One Word That Describes Me: “Resilient”

What is one word that describes you?

If I had to pick just one word to describe myself, it would be resilient.

I’ve been through multiple career shifts—from academia to government, then corporate, and finally, the startup world. Each transition felt like stepping into an entirely different universe, each with its own set of rules, challenges, and expectations. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that resilience is the key to survival and success.

But what does resilience mean to me? It’s not just about bouncing back from failure. It’s about adapting, learning, and continuously pushing forward, even when the odds seem stacked against me.

From Academia to the Corporate World: A Shock to the System

I began my career in academia, a structured environment where research and knowledge-sharing were the primary goals. Then, I moved to a government agency, where things operated at a much slower pace—decisions took time, approvals required layers of bureaucracy, and innovation was often stifled by rigid processes.

When I transitioned into the corporate world, the change was drastic. Suddenly, everything was about speed, competition, and bottom-line results. There was no time for lengthy deliberations or endless research; decisions had to be made fast, and results were expected yesterday.

I remember my first high-stakes meeting at a telecom company. The senior executives bombarded me with questions I hadn’t even anticipated. My carefully prepared slides suddenly seemed irrelevant. I walked out of that room feeling like I had just survived a storm.

But I didn’t let that moment define me. I went back, studied the corporate culture, understood their expectations, and became stronger. The next time I was in that boardroom, I wasn’t just prepared—I was leading the conversation.

Venturing into the Startup World: The Ultimate Test of Resilience

After years in corporate leadership roles, I did something many thought was crazy—I started Favoriot.

Starting a company from scratch is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Unlike in corporate life, where resources are abundant and structures are in place, a startup means wearing multiple hats, making difficult decisions with limited data, and facing constant rejection.

There were days when I questioned myself.

“Did I make a mistake? Should I have stayed in my comfortable corporate job?”

When I first pitched Favoriot’s IoT platform, many people didn’t get it.

“Why would anyone need an IoT middleware platform?”

Investors were hesitant. Clients weren’t convinced. But I believed in the vision. I knew IoT was going to be a game-changer, and I refused to let early setbacks define our success.

Slowly, things started to change. More companies saw the value of IoT. Universities began adopting Favoriot for research. Government agencies started paying attention. We expanded beyond Malaysia and secured partnerships in multiple countries.

But that growth only came because of resilience—the ability to push forward when others would have given up.

Facing Criticism and Doubt: Another Form of Resilience

The more you put yourself out there, the more criticism you face.

I’ve shared my thoughts on IoT, smart cities, and entrepreneurship at conferences, in articles, and across social media. Not everyone agrees with my views. Some think IoT is overhyped. Others believe smart cities will never succeed. I’ve had my fair share of skeptics.

Early in my career, criticism used to affect me deeply. I’d replay negative comments in my head and wonder if I was on the wrong path.

But over time, I realized something: criticism is proof that you’re doing something that matters. If no one is questioning your ideas, it means you’re not pushing boundaries.

Instead of fearing criticism, I started embracing it. I use it as fuel to refine my ideas, strengthen my arguments, and prove doubters wrong—not through words, but through action.

Balancing Passion and Patience: The Silent Strength of Resilience

One of the hardest lessons in resilience is understanding that success doesn’t happen overnight.

When I first started blogging about IoT, I had almost no readers. My Blog articles barely got any traction. I could have given up.

“Maybe people just aren’t interested in what I have to say?”

But I kept writing. I kept sharing insights. Slowly, my audience grew. Today, I have thousands of followers who engage with my content, and my articles have reached people across the world.

Resilience isn’t just about pushing forward when things get tough—it’s about staying patient and consistent even when results aren’t immediate.

Why Resilience Defines Me

If I had chosen words like “intelligent,” “visionary,” or “driven,” they wouldn’t have captured the essence of my journey.

Intelligence helps, but it’s not enough. Vision is crucial, but without resilience, it remains just a dream. Drive is important, but if you can’t handle setbacks, you’ll burn out quickly.

Resilience, on the other hand, is what has kept me going through every challenge, every failure, and every moment of doubt.

So if you were to ask me again, “What’s the one word that describes you?”

I’d say, without hesitation: Resilient.