For most people, traveling is something they get to do only once or twice a year. But when you are a digital nomad, traveling becomes second nature to you. After all, the digital nomad lifestyle is all about working online while traveling. As glamorous as that sounds, it’s not something everyone can pull off. Seasoned entrepreneur Ashish Malviya talks about why he became a digital nomad, what it takes to succeed as one, and what the future looks like for digital nomads.
What drove you to become a digital nomad?
My urge to travel and explore. I was never really attached to the idea of working at one place for a long period of time. You see a 9-9 job doesn’t actually allow you to do much. Forget about traveling, it doesn’t even allow you to explore your career possibilities. Humans have always been explorers since we came into existence, so there is no logic in being in the same place, doing the same things, and meeting the same people for more than half of your life. There is so much more to see and be.
How do you travel, run four companies, and still manage to stay sane?
As of now, I am not actually running all four of them, two of them are only periodically active. I am crazy busy concentrating on new products that we are developing under Webricots and Digital Nomads India. But ever since I expanded my team and created a better workflow, I can breathe easier knowing I have a proper system in place.
Honestly, traveling and working isn’t a big deal in a world where you have Wi-Fi and digital devices to work and communicate all the time, no matter where you go. However, scheduling everything in advance and keeping track of it is important. This can get tricky and stressful at times, but if you love what you do, you will manage to stay sane.
Tell us about the best and worst part of the laptop lifestyle.
The best part is obviously the freedom to choose when, where and what to be or do. Also, instead of having a predecided, limited time to travel and explore the world, you are free to do it whenever you want, without compromising on your career.
But it’s not all sunshine and roses. It takes a whole lot of discipline and flexibility to make it as a digital nomad. You need immense focus and clarity to meet deadlines. You also need to be creative because sometimes, you will have to work at the airport when your flight is delayed, or switch to your smartphone when your laptop has run out of power and you cannot recharge it right away. Still, all of this is manageable if you have a creative mind and can work well under pressure. Also, it’s important to keep loneliness and depression at bay by making time to network with people. Introvert or extrovert, we all need some good human company, don’t we?
For me, the worst part is that since you are constantly on the move and working on a flexible schedule, you can’t always stay in touch with your loved ones. The laptop lifestyle has its cons as much as it has its pros. It is not perfect, but then again, what is? If you are the sort of person who loves adventure and travel in their personal and professional life, this way of life is perfect for you.
Do you think traditional 9 to 5 jobs will become obsolete in the near future?
Yes! A traditional job provides you with an income, but in return, it snatches more than half of your life’s time and freedom. That only leaves you with a few years and fewer holidays during or after your working years – and that too without any guarantee.
Now as work-life balance and entrepreneurship become more and more important, people are willing to take risks to earn freedom and money as quickly as they can to have more control over their lives. In the future, this will definitely wipe out the concept of earning and living based only on a traditional corporate job. Sooner or later, digital nomadism is going to take over.
Any advice for aspiring digital nomads?
You don’t need to do what everybody else is doing, just do what you like and are good at. You don’t even need to have a relevant degree or work experience to make it as a digital nomad. All you gotta do is stay true to yourself and follow your heart. When you are good at something you like doing, you will earn sooner or later, and create a better life on your terms. So go, log out of office and log in to life. Cheers!
If you are on the lookout for some kickass digital marketing services to step up your digital game, drop Ashish an email at ashish.whitehat@gmail.com.
I used to think being a digital nomad was a pretty laidback way of life. I guess I was wrong. I think I will stick to my 9 to 5 for a little longer before I decide if being a nomad is even right for me.
Good for you, Varsha! Being a digital nomad is anything but easy.