Embracing the Remote Workplace: A Year at Fyle
Embracing the Remote Workplace: A Year at Fyle
Introduction
Hi Folks, my name is Ritvik. I work in the Customer Experience team here at Fyle. My day-to-day tasks comprise helping admins with any questions they may have, coordinating with internal teams to get them unblocked, and also training them as to how they can use our software!
So you can say I teach people how to use Fyle for a living :)
As I reflect on my one-year journey at Fyle, I am filled with gratitude and a sense of accomplishment. It has been a year of growth, fun, and crucial lessons learned. In this article, I'll share some invaluable lessons I've learned during my time here.
The Power of Exceptional Company
They say you are the people you surround yourself with. At Fyle, I've had the privilege of working alongside some exceptional individuals. It would be safe to say that the style of working I have developed is a result of working with such people. Having smarter people in the room pushes you to do better but also gives a challenging thrill.
Culture: More Than Just Buzzwords
Culture isn't just a buzzword at Fyle; it's the heartbeat of our organization. From our customer-first principle to our open feedback-driven environment, Fyle's culture fosters empathy, respect, and collaboration. We celebrate wins together and learn from setbacks. Working in this environment has helped me learn the bare minimum one should expect from a top-notch organization.
Mutual respect, punctuality, accountability as well as recognition are some key factors that one should always consider while joining any organization. Fyle has done a splendid job in all these aspects so far!
Juggling Simultaneous Tasks
In a fast-paced remote environment, multitasking is essential. Working in startups is synonymous with wearing different hats at different times. I've learned to work on multiple initiatives, prioritize tasks efficiently, and maintain focus on what matters most. Of course, much like any learning it is a journey. It is a skill I aspire to refine further.
Embrace the chaos; it's where growth happens.
Efficiency: The Art of Getting Things Done
Efficiency isn't about working longer hours; it's about working smarter. It has to be one of my greatest learnings to finally come to terms that everyone will have to eventually find their unique approach to things. Efficiency is a superpower; wield it wisely.
Key learning: Focus
Tackling challenging tasks is like assembling a complex puzzle—manageable when broken down into smaller pieces. Each small victory adds up, making you more proficient over time. When I started my career, I believed that the hardest worker was the one who took on the most tasks. However, I soon realized that loading up on too many responsibilities only slows you down.
I used to aspire to accomplish everything at once, but I learned a valuable lesson when my tasks were delayed because I had too many on my plate. If only I had broken them down into smaller, manageable goals and focused on a few at a time, I would have already completed some and moved on to the next set. This experience taught me that it's better to set a few key goals and focus on achieving them quickly and efficiently.
Crush one goal - move on to the next. Simple as that.
Learning from Mistakes
Never shy away from feedback, Mistakes are stepping stones to growth. Feedback is our compass. Regular one-on-ones with my manager and candid conversations with colleagues have helped me refine my skills. Constructive feedback fuels improvement, and I actively seek it out.
Fyle encourages a blame-free environment where we analyze failures, learn from them, and iterate. Every setback should be looked at as an opportunity to come back stronger.
Every mistake is an opportunity for us to reflect within and find out what we can improve upon.
Co-workers: Your Greatest Strength
Our co-workers are more than colleagues; they're allies. When faced with challenges, we collaborate, brainstorm, and find solutions together. Their diverse perspectives and unwavering support have made me much stronger.
Learn to depend on your colleagues for help, and always have their back when they require yours.
The most important lesson: Balance
Working remotely often sounds thrilling and advantageous, but it certainly has its drawbacks. Over time, I have learned that maintaining a balance between work life and personal life is crucial, especially if you work from home.
When your home doubles as your office, the distinction between professional and personal environments blurs. Work can easily seep into your personal life, making it difficult to switch off.
Family and friends might not always recognize that you are in fact “working”. This can lead to misconceptions and an expectation that remote work is easy.
However, the reality is quite different. The absence of a physical boundary between work and home makes it challenging to mentally disconnect from work.
Moreover, remote work often means minimal face-to-face interaction with colleagues. As an introvert, I find it even more challenging to meet friends or socialize.
To counteract this, I developed habits that helped me maintain a healthy lifestyle. I started spending quality time with myself, picking up new skills, learning about new topics, or simply going for drives.
Meeting friends occasionally helps recharge my social battery. These activities not only improve my mental well-being but also enhance my work performance by allowing me to fully focus when I'm in work mode and to unwind completely when I log off.
This balance has been instrumental in fostering a positive mental health state over the past few months. It’s an ongoing learning process, and I expect it to evolve as I continue to navigate remote work. The most important lesson I've learned from this experience is the value of creating clear boundaries and prioritizing self-care to thrive in a remote work setting.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance while working remotely requires setting a daily routine, creating a dedicated workspace, time-blocking your schedule, and making after-work plans to transition from work to personal time. Regular breaks and maintaining healthy relationships outside of work are also essential.
Conclusion
My year at Fyle has been transformative. Remote work isn’t just about location; it’s about mindset, adaptability, and resilience. Fyle’s culture has taught me that even in a virtual world, we can build meaningful connections and achieve remarkable feats. So here’s to Fyle, to my exceptional colleagues, and to the beautiful culture we embody. By embracing these challenges and rewards, I hope to inspire others to see that growth and success are built one step at a time.