It’s 2024, and you’ve finally decided to move your career online. Or you’re already ‘working from home’ as you travel around the world and connect to meetings from exotic locations. In any case, remote work is the new way to work for you. And congratulations, you’re officially a digital nomad. A digital nomad (exactly as the name suggests), is someone who moves from one place to another and stays connected digitally.
This was the only good thing to come out of COVID, as being a digital nomad became more of a norm. About 5 million people are living and working as digital nomads today. This was unimaginable a few years ago.
The best way for a digital nomad to thrive is to learn from other nomads and learn from their experiences. So let’s explore the top 10 books for digital nomads, that will inspire, educate, and entertain you as you navigate the exciting world of digital nomadism. Whether you’re seeking practical advice, personal stories, or a dose of motivation, these books have got you covered.
1. “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss
This is probably the most popular book for digital nomads out there. Tim Ferriss is an entrepreneur and a lifestyle guru, and he has written the first-of-its-kind book on using technology to automate your job. This groundbreaking book introduces the concept of lifestyle design and offers practical tips on how to escape the 9-to-5 grind. It’s a must-read for aspiring digital nomads who want to achieve maximum productivity and create a life of freedom.
2. “Vagabonding” by Rolf Potts
In Vagabonding, Rolf Potts takes readers on an inspiring journey, encouraging them to embrace long-term travel and immerse themselves in different cultures. He talks more about being able to finance long-term travel and adjusting to the nomadic lifestyle by challenging the common misconception that traveling requires a lot of money.
3. “Remote: Office Not Required” by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
As a digital nomad, working remotely is your bread and butter. The authors delve into the benefits and challenges of remote work, providing practical advice on how to stay productive, collaborate effectively, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. It advocates the fact that you don’t need an office anymore to be productive, and that it is now time we let go of the idea that we need a physical space to get work done.
4. “The Suitcase Entrepreneur” by Natalie Sisson
Natalie Sisson shares her personal experiences and provides valuable guidance on how to build a successful online business while traveling the world. This book is a roadmap to becoming a digital nomad entrepreneur, offering actionable strategies and resources to help you achieve your goals. It empowers you to live life on your own terms, living anywhere in the world.
5. “The Art of Non-Conformity” by Chris Guillebeau
Chris Guillebeau challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to pursue their passions and create a life of meaning. As the name suggests, it is all about not conforming to what society tells you. It empowers you to follow a path more closely aligned with your personal priorities. So, living life on your own terms while you make a positive impact while exploring the world.
6. “Choose Yourself!” by James Altucher
This book can be life altering for those looking to step away from corporate life. James Altucher shares his personal experiences of creating a business, and losing money too. He talks about how the world is rapidly changing and how it is absolutely important to be self-reliant. This book encourages digital nomads to embrace their unique skills and talents, paving the way for success in the new economy. He is a big advocate of using your own mental, physical, emotional and spiritual powers to become a solopreneur, rather than climb an endless corporate ladder.
7. “The $100 Startup” by Chris Guillebeau
Chris Guillebeau shares 50 inspiring casestudies of individuals who turned their passions into successful micro businesses making more than $50,000 from an initial investment of $100. This book provides practical advice on how to start a business with minimal resources, making it an essential read for aspiring digital nomad entrepreneurs.
8. “The Happiness of Pursuit” by Chris Guillebeau
Yet another one of Chris Guillebeau’s book makes our list for the best books for digital nomads. And with reason! Chris explores the quest for purpose and adventure. This one is full with inspiring stories of individuals who pursued extraordinary challenges, it encourages digital nomads to embrace the thrill of the journey and find fulfillment along the way.
9. “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg
The Power of Habit, delves into how humans develop and maintain habits. Since its publication in 2012, this book has sparked extensive research and discussions on habits, particularly within the entrepreneurial and digital nomad communities. Whether one wants to lose weight, or achieve success, they key is to changing your habits. It gives you practical applications ranging from weight loss to saving money, it is highly relevant for those starting their remote work journey. As when starting a life as a digital nomad, you will have to scrap some old habits and adopt some new ones. This will help you navigate that path.
10. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
This is the ultimate guide to building positive habits, breaking negative ones, and continuously improving by just one percent each day. Clear, a bodybuilder and habits expert, emphasizes how small changes in our daily routines can lead to significant transformations in our health, happiness, productivity, and success. Drawing from diverse examples like ancient history and Olympic cycling, the book explores why we struggle to maintain good habits and provides practical strategies to increase our chances of success. If you’re seeking actionable advice to overcome habit challenges and embrace a digital nomad lifestyle, Atomic Habits is your go-to resource.
Why are these the best books for digital nomads?
These 10 books for digital nomads offer a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and practical advice to help you navigate the exciting world of location independence. From practical tips on remote work to personal stories of adventures in Madeira, and Bali, and self-discovery, each book offers a unique perspective on the digital nomad lifestyle. Whichever book you choose to start with, there’s inspiration guaranteed! Happy reading and happy nomading!
