As digital nomads we are on the move quite a lot, however if we want to get work done, we also need a base. If we are going to get down to work and earn a living online, after having a computer and the internet, we’ll find ourselves wanting a full office. Realistically that’s not feasible so we should make the most of what we can on the road. We need to buy smart and not buy bulky things in case we have to get up and go in a hurry.

Digital Nomad Tips: Customising Your Nomadic Office

So find a base for a few months – preferably a flat with WiFi and a desk! Once you’ve moved into a new room in a flat for a few months, here are three things you need to consider before you’re off on your travels again.

1. Organising your Nomadic Desk
Get your work stuff organised to make it easier to work. By this, I mean a tidy desk and well organised office. Check out some desktop and office ideas online and make yourself feel at home. I find a diary helps and putting things in alphabetical order is essential, whether it’s books, business cards or even contacts, you will find yourself more efficient when things are well organised. It’s also important to have a decent desk and chair and splash out on a shelving unit if you’re there for a few money. Saving time and effort with organisation will earn you more money.

Organise your desk

2. Buying Accessories for your Nomadic Desk
While relaxing/working at your desk you will need to be in control. Get some decent modern desk accessories ordered online if you have no time to go shopping yourself. I recommend:

– a decent light/desklamp
– paper clips, staples
– files to store important documents in
– a multi country adapter
– notepads and pens
– a safe place for a coffee/tea or beer
– essentials (tip-pex, scissors, glue etc.)

Get the right adapters!

3. Moving your Nomadic Desk
For this, I suggest setting up a temporary base so you can store some of your “nomadic office” in one place. I’ve been using Hong Kong for this. Some digital nomads like to use Chiang Mai and Bangkok. What I do, is take the key things I need travelling and take photos of the important documents that are going to be too heavy to carry.

Digital Nomadery in Hong Kong

Most of my business is on Word and Excel documents and I have my books, photos, videos etc. saved onto my hard drives.

4. Housewarming and Couchsurfing Gifts
You might want to know what I do with things when I have to move on? The most important things I take with me, some are left in my temporary base in Hong Kong. However I have recently came up with a cool idea for these things which we are lumbered with. When you go Couchsurfing, it’s nice to bring your friends a gift to say thanks for the 3-4 nights of a free stay!

So I either bring the office accessories I don’t need (if it’s near the start of my trip) or I get some housewarming gifts (if it’s near the end of my trip). Some things are easier to carry than others, so items like pens, bookends, phot frames etc.

The Digital Nomad lifestyle is as challenging as any job in the world, but once you are earning money and have got the right mix, you’ll be flying in no time and able to form offices every night from a view of sunset with an ice cold beer. It really is all the promised land if you work hard.

Working from my laptop with a beer