Fittr founder used lockdown to get better at playing guitar, says dad-daughter musical duo is in the making

Everyone at Fittr started working from home on March 18, even before the lockdown was announced. Jitendra Chouksey, Founder of Fittr saw the writing on the wall and knew that a big crisis was looming.

He told ET Panache, "To be honest, WFH did take some getting used to. I love my work, I enjoy interacting with my employees. I know it sounds cliché but at Fittr, we are one big family. We have a great energy at the workplace and everyone is plugged into it from the moment they come to office. There were some teething problems in the beginning. Poor Wi-Fi at home, distractions, getting used to Zoom meetings and they did seem endless! But now, everyone’s gotten used to it and we have found ways to work remotely and still keep energies up."

Work routine
It’s very important to create a small work space for yourself at home and that’s also what Chouksey has done.


"I also make sure I dress up for work just the way I used to dress up for office. My wardrobe is pretty simple – a pair of jeans and a white or black t-shirt is my uniform. They’re comfortable, and I don’t need to spend time deciding what to wear. Another thing I do – this might sound a bit strange – I put on a pair of shoes. Putting on my shoes every morning helps me check in into myself. It helps me activate the work mode and I find I’m more zoned in when I do this. I even pack my breakfast, lunch and snacks in the same tiffins that I take to work. I eat my meals at the same time that I used to when we were in office. All this, I feel, helps me stay focused on work and creates a routine that makes WFH bearable," he said.

When the lockdown started, Chouksey too was worried about what was going to happen. "A major problem was coordinating with the various teams remotely. Zoom calls took some getting used to, they simply can’t replicate a face-to-face conversation. But over time, we’ve gotten used to it. A few of us may never want to go back to the old ways of doing things, but that’s a problem for another day," he said.

Lessons learnt
Chouksey also realised that a lot of his employees were worried about their jobs. He said, "The first thing I did was to assure everyone that no one would lose their jobs because of the pandemic. I told them to concentrate on work, find a routine that works for them and to continue working with the same rigour. This helped. The teams also found a way around working remotely and that improved their performance. The most important thing was to keep all lines of communication open. My employees know that they can come to me with any problem, professional or personal. The HR team came up with fun activities that we would do at the end of the working day, just so that we could all see each other and share a laugh."

The company also launched a mental health helpline for employees as well as the larger Fittr community. "All calls would be anonymous and were handled by professionals who would lend an ear to any issues that people were facing. I value exercise and workouts, they’re a great way to keep stress at bay. The company started free online training sessions – everything from Yoga to Calisthenics and Bodyweight exercises. I encouraged my employees to join in. In fact, I even conducted a few sessions myself," he said.

Safety measure
Recently, Fittr took a bold step to help employees – they have decided that they will continue to Work From Home until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed and distributed, no matter how long that takes.

"If any employee want to return to their home towns, they may do so and continue working from there. This is a unique situation we’re facing and I’d like to ease their pain as much as possible," Chouksey said.

His day starts with a workout and that also includes cleaning up around the house. "I’ve become as adept at handling the broom as I am with the barbells. Then, a quick shower and some playtime with my daughter and it’s back to work. As part of my daily routine, I greet everyone on the employee Skype group and remind them to do three things – eat well, exercise daily and concentrate on your work! We are in this for the long haul and the only way we can stay sane is by having a daily routine," he said.

Balance basics
The only way to maintain a work-life balance is by ensuring that when you’re working, you really are working, feels Chouksey. "No TV in the background, no snacks littering your desk, no sitting around in shabby clothes as if you’re on holiday. Maintain a routine and follow it – that’s the best advice I can give. Start work at 10 am, finish all your tasks, do your calls and then, once your work’s done, log off and spend time with your family," the 33-year-old from Pune said.

Chouksey started taking boxing lessons just before the lockdown. "I didn’t want to give up that practice so I’ve set up a small home gym complete with a boxing kit. I workout here daily. I’ve also bought some barbells, dumbbells and plates, a flat bench, battle ropes and a pull-up bar. I’d urge people to do the same. You don’t need to buy all this equipment – even a pair of dumbbells and Resistance Bands will help you get a good workout. I’ve always wanted to play the guitar. I’m using the lockdown to get better at it. My daughter has been bitten by the music bug as well. Who knows – we may emerge from the lockdown as a Father-Daughter musical duo," he said with a laugh.

He is also using this time to catch up on some reading. "I prefer non-fiction, especially science and technology reads," he ended.