iD Fresh Food CEO stresses on need for downtime, recharges with a game of soccer or online chess

The pandemic has put certain things on pause for us but it has also given us the opportunity to discover new aspects of life we enjoy. P.C Musthafa, CEO, iD Fresh Food says that even though there are restrictions, there has also been a silver lining to the situation. “There are several things I miss about life as we knew it, before the pandemic struck. Travelling fearlessly, for instance,” he says.

However what he misses the most is the ‘touch and feel’ factor, particularly in terms of product innovation. “While remote working has been an effective way to get things done, there are certain aspects that are not quite the same,” he shares. But, he’s looking on the brighter side of life. “I must admit that the silver lining to the pandemic is the time I got to spend with my parents. Since the lockdown was first announced in March last year, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy some truly precious family moments. I think I have become a better son and a better human being,” adds Musthafa.

Working From Home
Working remotely has had his fair share of challenges and Musthafa says that he stayed motivated by coming to terms with the fact that the situation could not be changed. “You know that saying about not being able to change the direction of the wind. Life has taught me time and again that if I can adjust my sails, I can reach my destination,” he says.

And he and his team have learnt to adapt. “We transformed ourselves from an offline company to an online company over the span of three days. I find motivation in all amazing people, including the folks I work with. In the pre-pandemic era, I used to meet the team once a quarter. But since last March, I’ve been meeting them virtually every day,” he says.

Part of staying motivated at work means that you should get an adequate amount of downtime to recharge your batteries. For Musthafa, soccer was his go-to activity. “Downtime, for me, could mean different things on different days. Basically, it has to be something that helps me disconnect for a while and reconnect with myself. I love playing soccer. I enjoy travelling and spending time with nature. I also pray and meditate regularly – it’s a spiritual energy booster,” he shares. Playing indoor cricket and online chess is also something he enjoys. “It started as a substitute for my daily soccer practice and I believe I’ve been getting pretty good at both games,” he adds happily.