Are you chasing freedom, or are you more into building something that lasts? If you’ve ever dreamed of working from a beach in Bali or a café in Paris, you’ve probably wondered: am I a digital nomad, or could I be a digital CEO?
These two identities may seem similar on the surface—they both involve remote work, flexibility, and travel—but they require very different mindsets. Which path aligns with your goals and lifestyle?
Freedom isn’t the same as focus
Being a digital nomad looks glamorous: open laptops by the ocean, Instagram-worthy sunsets, and endless adventure. But freedom doesn’t equate to focus. Nomads tend to prioritize flexibility and experiences, sometimes at the expense of building a structured business. Digital CEOs, on the other hand, leverage freedom as a tool, not a distraction.
A digital CEO designs their life around priorities, not impulses. They understand that freedom is most valuable when it’s paired with focus. While a nomad’s week might revolve around the next adventure, a CEO’s week revolves around building impact, systems, and revenue.
This doesn’t mean CEOs can’t travel or enjoy freedom—they just do so intentionally, with long-term vision in mind.
The three identity shifts I had to make
When I transitioned from being a digital nomad to embracing the mindset of a digital CEO, I had to go through a couple growth moments. Here are the three major shifts I experienced:
- From escapism to expansion – I stopped using travel as a way to avoid challenges and started using it as inspiration to grow my business.
- From reactive to intentional – I stopped letting opportunities dictate my day and started designing my schedule around what truly matters.
- From dreamer to builder – I shifted my focus from “living the dream” to creating something sustainable that others could rely on.
These shifts aren’t easy, but they’re crucial. If you want to move from chasing experiences to creating impact, of course.
Digital CEOs build – nomads bounce
One of the clearest differences between a digital CEO and a digital nomad is the way they approach building. Nomads often chase freedom, new places, and novel experiences. They jump from project to project, city to city, and opportunity to opportunity. While this is exciting, it often comes at the cost of depth and long-term growth.
Digital CEOs, by contrast, focus on building assets—businesses, teams, products, and systems—that can grow independently of their location. Their goal isn’t just freedom; it’s leverage. By creating something that works without them, CEOs multiply their impact while still enjoying flexibility.
Why I stopped chasing beaches
For years, I thought working from a beach was the ultimate goal. But I realized the sand, sunsets, and cocktails weren’t driving growth—they were distractions.
The breakthrough came when I stopped chasing external freedom and started creating internal freedom: freedom that comes from knowing my business is running efficiently, even when I’m not glued to my laptop.
How to move from escapism to expansion
The key is intentionality. Ask yourself: am I moving to a new location because I want to escape discomfort, or because I want to expand my influence and capabilities?
Start by setting clear goals for your business or personal growth, then align your environment and travel choices to support those goals. Expansion happens when freedom serves a purpose, not when it’s the purpose itself.
What your calendar says about your identity
So how do you know if you’re a digital nomad or a digital CEO? One simple way to understand is to look at your calendar. Is it filled with unstructured days and spontaneous trips, or strategic sessions, growth-focused tasks, and time for reflection? Your calendar is a mirror of your identity:
- digital CEOs schedule intentionally
- nomads enjoy a free schedule and spontaneity
By auditing your calendar, you can see whether you’re living as a nomad, a CEO, or somewhere in between.
