Chapter 169: Get Away From Some Of It All

Preparing for Summer Digital Nomad Adventures with AI

Hey friends—Nik here ☀️✈️

It's that sweet spot in the year when your brain starts craving a change of scenery. Whether it’s working from a balcony in Barcelona, a beach café in Bali, or just your cousin’s place in another city, summer is the perfect time to shake up your environment—especially if you’re a remote worker.

But digital nomad life isn’t always as breezy as the TikToks make it seem. Between figuring out time zones, travel logistics, workspace setups, and actually getting your work done, it can feel overwhelming fast. The good news? AI can take a ton of that mental load off your shoulders.

In this post, we’re diving into how AI can help you prep, travel, and thrive this summer—without dropping the ball on your productivity.

Why Digital Nomad Life Isn’t Just a Vacation

Let’s clear something up: traveling while working is not a vacation—it’s a balancing act. You're still meeting deadlines, managing emails, and showing up for your team. But instead of doing it all from your usual space, you're doing it from unfamiliar Wi-Fi zones, juggling language barriers, and adjusting to time changes.

To make the most of the freedom nomad life offers, you need structure with flexibility. That’s where AI comes in—helping you plan your days, streamline communication, and even find your next great workspace. Think of it like having a super-organized assistant in your pocket, available 24/7, who doesn’t get jet lag.

Tools You Can Use

Here’s your AI-powered toolkit for travel planning and on-the-go productivity:

• ​Tripnotes AI: Feed it your travel ideas and it generates full itineraries, including workspace-friendly stops, accommodations, and time zone-aware scheduling.
• ​Nomad List: Use this to choose your base with data on Wi-Fi speed, safety, affordability, and expat-friendly cities.
• ​ChatGPT: From making packing lists to generating time zone–converted schedules or writing professional “OOO but not really” emails—this is your behind-the-scenes co-pilot.
• ​Clockwise: Automatically shifts meetings and focus time around your changing schedule and availability across time zones.
• ​Fora: Combines human travel planners with AI insights to help you book smarter travel routes, hotels, and even day trips that work with your work hours.

Midweek Vibes Check: Your Nomad Prep List 🧳

Since it’s Workflow Wednesday, here’s your actionable “get your life together before you hit the road” checklist:

🧠 Mindset Check:

• Do I want this trip to be more work-heavy or more experience-rich?
• How much availability do I actually want to have while away?

📅 Logistics Planning:

• Use AI to map your current weekly schedule across your target city’s time zone.
• Build in “buffer days” for travel—don’t schedule anything critical within 24 hours of arrival.

🖥 Workspace Readiness:

• Research (or ask ChatGPT to research) coworking spaces or cafés with outlets, good Wi-Fi, and low noise.
• Test your VPN ahead of time. Trust me on this.

🧳 Packing Light + Smart:

• Ask ChatGPT to generate a packing list based on weather, gear, and your activities.
• Invest in a travel router, noise-canceling headphones, and a universal adapter if you haven’t already.

📶 Connectivity Plans:

• Get an eSIM or local SIM plan with a strong data package.
• Download offline maps, language apps, and backup travel docs just in case.

📌 Travel Routine Tips:

• Book lodging that supports good sleep and work posture—your productivity (and back) will thank you.
• Stick to consistent wake/sleep hours. Even with time zone changes, your brain thrives on rhythm.

YOU + AI: A Real Travel Planning Chat

You: “I want to try the digital nomad thing this summer, but I’m already overwhelmed. What if I mess up my work-life balance and regret it?”

AI: “Totally valid. Let's start small. Where are you thinking of going, and for how long?”
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​You: “Maybe Lisbon for two weeks. I’ve got flexible hours but some client calls I can’t miss.”
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AI: “Perfect. Let’s map your calls to Lisbon time and build a sample daily routine around them. Want some café or coworking suggestions too?”
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You: “Sure—but how do I not burn out? I tend to overbook myself when I travel.”
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AI: “Let’s add buffer blocks in your schedule for walks, meals, and a hard cutoff in the evening. You can also set up gentle reminders to check in with yourself and adjust if needed.”
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You: “And packing? I always forget something important.”
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AI: “Want a packing checklist tailored to Lisbon in July, including your work gear and backup Wi-Fi options? I’ve got you.”
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You: “This is why I need AI in my life.”

You Got This 🌍

Remote work is freedom—but only if you make space for it to actually feel freeing. You don’t have to plan everything down to the minute, but having systems in place (especially AI-powered ones) gives you the space to enjoy the adventure.

Let AI do the heavy lifting—scheduling, planning, even helping you remember your charger—so you can do what you came for: explore, connect, and thrive. Your future self, sipping espresso with a laptop and a view, will thank you.

What About You?

Are you hitting the road this summer? Planning your first digital nomad experience—or maybe just a weekend workcation? Drop a reply—I’d love to hear where you’re headed and what you’re most excited (or nervous!) about.

Have a great rest of the week.

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Nikola Harper, Editor, Workflow Wednesdays, 10xYOU​

PS: You can always email me directly at nik@10xyou.us​

PPS: Like newsletters? Here are others you might enjoy.

PPPS: Check out Ben's latest book, Write A Book In One Day. I'm so jealous! I'm working on my own book using some of his techniques. If you are interested in reading a book on getting more productive with AI, let me know. Love to hear what's important to you. Drop me a reply.

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