It's hard to believe: the bright blue sky and waving palm trees are not just a nice background shot for the video call. No, this dream setting is real! The person in front of the computer is really sitting on the beach. During the meeting, he sips his tree-fresh mango juice with a blissful smile and every now and then, during short breaks in the conversation, the gentle sound of the sea can be heard. Later, he says, he has an appointment to go surfing, the waves are rolling particularly nicely today. And afterwards there's a party at the pool bar, so he starts work later tomorrow. His complexion: sun-kissed. His colleagues at the monitor in Germany: pale with envy.
Living and working where others go on vacation - a dream? Not at all. For digital nomads, this is the reality of their everyday working life. They have left the hamster wheel and swapped the monotonous office routine for a location-independent life. Beach today, Berlin tomorrow, Dubai next week and on mom's couch over Christmas? No problem as long as you have an internet connection! Digital nomads usually earn their money online, using digital tools and technologies to work wherever they want.
According to estimates, millions of people around the world already belong to the group of digital nomads - and the trend is rising. The pandemic has made this clear: Office work and 9-to-5 are not the measure of all things. Working from home doesn't stand in the way of productivity and, anyway, people also have good ideas while splashing around in the pool or in the kitchen at the stove. Meetings no longer need a conference room and the commute to work takes up a lot of time that could be better invested elsewhere. In a new project, for example. Or in a yoga session on the sun deck. Flexibility is key in the new decade. In terms of time and location.
It's never too late for freedom
For some professions, it is therefore only a logical consequence to pack up their laptop and make their fortune on the move: whether as a copywriter or photographer, IT specialist or project manager, psychologist, coach or language teacher - many jobs can be carried out from anywhere. Anyone who now sadly sets their video call background to "beach mode", safe in the knowledge that they will be stuck in a dull office routine forever because of their wrong career choice: It's never too late for freedom! At least in our networked, global world, the leap from the hamster wheel to a more self-determined life has become much easier. Access to education has never been as straightforward as it is now and the opportunities for strong networks and new sources of income have never been so diverse. If you want to start a business, sell a product or market a talent, you no longer need a university degree, a prestigious office building or employees on site. Courage, the joy of learning, good ideas and the right connections are enough. The way to the sound of the sea, away from the monotonous hum of the office coffee machine, is via the Internet.
From village girl to globetrotter
The internet is also Anika Scheuer's most important source of income. More than 160,000 people follow the Instagram profile of the digital nomad and her partner Tayler Schweigert. In their "Social Media Academy", the couple provide future digital nomads with knowledge that will also help them to earn an income online. Their students: People who dream of traveling the world like their role models Anika and Tayler and living and working freely.
Although "traveling around the world" will soon be less of an issue for Anika and Tayler, at least temporarily: In their adopted home, on the Indonesian island of Lombok, the couple are building their new house. They have announced the arrival of a child. Here, far away from home, the beautiful Westerwald and the village "that has more cows than people", Anika and her Tayler are living a dream that still seems unattainable for others. For now. Because the internet, according to the two "Lovelifepassport" founders, offers a "sea of unlimited possibilities" that is just waiting to be conquered by budding digital nomads.
Digital nomads: A sea of opportunities
In times of globalization, the world is actually at the feet of employees and founders: almost 5 billion people use the Internet and around 58% of the world's population is active on social media - an inexhaustible potential, especially for (prospective) digital nomads. After all, these are potential clients, fans, followers and customers! Several billion people who could help make the dream of Bali instead of the office, the Canary Islands instead of the canteen or Copenhagen instead of the conference room a reality.
To reach these people, the most important thing is attention. Attention has become the most important currency on the internet, emphasizes Anika Scheuer. As an influencer, she knows what she's talking about. "Looking back, I can't believe everything that has happened. Today, we travel the world for a living, showing other people how they can do the same through a constantly growing internet income," says Anika Scheuer about her dream job. She once discovered her enthusiasm for traveling as a flight attendant. Today, thanks to the flourishing online business, she flies as a first-class passenger. Or enjoys the view from her new house, directly onto the turquoise sea off Lombok.
Never greet the marmot again
A special skill, a good idea, know-how or an outstanding product naturally help you to be successful online. The right software and clever tools are also important. But the most important things are: a willingness to learn, discipline and the courage to change. With this combination, you can quickly earn 500 to 1,000 euros on the Internet, ideally on a part-time basis at first," says Anika Scheuer. Then, over time, you can turn your second mainstay into your first and earn a living as a digital nomad.
However, success doesn't come overnight! Not even on the Internet. Simply going online and out into the world rarely works, because success is always hard work. And it remains so, no matter how bright blue the sky and white the beach. Successful digital nomads often work no less than traditional office workers and have to deal with tax issues, visas and other challenges. For example, a lack of drugstores, like Anika Scheuer, who is desperately looking for decent diapers for her baby on Lombok.
Nevertheless, going back to the office and greeting the groundhog every day is not an option for many digital nomads. Because under palm trees, in the mountains or coworking with people from all over the world, even hard work simply always feels easier and freer. What's more, the flexibility in terms of time, beyond fixed meeting dates, is of course an added bonus.
And a real tropical backdrop, not just in a video call - it just puts you in a damn good mood!
