About Me (Part-11) — Mazlan Abbas

ABOUT ME SERIES

What You Think You Become, What You Feel You Attract, What You Imagine You Create

I remember vividly a quote that has shaped my journey: What you think you become, what you feel you attract, what you imagine you create. It’s a mantra that resonates deeply with me, not just in theory but in practice. Looking back on my life and the creation of Favoriot, this quote feels like a summary of how everything unfolded.

When I first embarked on this entrepreneurial journey, Favoriot was just an idea — a seed planted in my mind. At the time, I had already spent decades in the tech industry, working in various roles from academia to government agencies and corporate giants. Each of these experiences brought its own lessons, but they all felt disconnected somehow.

It was as though I had learned the language of innovation and technology, but I had yet to write my own story with it.

I didn’t always see myself as an entrepreneur. If you had asked me years ago, I might have told you I was content being part of large organizations where decisions were slow, processes were rigid, and innovation often took a backseat. But something within me started to shift. I began to realize that the bureaucracy of larger institutions wasn’t just stifling me — it was stifling the potential of the technology I was so passionate about.

I began to think about how things could be different, how technology like the Internet of Things (IoT) could be more accessible and transformative if it were in the hands of more people and businesses.

And that’s where the first part of the quote comes in: What you think, you become. I started to think of myself not just as an employee but as someone who could build something. I imagined myself as the founder of a company that would make IoT accessible, help smart cities flourish, and empower businesses with the right tools. It was just a thought, but thoughts are powerful.

The more I thought about it, the more it felt real.

Something is interesting that happens when you start thinking differently. Your emotions follow. What you feel, you attract. I began to feel a strong pull towards entrepreneurship. The fear of leaving the comfort of a steady paycheck was there, but it was overshadowed by an excitement I hadn’t felt in years. It was the excitement of possibility, of creation.

I began to attract opportunities, people, and ideas that aligned with this new vision I had for myself. Conversations I had never imagined started happening. People began approaching me with ideas, potential collaborations, and support offers. It was as though the universe had been waiting for me to make this mental and emotional shift.

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I faced setbacks — plenty of them. From funding issues to technical challenges, there were days when the dream of Favoriot felt far-fetched. But I held on to that quote. What you imagine, you create. I had imagined Favoriot as a platform that would simplify IoT implementation for businesses of all sizes. I had imagined it as a critical player in the future of smart cities in Malaysia and beyond. And every time I faced a challenge, I reminded myself that creation is never easy.

It requires patience, resilience, and, most importantly, belief.

One of the pivotal moments for Favoriot was when we started collaborating with universities and local councils. Initially, it was challenging to convince people of the importance of IoT, primarily when many had never even heard of it. But I had imagined a world where IoT was commonplace, where cities used it to manage traffic, utilities, and public safety more efficiently. I knew that the demand would follow once people could see the value of what we were offering.

Slowly but surely, that vision started to take shape.

We developed a platform that could be integrated into various industries — healthcare, agriculture, and smart cities. We attracted clients from different sectors, each looking to improve their operations through IoT. During this time, I truly began to understand the power of imagination. When you imagine something enough, it’s as though you can see the path forward even when others can’t. And as long as you keep moving forward, step by step, the creation process unfolds.

Sometimes, I doubted myself when the road ahead seemed impossible to navigate, but I always returned to that quote. It was like an anchor that kept me grounded.

I started to understand that thoughts, feelings, and imagination aren’t just abstract concepts — they are the building blocks of everything we do. They shape our reality in ways we don’t always see immediately.

In the years since Favoriot’s inception, we’ve seen significant growth. We’ve been able to help businesses and governments alike implement IoT solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and contribute to sustainability. But perhaps the most fulfilling part of this journey has been watching something I once only imagined become a reality. The idea that started as a mere thought has now impacted many lives. And that’s the beauty of creation — it doesn’t just stop with you.

What you create has a ripple effect, reaching people and places you may never have imagined.

Today, as I reflect on how far we’ve come, I’m reminded of the importance of staying true to your vision, even when the odds seem stacked against you. I’ve learned that what you think, feel, and imagine are not just passive states of being but active forces in shaping your reality. Every challenge I faced along the way only strengthened my resolve, making the eventual successes that much sweeter.

As we move forward with Favoriot, my imagination continues to expand. I see new possibilities for how IoT can transform industries and contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges, like climate change and urbanization.

I believe that as long as I continue to think positively, feel deeply, and imagine boldly, those possibilities will become realities.

For anyone reading this who might be standing at the crossroads of a big decision — whether it’s starting a business, pursuing a new career path, or embarking on a personal project — I encourage you to remember that quote: What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create. It’s a simple truth, but it can change your life if you let it.

In the end, Favoriot wasn’t just about building a company; it was about building a mindset—a mindset that believes in the power of thoughts, feelings, and imagination, a mindset that understands that creation is an ongoing process, one that requires persistence, passion, and purpose.

As I continue on this journey, I carry that mindset with me, knowing there is always more to create, imagine, and become.