10 Things I've Learned Since I Quit My Job to Work Remote and Travel

Early 2018, I was in final interview rounds for a promotion at one of the world's top tech companies. The offer would include +/- 20% annual salary increase with world-class perks and benefits – but, somehow I felt this wasn't the right path for me.

I withdrew from the interview process for the role I thought I'd worked for over the past year, with no concrete plans of what I was going to be doing next. Only thing I knew was that I wanted to explore the opportunities of combining work and travel – so I handed in my one month notice and embraced uncertainty.

Last day at my office job on March 31st, 2018:

Fast-forward to today, and I've been on one big rollercoaster journey! I've worked and lived in places I could only dream of, spent lots of quality time with loved ones and met new friends along the way, and I even built a profitable online business which now allows me to work from anywhere. Truth be told, I'm still exploring and things are evolving as I'm venturing into the world of remote work. But, I can honestly say it has been the best decision I ever made.

To reflect on 2018 and to conclude the Rise of Remote Work series pilot, I'd like to share 10 things I've learned since quitting my job to work remote and travel:

"If you don't like something, change it. You're not a tree." – Jim Rohn

1. Trust your gut

I strongly believe in the power of intuition. It has been the reason I decided to quit my corporate job without solid back-up plan, book a one-month solo trip to Bali, start an online consulting business, and most recently – to book a one-way solo trip to Medellin (Colombia) to embrace my new lifestyle as a remote worker. How scary or uncertain things may seem, sometimes you just need to trust your gut and you'll be surprised of the opportunities that will come your way.

2. Success doesn’t come overnight

For any career switch, truth is that success doesn't come overnight. And what is success, anyway? Do you want to make 6-figures a year, travel the world and make enough income to support your expenses, work part-time and spend the rest of your day with your family or enjoying your hobbies?

I've spend countless of hours reading books, doing online courses, and networking with like-minded people to learn everything about the world of remote work. I've worked late evenings and weekends to build my online business from scratch, and I even provided free services to gain valuable experiences. Believe in yourself and work hard to reach your levels of 'success' – Rome wasn’t built in a day.

3. Knowledge is not power, action is

As Tony Robbins says, knowledge alone is only potential power. If you want to achieve your goals, you have to go out there and take action. Before my resignation, I had heard of the trend of remote workers, however I had no clue of the potential and all the possibilities until I quit my job, booked that ticket to Bali, and dived into the world of remote work with 100% commitment. Of course, there will always be some risk when chasing bold ambitions – but who says that's not OK? If you really want to make a change, you have to take action.

"The biggest and best opportunities are usually the ones with the most uncertainty. Don’t let this sip by you by mistaking 'big opportunity' for 'risk'." – Reid Hoffman, Masters of Scale podcast

4. Experiences are worth more than money

I'm going to be honest with you here - I probably would have more money in my bank account right now would I have gone for that promotion. I would have bought fancy new clothes, spend even more on dinners and drinks in the weekends, and I probably would have bought the newest iPhone (according to my little brother, the iPhone 7S is so 2016). But, at the end of the day, I've learned that true wealth is not measured by the size of your bank account, rather by meaningful life experiences and time spent on doing things you actually love with people you care about.

5. ...but you need a safety net

I believe (a lot of) money doesn't make you happy, but no money doesn't make you happy either. Quitting your job without any concrete plans and no money in the bank is probably not the best idea, so make sure you have a financial plan (aka your "safety net") if you want to make the jump to remote work.

Calculate your average cost of living per month (which is significantly lower if you travel to cheaper places like Bali or Colombia) and make sure you can at least cover your expenses as quickly as possible, or have enough savings so you can survive at least 3 - 6 months in case of no extra income. This will give you time to build your remote career without financial distress.

6. Relationships really matter

I've mentioned this several times and can't emphasise enough – I owe so much to my network, family and friends. These relationships have helped me get some of my first freelancing gigs, be invited to host a workshop at one of US top business schools, and even joining me during my workations across the globe. So, invest in your relationships; meet (new) friends, go to networking events or places where you can meet like-minded people, and always have the courage to ask for help and help others whenever possible.

"If you want to walk fast, go alone. If you want to walk far, go together." – African Proverb

7. Skills are more important than degrees

The security a traditional office job supposedly brings is becoming less reliable – people are getting fired, departments are being restructured, and companies fold as technology and automation are slowly taking over the workplace. I've seen people with degrees having difficulties securing a job, whereas more and more companies hire people without degrees (Google, EY, Apple amongst others).

In this post, I discuss how remote work helps develop your marketable skills for job security in the future. Invest and build your skills, not just your resume.

8. You are not alone

You might think you're the only person on this planet who is secretly hoping for the freedom and flexibility that remote work offers (at least, that's what I thought). This couldn't be further from the truth: 96% of professionals don't aspire a corner office at all. Whether you'd like to work remote to travel or spend more time with your family – there's thousands (if not, millions) of people out there who are craving and living such lifestyle. I've seen it in the number of people I've met along the way and those I've connected with as a result of e.g. this series. Believe me, you're not alone.

9. Learn to trust uncertainty

In my final week in my office job, a LinkedIn exec told me “we’re living in a bubble, the real world is much different. Believe in your capabilities and learn to trust uncertainty." It is OK not to know what you’re doing next. Jobs change, people change, careers change. It doesn't have to be perfect from day one, however each step in the right direction towards your long-term goals is a small win to be celebrated.

10. You never know it until you try

Since quitting my office job without any concrete plans, I've worked and traveled for at least one month in Bali, California, Dublin and Porto. I just spent holidays season with my family back in the Netherlands, and I will be leaving for Medellin (Colombia) for a one-way solo trip at the end of this month. I built a profitable online business which I plan to grow in 2019, gained countless of memorable life experiences, built and developed my marketable skills, and spent lots of quality time with my friends and family.

In the end, you will only regret the things you haven't tried. So go out there, and trust your gut. Work hard. Make memorable life experiences. Meet like-minded people. Invest in your marketable skills. Embrace uncertainty. And if you decide to make the leap to remote work too and see me working from a cafe or co-working space somewhere across the globe, come say hi and let's share our stories over a coco loco!

Are you a(n) (aspiring) freelancer, coach, consultant or online business owner and do you want to elevate your brand to find + attract clients online? Join hundreds of (online) business owners across the globe and get started with my free LinkedIn Strategy bootcamp specifically designed for solopreneurs!

This article is the final of a 3-month pilot project for LinkedIn Series, a new feature which aims to spark conversation between like-minded professionals. Hit 'subscribe' to become part of this community, share your thoughts in the comments below and feel free to join the Digital Nomad group.

PS: You can follow my journey on Instagram: maketheleap_ or visit my website for collaborations.

More articles in the Rise of Remote Work series:

Future of Work: Be Your Own Boss, Live Anywhere & Work Remotely

The Biggest Skills Gap According to Jeff Weiner – And How Remote Work Helps

The traditional 9-to-5 office job doesn't make sense anymore. Here's why.

Working remote does come with its challenges. Here's how to tackle them.

9 Things I Am Most Grateful For Since Quitting My Corporate Job

Here's how to leverage LinkedIn as a remote worker in 2019.

Are you sure you want to become a remote worker? Take the check list.

Are Millennials Changing Remote Work?

#LinkedInTopStartups #InItTogether #CareerPivot #MakeTheLeap #GigEconomy #OwnYourCareer #RemoteWork #4HWW #BeYourOwnBoss