How to stay Productive as a Digital Nomad
We’re all different, so there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to productivity. Some people prefer working in the morning, whilst other people have a productive high in the afternoon. The fact is still, that at some point during the day, we all need to be productive. So how do you stay Productive as a Digital Nomad?
We need to get the work done so that we can enjoy our time off. But what do you do, when you just can’t seem to finish that report? When all you want to do, is to go out and explore and meet new people.
We might have the answer for you! At least we can provide you with some useful tips and tricks when your motivation seems to be missing.
Peak performance to stay Productive
A good way to start is by identifying when you work most efficiently. Some people prefer to get work out of the way in the morning, whilst others work better in the evening. If you don’t really know what kind of type you are, try working at different hours of the day, and see when you feel the most productive.
You might have heard from successful entrepreneurs that you should get up at 5 AM in the morning, and continue working throughout the day. That seems grueling to a lot of people. Well, we have some good news for you, if that seems less than tempting!
Research has shown that people working more than 50 – 55 hours a week are actually wasting their time. You heard that right – there is actually no point in working 80 hours a week. You’ll not get more work done, as your productivity will drop significantly.
The key takeaway then is that you should figure out what time of day you work the best, and stick to that. And, do not overdo it, it will not benefit you in the long run.
Organization is key to Productivity
Once you have figured out a schedule for your work, write it down. Simply having it in your mind, just doesn’t seem as serious, does it? Consider investing in a planner, or a notebook, to be a bit more in control of your time!
The Happy Planner
It will keep you in check with monthly calendars and weekly spreads for daily planning.
Accountability
Perhaps you should even recruit some friends who are living the digital nomad lifestyle as well? You could synchronize your working hours, to keep each other accountable. It will be nice to have someone to take your breaks with as well, even virtually!
Seek out like-minded people, and you can help each other stay motivated. The key here is to stick to your plan and to be a bit strict with yourself. After all, you’re serious about your work, aren’t you? You owe it to yourself to put the effort in so that you can maintain this amazing lifestyle! If you want to know the best ways to make friends as a digital nomad, check out our article.
Goal Tracking to Stay Productive
A big motivation can be to reach your goals! It’s a great feeling and something which will definitely keep you going. It doesn’t matter if you’re working remotely for a company or working as a freelancer, you should set some goals for yourself. It also doesn’t matter how small or big the milestone is – completing something you set your mind to, is great anyway!
You should have a specific deadline for when you want to have accomplished something, that will make it more tangible. It will also be easier for you to organize your work commitments according to the deadline. A big bonus would be to reward yourself with something once you have finished it.
Perhaps you’ve always dreamed about going skydiving? You’ll have something exciting to look forward to, once you’ve accomplished your goals!
Be realistic
We all want to perform. We want to do what we said we would do, and we want to be proud of ourselves. However, sometimes we might set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. This will often lead to disappointment. And disappointment is definitely not good for motivation.
Instead, we should perhaps take a step back and be proud of what we have actually achieved. You have undoubtedly done something good today, or even this week, and that is something to be proud of.
Motivation is sometimes like a rollercoaster, sometimes we’re on a productive high, and sometimes we just don’t seem to get anything done. And we really should just accept that life is like that sometimes. There’s another day tomorrow, and we’ll get a new chance to prove ourselves.
After all, you can take pride in your work, and be realistic enough to know when it’s time to take a break.