How to Stay Productive as a Digital Nomad Without Losing Focus
Living as a nomad and staying productive is a question that keeps coming up. I’ve spent years living in both hostels and hotels—two very different worlds. In hotels, especially the high-end ones like Hyatt or Hilton, I’d find a quiet spot to work and sometimes relax. Hostels, on the other hand, meant sharing dorms with triple bunk beds, people coming and going at all hours, and a constant buzz. Yet, I managed to get work done in both.
Traveling across so many countries, I’ve had to deal with wild time zone differences. For example, going from Europe to New Zealand means a 10 to 12-hour time gap. It can really throw you off. My trick? If the time difference isn’t huge—say, between Australia and Thailand, which is just three hours—I stick to my original time zone. I wake up early, sometimes at 4 or 5 am, which I actually enjoy. In Thailand, 5 am is already 8 am in Australia, so I get a head start and finish work earlier in the day.
Whenever I fly, I set my watch to the destination’s time as soon as I board the plane. This helps me adjust while I’m still in the air. Sure, sometimes I can’t sleep, but flying always tires me out, so I use a sleeping eye mask and noise-cancelling headphones. These two things are game-changers, especially for overnight buses or ferries. I’ve done countless night trips—Wellington to Auckland by bus, Dublin to Manchester by ferry and bus—and being able to sleep anywhere makes a huge difference.
I’ve learned that everyone has their own way of getting started in a new place. Personally, I can sleep almost anywhere, even in crowded dorms. But when you’re traveling, the temptation to see and do everything is real. The key is to always tackle your most important task first thing in the morning. Whether you’re freelancing, working on your own product, or have a regular job, do the hardest thing first. “Eat the frog,” as they say. Once that’s done, you’re free for the rest of the day, without that mental weight hanging over you.
If you’re a freelancer, this is even more important. Work in the morning, and by early afternoon, you can enjoy your day. Keep a good routine: go to bed early, wake up early, and always start with what matters most. I’ve made the mistake of putting off work until the evening, only to end up working late into the night, feeling exhausted and frustrated. Productivity drops, and you end up wondering why things take so long. But if you start early, you’re fresh, you work faster, and you have the whole day ahead of you.
When I was in Thailand, keeping the Australian time zone made everything easier. I’d start work at 9 am Australian time (which is 5 or 6 am in Thailand), finish by early afternoon, and then have the rest of the day to myself. In New Zealand, I made the mistake of switching to local time, even though the difference was just two hours. Even a small time change can mess with your rhythm for days. So if the time difference is only a couple of hours, stick to your original schedule.
Another tip: focus on the 20% of tasks that bring 80% of the results. Don’t waste energy on things that don’t matter. When you’re on the road, your energy is precious. If you get motion sickness on buses or ferries, don’t force yourself to work—listen to an audiobook instead. Accept your limits.
Coworking spaces and libraries are lifesavers, especially in English-speaking countries. Libraries are free, have good internet, and you can stay for hours. Hotel bars can also work—order a coffee, say you’re waiting for someone, and you can stay a while, though the internet might not always be free.
Sometimes, you just need stability. Book a week in a nice hotel or an apartment hotel with a desk. Long-term stays help you settle in and get more done. I’ve often chosen the cheapest option, but sometimes it’s worth investing a bit more for your productivity.
There are always those awkward hours between check-out and check-in. I always head to a café with my backpack and work there until it’s time to move. This way, I don’t lose half a day just wandering around.
When I worked for a flexible company, I’d fly out on Thursday evenings, work from an Airbnb or hotel on Friday, and then explore the city over the weekend. Sunday night, I’d fly back. I did this all over Scandinavia and the UK. Sometimes, I’d take the night ferry, sleep on board, and go straight to the office in the morning. Not always the most productive, but it worked.
The main lesson? Build routines that work for you, wherever you are. Use simple tools like eye masks and headphones. Tackle the most important task first. Don’t be afraid to invest in comfort when you need it. And always remember: start living the life you want now—don’t put it off.
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”
— Stephen Covey
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
Key Takeaways
- Always do your most important task first thing in the morning.
- Stick to your original time zone if the difference is small.
- Use simple tools—eye mask, headphones—to sleep anywhere.
- Invest in comfort and stability when you need to get things done.
- Focus on the 20% of tasks that give you 80% of the results.
- Use libraries, coworking spaces, and cafés to stay productive on the move.
Action Steps
- Set your watch to your destination’s time as soon as you board the plane.
- Pack a sleeping mask and noise-cancelling headphones.
- Identify your “frog” and eat it first every day.
- Choose comfort over savings when it matters for your work.
- Find your favorite work spots in every city.
Reflection
- What’s the one thing you need to finish each day to feel accomplished?
- Are you investing enough in your own comfort and productivity?
- How can you adjust your routine to work better for you, wherever you are?
Pierre-Henry Soria
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