6 life skills that can buy your freedom

😎 6 Life Skills That Can Buy Your Freedom

Hey there my freedom seeking friend!

You're likely sitting on a goldmine of skills right now.

If you’ve had a lifetime of writing reports, managing teams, building relationships, solving problems and such like, you have more than enough skills to create enough income online to fund your travels.

Everyone focuses on the tech, bamboozling you with terminology that makes them sound smart, but the truth is;

The tech part is the easy bit! 

What's much more valuable is your experience, judgement, and problem-solving abilities. These are things that can't be replicated by AI or taught in a quick online course.

The most successful people working from anywhere aren't the young digital natives (they’re just the ones who have taken over the TikTok or YouTube feeds).

Dig a bit deeper (like in our nomad group) and you’ll find thousands of seasoned professionals who've taken their life skills and transformed them into tools of freedom.

Here are 6 skills you've already mastered (or could use your decades of experience to master quickly and easily) that could be your ticket to location freedom;

1. Content Writing & Editing

Think of all the business reports you’ve read, detailed emails you’ve written, letters, postcards, even helping with homework! Every word you’ve read or written is the foundation for creating content that people want to read. 

Whether it's sharing your hobby expertise through a newsletter, building a following on Medium, crafting engaging social posts about your passions, or writing product descriptions for your own online store – your ability to communicate clearly is gold. 

Quick Start Tip: Start a free newsletter on Substack about a topic you love. Write three articles a week and share them with your network. As you build confidence and an audience you can expand and start exploring platforms like Medium's Partner Program or Ghost to further monetize your writing.

2. Online Teaching & Coaching

All those things you've learned the hard way over the years, like parenting, managing. a household, looking after your health, getting and holding down a variety of jobs and so on.

It’s all valuable knowledge someone else needs right now. Whether it's business strategy, life transitions, career changes, or even hobby-based skills – there's an audience willing to learn from you.

The platforms available today make it incredibly simple to start. Zoom for one-on-one sessions, Udemy for courses, Facebook Groups for community coaching, or combine teaching with community building on Circle – the tech is easier than ever to navigate.

Quick Start Tip: Start with a free 30-minute workshop on your area of expertise. Test different platforms - Skool for community-based learning, Udemy for courses, or even YouTube for building an audience first.

3. Virtual Business Support

Think about all the organisational skills you've developed throughout your career. Now imagine applying those to help other business owners get their digital lives in order.

Virtual Business Support (or VA work) can cover anything from basic admin to becoming a trusted right-hand person to busy entrepreneurs. And the great thing about the freelancing market is that you can pick and choose jobs that match your skills.

From email management to project coordination, from customer service to basic social media – these are all skills you probably already have, just packaged differently.

Quick Start Tip: Create a profile on Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer - these platforms are actively seeking VAs. Start with a specific service packages (like email management or basic admin). 

(Pro tip: Sort jobs by "most recent" to be one of the first to apply. As you gain experience, you can build your own website and client base for higher rates.)

4. Consulting in Your Field of Expertise

Whatever industry you've worked in, there's a business owner somewhere who needs your expertise. The key is to package your knowledge into specific solutions.

Maybe you were in HR? Companies need help with remote team management. Sales background? Help businesses improve their client acquisition process.

Remember, although it may feel like it, you're not starting from scratch – you're leveraging decades of experience in a new way.

Quick Start Tip: Write down three specific problems you've solved in your career - these are your first consulting offerings. Create a profile on Clarity.fm where people can book consultation calls with you based on your expertise. Also check out platforms like Growth Mentor and GLG where you can consult in your industry niche.

5. Digital Product Creation

Your life experience is perfect for creating digital products that solve real problems. 

Think practical solutions:

• A retirement transition planner based on your career change experience,

• A grandparents guide to modern technology,

• A productivity journal for people switching to remote work,

• A menopause tracker & journal based on your own experiences  

The beauty of digital products is they can earn while you sleep, giving you true location independence.

Quick Start Tip: What's one process you've perfected that others struggle with? Turn it into a simple template or guide using Canva and list it on Gumroad (perfect for digital products) or Etsy (great for templates and printables). Both platforms have huge built-in audiences looking for solutions.

6. Community Building & Management

Seth Godin recently said (I’m paraphrasing);

 'If I were starting again today, I would build a community around a passionate topic and connect people.' 

The online world craves authentic connection - especially in the age of AI. 

Your life experience and emotional intelligence are perfect for building engaged communities.

Think about your passions:

• Gardening?

• Travel?

• Photography?

• Personal development?

There are platforms perfect for every interest - from Facebook Groups to Discord servers, Skool communities to Circle spaces. 

The key is choosing a topic you're genuinely excited about and connecting with others who share that passion. 

Quick Start Tip: Join 2-3 thriving online communities in your area of interest. Notice what makes them effective. Then start your own small community around a specific aspect of your passion. Remember, it's better to have 100 engaged members than 10,000 lurkers.

(Pro Tip: Be super obvious with the name of your community. The more it says what it does on the tin, the more people you’ll stat to attract organically.)

We always think we need to know more and learn more, when we already have many of the key skills that can help us become location independent.

Start with what you know best, then gradually expand your digital skills. You don't need to master everything at once. Pick one skill that aligns with your experience and start there.

Remember, every expert you see online started as a beginner. The difference is they started.

Here’s how to identify your unique skillset and get started on your journey to freedom;

👥 Join the Community

Get around like minded nomads who share your dreams and visions! Swap stories, pictures, hacks and tips for for boosting your income on the move, exploring new destinations, chasing dreams, and living your best life!

📝 Featured Article

Money worries holding back your nomadic dreams?

This article with travel budget tips from my favourite UK show ‘Race Across the World’ is for you!

🗺️ Nomad Tip of the Week

🍫Staying Energised: 6 Healthy Travel Snacks That Fit in Your Carry-On

I’m always amazed at how little healthy food there is available in airports. In Bangkok recently I was shocked to find, tucked between the KFC, the Dunkin Donuts and the McDonalds, a small sweet shop which had a basket of bananas on the counter. 

The onboard options of many airlines aren’t much better! And yet I do like a little nibble while on the plane, or a late night snack on arrival.

So my suggestion is to skip the overpriced crappy airport food and pack these nutritious, healthy snacks instead:

1. Mixed Nuts and Dried Fruit 

Create your own trail mix with unsalted nuts and unsweetened dried fruits. High in protein and natural energy, without added sugars.

(For those with a sweeter tooth, sprinkle in a few jelly beans. One of my besties always brings nuts & jelly beans hiking and they taste amazing together!).

2. Protein Bars 

Choose bars with minimal ingredients and low sugar. Look for at least 10g protein and under 200 calories.

3. Instant Oatmeal Packets

Perfect for hotel breakfasts. Just add hot water from the coffee maker. Pack single-serve portions in zip-lock bags.

4. Dark Chocolate 

Rich in antioxidants and mood-boosting compounds. Choose 70% cocoa or higher for the greatest health benefits and lower risk of melting.

5. Dried Seaweed Snacks 

Light, crispy, and full of minerals. Takes up minimal space and satisfies salt cravings.

6. Electrolyte Powder Packets 

Mix with water to stay hydrated and maintain energy levels during long flights.

Pro Tip: Pack snacks in clear, resealable bags for easy security screening.

🧭 Travel Trivia

Which country’s national animal is the unicorn?

Though it may sound mythical, this country chose the unicorn as a symbol of purity and strength. It appears on the country’s royal coat of arms. 

Can you name this country?

That’s All Folks!

That’s it from me this week. I hope it’s been useful!

Make sure to come and join the group to connect with me and meet fellow nomads.

Have a fabulous week, live your best life and as always get out there and make it happen!

Jo 😊 

Affiliate Disclaimer; Please assume some of the links in this email are affiliate links. Clicking on an affiliate link doesn’t cost you anything, but might generate enough for me to buy a cold one at the end of a long travel day! 😎 I only recommend products, services, businesses or people I've personally used or connected with, and believe can add value to your business & life. If you choose to purchase from any of my links, thanks so much for your support! 😊