Being a digital Nomad
Humans are wired for movement. 90,000+ generations as hunter-gatherers – nomadic tribes thriving on adaptability, resourcefulness, minimalism. Fast-forward: apartments, desks, 9-5 grind. No wonder burnout epidemics.
At 51, I reclaimed it: full-time caravan nomad (Adria Action Sport, 8m² luxury). Ex-CEO coaching leaders worldwide from Swedish forests to Norwegian fjords. Digital nomad life isn't vacation – it's self-leadership evolution. Here's what 90,000 generations taught me, applied to modern leadership.
The Nomad Reset: Why I Went Mobile (And Stayed)
CEO days: corner office, traffic jams, "strategic meetings." Post-exit: caravan leap. Why? Evolution. Our ancestors didn't hoard – they carried what mattered, moved with seasons.
Month 1 shock: No fixed address = pure freedom. Client workshop Göteborg? Drive overnight. Sales call Asia? Solar-powered at 3AM fjäll.
Reality check: 6 months in, productivity up 30%. Why? Nomad wiring.
Lesson 1: Minimalism = Evolutionary Superpower (Declutter DNA)
Hunter-gatherers carried spears, not sofas. One backpack max. Modern trap: Stuff + commitments overload prefrontal cortex (decision fatigue).
My caravan rule: Fewer, better. 5 shirts, 1 laptop, SLII notes. Result? Laser focus.
Leadership hack: Audit like a nomad. Sales teams I coach: "Pipeline backpack" – 3 high-impact actions/day. Daily distractions? Leave them behind and move on.
Lesson 2: Adaptability > Comfort (Survival Mode On)
Nomads read weather, terrain, prey. Talking rigid plans days in and out? Well, it would have lead to human extinction.
Caravan truth: Rain or snow? Work inside. Flat tire or other issue? Fix roadside, when it’s proper timing. Client no-show (happens very seldom..)? Pivot to blog or focus on new prospects.
Self-leadership tie: SLII perfection. S3 (high skill, variable will) for nomads: support your adaptability, how to excellence under pressure.
Lesson 3: Mobility Fuels Creativity (Wander to Wonder)
Ancestors innovated fireside, static villages bred stagnation. My edge: Ideas flow driving (podcasts → insights), hiking (client strategies). Caravan desk: no walls, endless views.
For you: "Nomad walks" – 20min daily, solve one problem. Sigma Tech execs: sales ideas doubled post-walks.
Coming home after a two days client trip.
Lesson 4: Community on the Move (Tribes Without Zip Codes)
Nomads formed fluid packs. Loyalty > location. Digital twist: Zoom tribes. My network: Stockholm HR VP, Oslo sales director, global mentees. Caravan parks = serendipity (met M&A pro last week).
DISC nomad: I-types network nomadically. Course tip: Build "virtual tribes" via weekly check-ins.
Lesson 5: Sustainability = Longevity (Hunt Smart, Not Hard)
Nomads preserved resources – overkill meant famine. Caravan ethos: Solar, reuse, low costs (40% savings). Mentally: energy budgeting (deep work 4h/day max).
Leadership parallel: SLII S4 delegating for burnout-proof teams.
The Dark Side: Nomad Challenges (No Rose-Tinted Vanlife)
Isolation: Weeks solo. Fix: Scheduled calls with clients/friends
Skepticism: "Unstable for exec coach?" Clients disagree – results speak, alla my clients I discuss with are positive.
Evolutionary win: Sustainability and Environmentally friendly
Your Nomad Leadership Framework (5 easy Steps Back towards your Roots)
Pack lighter: Declutter desk/life/backpack (30min audit)
Move daily: "Nomad walk" 30 min for ideas/breathing
Adapt weekly: SLII self-check: What's my situational status today?
Tribe up: 3 key connections, location-free, that always pick up
Sustain: Energy audit – sleep, unplug, de-digitalize.
Reclaim Your Inner Nomad – Leaders First
90,000+ generations didn't conquer ice ages from sofas - digital nomad life proves: mobility unlocks human potential.
Book a free call to explore how my life and leadership experience can bring fresh energy, ideas and development to your organization.
