup data showed that, in 2016, 43% of employees worked independently away from their office at some point. The games of the rules are changing and this implies that employers must start to bring their attention towards how they can maintain teamwork, performance and communication with their remote workers.
A study concerning several corporations in the US determined that working remotely could actually result in an increase in employee performance. Nevertheless, these benefits vary by role and are most experienced when employees maintain a strong connection with a support system or their home base.
Although home base can take on various meanings, it tends to refer to the sense of ease a person has with respect to his or her environment, and the people they encounter on a daily basis. As a result, the efficiency of remote workers is proportional to the level of comfort of their surroundings, or in the case of many, a new, foreign city.
Imagine if you could just snap your fingers and feel at home right away in your new home. The reality is, it’s very common to feel confused, out of place and even unwelcomed during the first few weeks of remote life. For this reason, some individuals have opted to be a part of work and travel programs whose goal is to make the adjustment phase much easier for participants. Many remote workers also choose to become a part of the local expat or digital nomad community as a way to find new friends, get to know a place better, and create new routines that will help them adapt to their new environments.
Here are 5 reasons why joining a travel community can help you to stay focused and driven while living and working as a digital nomad:
1. Exploring a city wih friends can be much more fun
Maybe you prefer solo adventures or checking out new restaurants, museums, and even outdoor trips on your own. But, what if you could have the opportunity to join a group of like-minded people at a language exchange or spend a night out at a salsa dance club with new friends? Sounds fun, doesn’t it?
2. It develops your sense of humanity
Working in front of a screen all day long can make you forget how truly lucky we are to share this planet with other human beings. Staying connected means disconnecting from the screen, and taking the time to volunteer to serve others. This is really where you’ll make the most human connection during your travel experience.
3. Make strong connections with like-minded people
Many coliving retreats for digital nomads select participants based on their jobs, hobbies, and living preferences. In many cases, people try this kind of experience after recommendations from their friends. Bear in mind, that each experience will be as different as the group members that make them. The truth is that finding a tribe that aligns with your values and way of life is not an easy task. Stick to programs that are fully committed to connecting you with like-minded individuals.
4. It gets you out of your comfort zone
When arriving in a new city, it’s typical for a nervous, first-time traveler to avoid contact with strangers. Taking the first step to start a conversation and trusting strangers is not easy, you might even be tempted to find a quiet spot at the back of a coffee shop and stay alone. But, wouldn’t you feel more comfortable if you had a group of like-minded friends who would support and gave you the confidence you need to get out of your comfort zone?
5. You’ll learn from others and increase your soft skills
Do you set time apart each day to learn something new? Are you the kind of person that maintains a strict daily practice routine? If you answered no to these questions, you might want to be part of a travel community that offers professional development events such as public speaking, learning a new language, or playing a new instrument. Get out there, explore, and learn new things!
Life is too short to live in fear of failure. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.