Six years at Zapier! ⚡

Today marks my 6th work anniversary at Zapier, and I couldn't be more grateful for the experience and the people who have made it possible. As I reflect on the past six years, I'm reminded of some valuable lessons that have helped me grow both personally and professionally. Here are six lessons I've learned through the years:

1. 📚 The importance of learning: At Zapier, there's always something new to learn, whether it's a new tool, a new process, or a new skill. Embracing a growth mindset and continuously seeking out opportunities to learn have been key to my career progression. Be endlessly curious.

2. 🤝🏼 The importance of relationships: No one achieves success alone, and the relationships I've built with teammates, customers, peers, and direct reports have been invaluable. Investing time and energy into building strong relationships can pay off in countless ways, from new opportunities to new friendships to personal growth.

3. 🕥 The importance of rituals: Whether it's a daily shutdown routine or a monthly team hangout, rituals help create a sense of structure and routine that can be grounding and motivating. Finding rituals that work for you and your team can help you stay on track and maintain a positive team culture. My favourite ritual is an end-of-day walk around the neighbourhood. As a fully remote employee, this gives me reset time between work and home modes.

4. 💬 The importance of asking for feedback: Feedback is a gift, and seeking it out can help you grow and improve faster than you would on your own. I've learned to actively seek out feedback from my managers, peers and direct reports. It's helped me become a better collaborator, communicator, and problem-solver. At the same time, I also learned how important it is to set expectations and give feedback often to direct reports. No one wants to feel clueless about how they're doing in their role.

5. 🎧 The importance of focus: With so many demands on our time and attention, it's easy to get distracted and lose sight of our priorities. I've learned to be intentional about where I focus my energy and time, and to use tools like time-blocking and prioritization to stay on track. One of the best books I read last year was Deep Focus by Cal Newport, and I highly recommend it.

6. 🌏 The importance of inclusion: At Zapier, we strive to create an environment where people of diverse backgrounds and stories feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. When folks feel like they belong, and that their voice matters, magic happens. I'm grateful to work for a company where my teammates and I are encouraged to be our authentic selves.

I'm excited to see what the next years at Zapier hold. Onward! 🎉