“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.”
― Bruce Lee
In recent years, digital nomadism has become a popular lifestyle for people who prefer to work remotely and travel the world. However, working on the go can be a challenging task, as distractions and the lack of structure can negatively impact productivity. To overcome these challenges, digital nomads need to have the right tools at their disposal. In this blog post, we will discuss the top five tools every digital nomad needs to maximize productivity.
- Best Digital Nomad Communication Tools
Effective communication is essential for any remote team. As a digital nomad, you need to stay in touch with your clients, colleagues, and team members regularly. Communication tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom are must-haves for any digital nomad. Slack is a team communication tool that allows you to communicate with your team members, share files, and integrate with other apps like Google Drive, Trello, and Asana. Microsoft Teams is another collaboration tool that allows you to chat, share files, and collaborate in real-time. Zoom is a video conferencing tool that enables you to hold online meetings and webinars with people from anywhere in the world. Besides the work-related communications tools, it important to have a few types of Messager app handy. Some countries prefer one type to another. The main apps include WhatsApp, Telegram, Link, Instagram Messager etc
- Project Management Tools for Digital Nomads
As a digital nomad, you are likely to work on multiple projects at the same time. To stay on top of all your tasks and deadlines, you need to use project management tools. Trello, Asana, and Basecamp are some of the most popular project management tools used by digital nomads. Trello is a visual collaboration tool that allows you to organize your projects on boards, lists, and cards. Asana is a project management tool that helps you track your tasks, deadlines, and progress. Basecamp is an all-in-one project management tool that allows you to manage tasks, schedules, files, and team communication in one place. While the tools mentioned about are very good. If you do not want to use your energy learning a new tool, using google sheet to draft a basic project plan and tracker can also do. It’s better than not having a project management tool.
- Time Management Tools
Managing your time effectively is crucial for any digital nomad. Time management tools like Toggl, RescueTime, and Focus@Will can help you track your time, stay focused, and avoid distractions. Toggl is a time tracking tool that allows you to track your time on different projects and tasks. RescueTime is a time management tool that tracks how you spend your time on your computer or mobile device and gives you detailed reports. Focus@Will is a music streaming service that plays music designed to help you focus and improve your productivity. If you do not want any fancy tools, a good old note pad or google sheets can also help you with the planning part of the time management. The point is to focus on planning your day and keeping track. Once you know the why, the rest will follow. Do not get stuck because of not been able to choose between time management tools.
- Cloud Storage Tools
Cloud storage tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are essential for any digital nomad. They allow you to store your files online and access them from anywhere in the world. Google Drive is a cloud storage tool that offers free storage up to 15 GB and allows you to create, edit, and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Dropbox is another cloud storage tool that offers free storage up to 2 GB and allows you to store, share, and collaborate on files. OneDrive is a cloud storage tool offered by Microsoft that offers free storage up to 5 GB and allows you to store, share, and collaborate on files. If you want to play it super safe, consider having a physical hard drive as a backup to any cloud storage.
- VPN Tools for Remote Workers
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool that encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity. VPN tools like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost are essential for any digital nomad who wants to stay safe and secure while working remotely. NordVPN is a VPN tool that offers advanced security features like double VPN, Tor over VPN, and DNS leak protection. ExpressVPN is another VPN tool that offers fast and secure connections and works on all devices. CyberGhost is a VPN tool that offers strong encryption and protects your online privacy. I use Surfshark VPN. I found it extremely reliable and easy to use. Click here to join Surfshark.
In conclusion, being a digital nomad requires you to be productive, organized, and secure while working remotely. By using the right approach and tools, it will drastically maximized your productivity and output. In return, you can take more action while reducing your time per unit of effective output.
One more thing! When getting around different countries and trying to transfer funds around, I use TransferWise (Known as Wise). This is a multicurrency card used by digital nomads all around the world. it’s the “Most International Debit Card in the World”. You do not need to wait for the physical card. You can use it via Google or Apple Pay straight away. It only takes about 5 minutes to set up. I’ve included a link to the latest deal. If you sign up using this link, you’ll get up to a fee-free transfer up to $1000 when you sign up with this link. Click here to go to Wise.