In this post, discover practical, real-world strategies for staying productive while working across time zones and choosing between coworking spaces or cafés — with personal tips from life on the road. Whether you're after deep focus or creative flow, find the right balance for your digital nomad routine.
Being a digital nomad is more than “working with your feet in the sand.” It requires discipline, flexibility, and a good dose of self-awareness. Two of the biggest challenges in the nomadic lifestyle are:
I’ve faced both in various parts of the world — and here’s what really works (plus what looks good on Instagram but makes your routine harder).
Working with European clients while you’re in Asia sounds fine — until you have to present a project at 2 AM. Here are the strategies that have worked best for me and other nomads I’ve met:
Choose a fixed block of time (e.g., 10 AM to 4 PM local time) when you're always available. This builds routine and helps align expectations with clients and teams.
If you're a freelancer or work on creative tasks, being “ahead” can be a win: deliver before your client even wakes up. For example, I wrote content in Vietnam at night, and my client in Lisbon received it first thing in the morning. Magic.
Don't expect clients to guess you’re 6 hours ahead. Add your time zone in your email signature, Slack status, WhatsApp, or wherever you communicate. Use automated replies if you're offline during peak hours.
Apps like TimeBuddy or phone widgets help you quickly check “what time it is in Brazil” (or wherever your team is). Seems obvious — until you schedule a meeting at 10 and show up 4 hours late.
Frequent time changes mess with sleep, focus, and mood. When arriving in a new country, block off two days to adjust your internal clock. Pro tip: early morning sunlight helps realign your circadian rhythm.
When to choose coworking:
What to look for:
Pro tip: Always test with a day pass. Some coworking spaces look great online but are noisy, overly social, or just not your vibe. Trust your energy.
When to choose cafés:
What to bring:
Pro tip: Always ask if working is okay. Some cafés welcome nomads — others don’t love laptops on every table. Respect the vibe.
Most experienced nomads mix both:
You don’t have to choose one forever — use both as tools for different needs and energies.
After lots of trial and error, what worked best for me — and many fellow nomads — is a hybrid setup:
This keeps your brain stimulated, your body moving, and your energy balanced.
In the digital nomad lifestyle, productivity and freedom go hand in hand — but freedom without structure leads to chaos. Plan your schedule, try different workspaces, and adjust as you learn more about how you work best.
You don’t need a rigid office routine — but you do need a rhythm that works for you.
Productivity doesn’t come from the perfect location — it comes from knowing what you need, wherever you are.
Let your task dictate the space — not your mood or the aesthetics. Where you work should support what you need to get done.
