What is a Digital Nomad?

Image courtesy of kangotraveler

In the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the number of people
hopping off from one country to another. Real people who've decided to ditch regular
life as we know it to head off to some other part of the world. You may know them
as digital nomads, location independents and vagabonds. Tim Ferriss of the 4 Hour 
Work Week, you sure put a lot of icing on this cake.

I had a funny conversation with my mom on why digital nomads, location independents
and vagabonds exist. You have to understand, there are many Overseas Filipino
Workers aka OFWs living and working in various parts of the world. OFWs usually
go overseas because there are better job prospects overseas. Yes, it is usually a case
of necessity. Most would rather be at home with their families; if only...

On the other hand, digital nomads, location independents and vagabonds, go overseas
for more personal reasons. They usually just want to experience what life has to offer
in this side of the world. Yes, a great number of them are here in Asia. Lo and behold,
a bunch of them were recently in my backyard for their MBA. They're here to try out
the food, the culture and the slower pace of life. Of course, it's a plus that their Dollars
and Euros go a long way here.

Mind you, this lifestyle is not just for slackers. A good number of them are
entrepreneurs. And how do they manage that? Virtual Assistants, like myself, are
hired by these digital nomads, location independents and vagabonds to ensure that
work gets done even while they're in some tropical isle.

If you're wondering, Is this for real? Or, Has the world really changed that much?
Oh yes, it most definitely has.

My life as a Virtual Assistant is taking on a new direction; hopefully for the better.
I will try to post more on this. Stay tuned.

My 2011 Mid Year Assessment

Image by fboyd

I'm a bit disappointed with things. For the longest time, I've been
trying to be disciplined about the frequency of my blogging. In the
first half of 2011, I've attended this and done this just to keep the
momentum rolling. I was blogging pretty regularly this April and
May until reaaalllly bad internet connection started the decline.

Excuses. Excuses.

Now that Im back at square one, allow me to share with you the
learnings I gained when I was in better form.

1. SEO is a discipline.
Yes, I HAD proudly hit the Google Search front page for "Pinoy Mom".
Whooooppeeeee! And then --- I stopped blogging --- and now I'm back
to 3rd Page which is really nowhere because nobody checks the 3rd
Page.

Lesson learned: First work on getting to the top, then work on staying
on top.

2. Promote Promote Promote
This might come as a shock to some of you but, I'm a pretty private
person. It just so happens that I like to write. Anyway, I've been
blogging for 2 1/2 yrs now but not that many people knew that. When
I finally out-ed myself as a blogger, I was pleasantly surprised by the
encouragement I received from friends. Oh yeah, that helped improve
my blog stats too.

Lesson learned: There are people out there who're wanting and waiting
to read your story. Be bold and let them know that you're online.

3. Live your best life.
I am pretty blessed because I'm in a happy place. Life is not perfect
but I'm finally at a point where I'm enjoying the ride. Of course, it
wasn't always this way. Once upon a time, I too had a job that just
paid the bills. But I didn't let it end there. I went about finding
what life had to offer. I'm not totally there yet. But I'd like to
think that Im on my way there. As a bonus, I get affirmed by those
who've told me they've been inspired by the blog.

Lesson learned: You deserve the best that life has to offer. Take
baby steps if you must but dont stop until you're where you're meant
to be.


Don't you stil have the rest of June?!?

If you think this assessment has come out too early, it hasn't. I
have big stuff headed my way in the next few months. My options -
work scared or work excited. I'll be honest and say I'm forging ahead
with a cocktail of both. I will update you all as things progress. Wish
me luck!