How to be a digital nomad in Bangladesh

Remote working has been in practice worldwide for quite a long time. With the advancement of technology and the availability of the internet, Bangladesh started entering this realm of digital nomads during the surge of the Covid-19 outbreak. This led to the rise of what we know as digital nomads.

Digital nomads do not have a specific working place. They move from place to place to carry on with their work. With internet availability and proper functioning device, they accomplish their appointed tasks and continue their job. Traditionally, the people of our country are inclined towards desk work. 

Digital nomads tend to believe in the productivity of being physically present in the office. But in the interim, they had to cope with the Covid-19 situation by maintaining social distance. Hence, remote working came into the scenario. Here are some tips, tricks and ethics for you to consider if you're planning on switching to a digital nomad lifestyle.

Mindset

The concept of remote working is relatively new in Bangladesh. As such, there can be misconceptions regarding the functionality of this new system. To get hold of this work situation, be mindful and accepting.

Prepare yourself to learn new things, adapt to new practices and communicate more intensively. Try to culture the mindset of co-operation for gradual development and coping.

Deciding your flexibility

The most amazing part of remote working is flexibility. In this system, you are not bound to work in a fixed environment for a fixed time. So, you can adjust your flexibility according to your needs and liking.

Nevertheless, you can get overwhelmed with work pressure if you are not utilising time. Always try to schedule your timeline with the necessary work shifts. You can be regular in it or even shuffle the time between weeks. Do what is best for you according to your working nature and procedure. Try to recognise your strengths and weaknesses to determine what works best for you. 

Selecting comfortable locations

One of the most necessary conditions for remote working is a good internet connection. You can work from home or someplace with good WiFi. Since the whole procedure of remote working is based on communication via the internet, select it accordingly.

The internet speed varies in different places in Bangladesh. But on average, the mobile internet speed is around 6 to 10 Mbps. And the broadband speed is about 25 to 30 Mbps. Try to choose your working space according to your comfort and connectivity speed.

Communication

For digital nomads, the interacting pattern shifts to presenting your work and technical skills without being physically present. There can be problems if you are not communicating directly and instantly. Miscommunication can lead to blunders or ineffective. 

Practise doing your work at your own pace and flexibility by keeping everyone updated. Interact or reach out whenever you need help or instructions. Try to follow them for smooth execution of your work.  

Meeting deadlines

Flexibility can often lead to a lack of motivation to work due to many distractions. To get rid of this issue, try to find motivation by maintaining regularity in your flexible schedule. Discipline can go a long way and get things done even in a flexible routine. You might find it difficult at the start, but keep going. Everything will come around eventually. Try to start with the small and easy tasks first to get going. The kickstart will inspire you to do more work. 

Dealing with emergencies

To deal with emergencies, be prompt and present. While working remotely, be extra careful and vigilant while dealing with emergencies.  

Taking one problem at a time and dividing the load with others, you can cope with any urgent situation. For this, you will need the skills like communication and co-operating mentality. It might get uncomfortable sometimes and even tiring. But challenges like this make one more skilled and organised. 

Organising finances

Working according to your flexibility might often increase your expenses. You will need a plan for your expenses. Save a specific part of your money for the future and spend the rest according to your needs.

Digital nomads travel from place to place. New places might require different expenses. You have to be mindful and prepared before travelling anywhere. Take proper information regarding the place you are travelling to and its expenses. Plan a budget by mapping your travel. You can also get health insurance for future emergencies.  

Technical knowledge

The scenario in Bangladesh regarding technical knowledge is improving gradually. Owing to the necessity of learning new things and practises, people are now inclined to learn technical skills.  

Implementing your technical knowledge and learning new skills is essential for digital nomads. Because the world is evolving as time passes, and people now rely on technology more than we can imagine. Always be open to learning new skills. Be curious about how different apps and platforms work. 

Apps that help keep track

You have to be productive and keep track of your progress simultaneously. It can get intimidating sometimes. But there are different apps to help you increase your productivity. 

There are apps like Zoom, G-suite, Slack, Toggl, Evernote, Trello and Workfrom work with arranging online platform meetings, project managing, keeping work tracks, personal productivity tracks, finding co-working spaces, cafes with the internet, etc., can be done using these apps. Use these effectively for a better working experience.

A proper organisational structure is also necessary for the smooth running of work online. Plans to acquaint people with the new trends and adapting mentality is a must. Apart from the workforce, the structure has to develop as well. 

Take a break

The last piece of advice for digital nomads is to stop working and overloading. Get as much as work you can manage. And always select a stopping time for your work. Else it might affect you and the whole workflow negatively. Creating a decorated space in your mind and workstation will help you go a long way. Only then staying sane and working will be enjoyable. 

Being a digital nomad in Bangladesh may seem daunting, but with prior preparation and knowledge, you will adapt to the lifestyle in no time.