I think there is something about coming to work in the right head space. My commute when I was commuting was over an hour. It was brutal.
– Erin on how remote work allows her to manage the tone of how she starts her work day
Listen to the Work From Home Forever Podcast
Meet Erin, Associate Director in Clinical Research
On this episode of the Work From Home Forever podcast, we chat with Erin T. Erin has spent nearly 20 years in the clinical research industry and since 2010 she has worked from home full-time. 6 years ago, Erin and her husband purchased a 5th wheel and since 2021, she has been working from anywhere in her RV.
Erin talks about the tips and tracks working from her RV and how she maintains strong team engagement with unique virtual team building exercises and the routines she keeps to keep her focused on her team, her colleagues and her clients.
To find more about Erin, you can connect with her via LinkedIn or via Instagram to check out her travels on the road! Be sure to visit our website for Erin’s list of virtual team-building ideas!
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Q & A with Erin
Why did you want to Work From Home Forever?
- I wanted to be able to travel. Working from home allows me the flexibility to work from anywhere!
How long have you been Working From Home, Forever?
- Started in 2010, but have been WFH in my RV since 2016!
What trade offs, if any, did you make in order to Work From Home Forever?
- A ton! Some good and bad, but mostly good. The money saved on clothes, gas, vehicle maintenance, going out to lunch, etc was a huge win. I did miss out initially on the social aspect, but there are so many great alternatives for meetings now that you can feel like your on an office even virtually.
How do you manage work/life balance Working From Home, Forever?
- This is a funny question because I find myself asking those who work from an office ‘How do you manage working from an office!?!?!’ I keep balance by closing the laptop and not letting work become home.
What’s your best advice to others who want to Work From Home Forever?
- Keep your routine, to some extent. While you may love working from your pjs initially, you’ll find that by keeping to a normal trout one that includes putting on real clothes will make it feel like your ‘office’ is just like any other office.
What are your three must-haves to Work From Home, Forever?
- Good internet!! Wireless headset and comfy slippers. 🙂
Erin’s favorite virtual team-building activities
Paint & Sip
Painting to Gogh offers team events that Erin has done with her team in the past!
Truffle Party
Tiny B Chocolates hosted a virtual chocolate making classs for Erin and her colleagues.
Pictionary
Erin’s team has played Pictionary at their monthly team events using whiteboard apps available on Teams and Zoom.
Other virtual team-building ideas from Erin:
- Scavenger Hunt Bingo – make a bingo card with random objects from your home and call them like bingo and if the person can bring back the item and share with the group, they can cross it off the list. This is great because you can usually get a gun story about the item!
- ‘You’re on Mute’ – this is my spin on the game Hearing Things. I give someone a phrase and they put themselves on mute and the rest try to guess what they’re saying.
From Cocktails to Content: Navigating Career Shifts in the Remote World (Best Of) – Work From Home Forever
- From Cocktails to Content: Navigating Career Shifts in the Remote World (Best Of)
- 2.19 From Landscaping to Coding: Thriving with Autism in a Remote Environment
- 2.18 From Corporate Disillusionment to Entrepreneurial Empowerment
- 2.17 Building Belonging: The SAIR Collective Story with Corey Williams
- 2.16 Yvette Estime, Co-Founder of Dirty Celebrity: From Toxic Corporate Culture to Fashion Entrepreneur
