When you’re regularly jet-setting to exciting, new settings, focusing on the career that funds your lifestyle can be a low priority. Being a digital nomad means being able to concentrate and produce quality products from anywhere.  When trying to stay productive and focused as a digital nomad, I can share what has helped me. 

For the past four months, I’ve joined the 35 million strong digital nomads across the globe. For the bulk of that time, quaint coffee shops in Antigua have served as improvised offices. I’ve taken conference calls from a beachside co-working space in Honduras. Bungalow desks overlooking Mayan jungles in Belize have been my headquarters.

1. GET YOUR MIND RIGHT  

It took a while to wrap my head around the concept that, while temporarily living in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, I am not on vacation. I am not a tourist. I’m a woman on an extended business trip. My mindset needed shifting. Yes, I may be steps from an ancient Mayan cultural heritage site. However, I am here to do a job. Once I shifted my mentality, I was better able to stay productive and focused as per usual for all the other (boring) business trips I’ve taken before. 

2. SET UP YOUR OFFICE RIGHT AWAY

Before booking a place to stay, I filter my search for places with Wi-Fi. Although not required, I look for places with a dedicated workspace. I also check for the proximity to coffee shops, co-working spaces, libraries, and universities with wi-fi nearby, just in case. 

When I touch down in a new place, the first thing I do is check Wi-Fi speeds, service, and the noise level of the area. I unpack my laptop and supplies to get my makeshift “office” set up right away. That way, all I need to do in the morning is sit in the chair and log in. Setting up early provides time to pivot if I need to figure out alternatives. 

3. CREATE DAILY ROUTINES

I get it, the point of nomad life is to get away from the ordinary. However, that only applies to your environment. I thrive on structure. When none exists, I create it for myself. The best part of remote life is that I get to determine what makes sense for me instead of trying to conform to other people’s preferences. I’m constantly tweaking the practices that cater to me. Of course, these routines might change based on the atmosphere and the rhythm of the local community.

My morning routine and first 30 minutes at work remain consistent. I’m most productive and focused when I use workflows. My workflow includes tasks that need attention outside of work, too. 

Curate structures and experiment with routines until they are perfectly tailored to you. 

4. Make Time for Fitness and Food 

A well-nourished body is essential to concentration. As part of my routines, I keep a set time for getting outdoors and making sure I eat lunch. Even if my fitness consists of 15-minutes of calisthenics on the hotel balcony, I accomplish it before lunch. It’s easy for me to power through the day without food. By 4 pm I feel starved and beige of chips and banana bread. That’s not the best way to go! Also, be intentional about getting veggies in.

5. Flock to Other Digital Nomads

Honestly, I hated staring at my computer while my new resort buddies went off to enjoy a 4-hour Caribbean reef dive. To avoid feeling left out, find folks who have a similar work-play schedule. Even if your residence has excellent Wi-Fi, now and then, use the local co-working sites — if only for networking. Building a community with groups like Salena Hostel, Remote year, or Noma Collective can help you stay productive and focused as a digital nomad (even when you’re not officially part of the group). 

6. Embrace Slow Travel

Ask those who have ever traveled with me — I am known to cram a lot in a day. However, digital nomad life isn’t a vacation —even in a recreation destination. When I’m obligated eight hours a day; leisure mode waits until after 4 pm. That doesn’t yield well for a three-day, mid-week getaway. I’ve found the longer I give myself in a place, the less urgency to do and see things immediately! That takes a lot of pressure off. Give yourself plenty of time to explore a place before jaunting off elsewhere. 

When you’re location independent, you exchange traditional office distractions for a new set of challenges. I hope these tips and tricks I’ve shared help you stay productive and focused as a digital nomad. Let me know what works best for you!

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