Hello! I am Axel von Arnold, Senior Consultant at Tyto, and this is my location-agnostic life. In this series, we want to highlight the freedom our model enables and how we navigate any challenges it presents.
What’s your morning routine?
In general, I’m quite a morning person and I don’t like to stress, which usually means that I get up by 6 or 6.30 am, and depending on the season I prefer to go for a bike ride. After all I live in Sweden and each season really has its own energy – which will affect you.
I keep it quite simple, after I’ve had my bike ride, I gather my thoughts and handwritten to-does for the day. I always have my notebook to help me through the day.
A while back I’ve started intermittent fasting, which has really cleared up my mind and boosted energy – I used to get quite tired in the mornings after breakfast. This also frees up valuable time which means I usually start working by 8 or 8.30 am.
How do you organise your day?
Each week I start off with some general housekeeping and planning. I try to dedicate certain types of work to specific times during the day, e.g., what time is the best for reaching out to journalists or different prospects. Afternoons tend to be dedicated to tasks that are more internally oriented, and I try to be as effective as possible.
In contrast to many, I tend to leave space in my calendar for ad hoc opportunities. To me personal conversations between me and my coworkers, journalists or prospects are very important.
When are you the most productive?
From previous answers I think it’s a given that I’m a morning person and really feel the most clear and productive in the morning. However, I tend to get a spike of energy and creativity around 7 to 9 PM. Usually it’s dedicated to cooking or exercise, but every now and then I just feel inspired to get some work done as well.
What is your favourite workplace?
I don’t have any place in particular that I prefer, however I really like a closed off space where I’m isolated from impressions and surrounded by a lot of vegetation. At my last co-working hub, I had a special corner that I really enjoyed – until they rearranged the floorplan…
What’s your favourite thing about working remotely?
The flexibility and the possibility of planning your day. Previously, when I worked at an office and had a dedicated desk. I could feel quite trapped and in need of a change of scenery, which wasn’t possible. Working remotely suits me much better since I can take short breaks and find different spots that suit my current mood.
What do you miss about working in an office?
The daily chatting, spontaneous after work or just getting to know your colleagues better. However, I believe it’s a lot what you make of it, and I’ve managed to find a lot of great people to chat with or get to know closer, while working remotely as well.
Which in my case is very beneficial since it presents great networking opportunities.
What’s your secret weapon?
Maybe not earthshattering, but I really had to get to know myself and my energy rhythm. So, in other words, self-management. I need to take frequent smaller breaks, keep an eye on my blood sugar level and get some fresh air every now and then during the day.
What is the culture like at Tyto?
During my time at Tyto I’ve noticed that the internal culture is very supportive and positive – everyone is aware of the need to connect with co-workers, especially when you’re working remotely. I’d also say that there’s a lot of curiosity and understanding for people culture and the unique ways we practice our profession in different countries.
What do you like most about working at Tyto?
What really attracted me is the borderless approach, to feel like one team across an entire continent, but still working as a close knitted team. I’ve always sought out an international career and I believe that this is an amazing opportunity.