Living and working as a DN (digital nomad) sounds like a dream.

And it can be! But it’s not without its challenges, either.

While your family and friends probably picture you working from the beach with a cocktail in hand, maybe shooting off a couple of emails and calling it a day, the reality can sometimes be a lot less glamorous.

You want a system that minimises time spent in front of your laptop, while still ticking everything off your to-do list. The key is finding a balance that works for you.

That said, there are a number of tried and tested tips to work smart (and hard) as a digital nomad. Here are our favourites — tried and tested by us, at Street Designed!

8 tips to work smart when on the road

Find a workstation that helps you concentrate

Working by the pool or at a beach bar might seem like an ideal office location for the day, but realistically, how much work are you actually going to get done?

The sun will make your screen way too glare-y, and the thought of jumping in the water will be way too tempting. You’d be much better off finding a quiet space to log a couple hours of hard work — then you can enjoy the rest of the day free of guilt and deadlines.

One of my favorite places to work while knowing your somewhere exotic! #goodvibes #happypeople #productive #networking

2. Incorporate stretching into your daily routine

Too much laptop use is never going to be good. But working as a digital nomad comes with a whole new set of problems.

You’re probably not going to have an ergonomic set-up — does anyone really want to travel with a laptop stand or take the time to find a straight-backed chair? And, chances are, there’ll be the occasional day where you work from a sofa or the floor of an airport.

That’s why it’s important to take about 10 minutes every day to stretch out your shoulders, neck, back, arms, and wrists. Search YouTube for “office stretches” if you need a guided routine.

3. Settle on a schedule (and stick to it as best you can!)

One of the best things about working on the road? There’s no such thing as a 9-5 grind.

It’s still important to establish a routine, though. As having some semblance of a schedule will help with self-discipline and focus.

Build your schedule however you like! Maybe you’re a morning person and will get up with the sun, smash out some work, then take a long break in the afternoon. Or perhaps you like to sleep late and enjoy your mornings, then begin working after lunch. You know yourself better than anyone else, so try out a few different routines and see what works best.

4. Work in chunks

Again, everyone’s different. But working in chunks can be a great way to maintain your work-life balance.

You didn’t become a digital nomad just to work in coffee shops all day! Spend a good three hours doing focused work, then take a couple hours off to chill out and explore before finishing off a few more tasks in the afternoon. Having short spurts of concentration will help your productivity levels immensely — and you won’t be missing out on what’s around you.

Costa Rica, back in 2018 on one of my many trips to Central America that year, I really couldn’t get enough of the place! #centralamerica #livinglikealocal #paradise

5. Travel slowly and take your time

There are so many amazing places out there to see and enjoy, so it can be tempting to move around a lot in order to fit them all in. But it’s definitely a better idea to go slow; spending a good chunk of time in each place.

Why? Because when you’re always on the move, life gets pretty tiring pretty quickly. You’ll be cramming your days full of sightseeing while also trying to balance work — and without enough time for rest, you may find yourself burning out.

But if you allocate at least a week for each destination (hopefully longer!), you’ll be able to relax and even have a chance to experience it like a local. Plus, long-term accommodation is often a much more budget-friendly option! So that’s win-win!

6. Give yourself days off

Depending on your workload, aim for at least two full days off per week. And yes, that means a real day off — no checking your email, and no sneaky business calls! It might be tempting to work every day and chase that hustle, but you need to maintain a work-life balance for the sake of your mental health.

Of course, you might decide to take your “weekend” in the middle of the week — sometimes as a tourist it’s much more fun to explore new places on weekdays, when things are far less crowded. You call the shots, remember. So make them count!

It’s much easier getting good photos without the crowds around. Louvre Museum, Paris! The picture just doesn’t capture the architectural beauty! #2013 #nomad

7. Find a community

Travelling alone can be incredibly empowering… and it can feel pretty lonely at times, too. If you stay in hostels, it’s easy to meet other travellers, but most of the time they’re backpackers who are only there for a couple of days.

Luckily, social media makes it easy to find other digital nomads and expats — just search Facebook groups for “digital nomad” + whatever region you’re in. It’ll feel great to meet other people in the same situation as you. You can share tips for cafes to work in, spend days off exploring together, and maybe even make some valuable business connections.

8. Be prepared for road blocks

Things won’t always go smoothly. Maybe one day you’ll have terrible internet connection, or massive transport delays, or you’ll be offered a spot on a day trip you can’t say no to. You’ve got to be prepared for nothing going to plan — then when it does, it’s a nice bonus!

Try not to get too stressed out if you “lose” an afternoon that you’d planned for work. It helps to give yourself a lot of wiggle room if you’re working to deadlines. Aim to get projects done a day or two in advance, so if something major does strike at the last minute you won’t be set back.

Anything we forgot?

In the spirit of digital nomads looking out for each other — are there any tips you swear by, that we may not have come across yet? We’d love to know!

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