What is the difference between a digital nomad and a remote worker? Are either right for your lifestyle?

The year 2020 has brought on some untraditional work practices. Many people have become remote workers. Some are exploring being a digital nomad. But what’s the difference and which workstyle is right for you?

To start, a digital nomad is a remote worker, but a remote worker is not necessarily a digital nomad. However, both are digital – working through the internet – from a remote location.

Remote Worker

According to Global Workplace Analytics telecommuting statistics 2018, there were 4.3 million remote workers in the USA, which makes up 3.2% of the entire workforce.

The typical remote worker may be a freelancer, independent business owner, or work on a virtually distributed team. Remote workers tend to be stationary and mostly work from their home offices, co-working spaces, or coffee shops in the locale of their company.

Things people love about the remote working lifestyle:

• More family time
• Productivity increases due to fewer office-related distractions
• Reduced transportation costs, vehicle depreciation, maintenance, and wear and tear on the vehicle
• Career opportunities open up to other areas of the world

Drawbacks of the remote working lifestyle:

• Loneliness can be an issue for those used to having co-workers around
• Communicating with virtual teams can be difficult to manage for some
• Non-work distractions (cleaning house, watching TV, etc.)

Digital Nomad

A digital nomad is a type of remote worker who travels while doing their jobs remotely. They are not bound to a specific time or location to work. Think of the as a modern-day gypsy.

Things people love about being a Digital Nomad:

• Enjoy the flexibility to work wherever they want in the world
• Work when you want
• Travel freely
• No daily commutes or schedules

Drawbacks of the Digital Nomad lifestyle:

• May miss the comforts of home that remote workers enjoy
• At times, Wi-Fi can be difficult to obtain in some locations
• Traveling to different time zones can present challenges for some clients
• Acquiring new business and networking can also be challenging

Which Workstyle Fits You?

Both work styles have benefits and drawbacks. It really depends on what’s more important to the individual.

Why NuvoDesk is Perfect for Digital Nomads

By Leslie Radford