Tag: Books

When Writing Free eBooks Still Feels Like Shouting Into the Void

I did not expect this feeling to arrive so quietly.

No dramatic moment.
No emotional breakdown.
Just a soft question that kept returning while I stared at my screen.

Should I stop writing eBooks about IoT, startups, and entrepreneurship?

I have written several eBooks over the years. Some came from years of experience building platforms. Some from scars earned while running a startup. Some from observing founders struggle with the same blind spots again and again.

I made them free.
No paywall.
No upsell tricks.
Just knowledge, stories, and lessons shared openly.

Yet after my last three books (Hello IoT, The Favoriot Way: A Life Built on Curiosity and Courage, Favoriot : The Journey of an IoT Startup), something felt off.

Downloads slowed.
Shares dropped.
The quiet became louder.

At first, I blamed myself.

Maybe the topics are stale.
Maybe I am repeating myself.
Maybe people are tired of hearing from me.

Then another thought crept in.

Or maybe the world has changed.

The Moment I Could No Longer Ignore

I noticed something about my own habits before blaming anyone else.

I no longer Google as much.
I open ChatGPT.
I type a question.
I get an answer.

Direct.
Fast.
Clean.

And here is the uncomfortable truth.

I am guilty too.

I ask AI to summarise books.
I ask for key takeaways.
I skim instead of sitting with pages.

Who am I to complain when I do the same thing?

That realisation stung.

Because I used to love reading slowly. Highlighting sentences. Rereading paragraphs. Letting ideas sit for days.

Now, time feels compressed. Attention feels borrowed. Everything competes for mental space.

The Silent Shift No One Talks About

This is not about AI replacing writers.

It is about AI changing readers.

People no longer want to search.
They want answers.

They no longer want ten blog posts.
They want one response.

They no longer want to explore.
They want to arrive.

Why buy a book when a prompt gives you a clean summary?

Why spend hours reading when minutes feel enough?

That question hurts writers, but it is not wrong.

Books were once a journey.
Now they are treated like databases.

Tell me what matters. Skip the rest.

Short Attention Is Not a Moral Failure

I hear people complain about attention spans all the time.

But I do not think it is laziness.
I think it is survival.

We are flooded with inputs. Messages. Alerts. Updates. Noise.

Reading a 150-page eBook feels heavy when your mind is already full.

The new generation did not lose patience.
They adapted to overload.

They want clarity, not volume.
Direction, not depth.

At least not by default.

When Free Still Feels Expensive

Making my eBooks free was supposed to remove friction.

Yet free does not mean easy.

Reading still costs time.
Thinking still costs energy.

AI removed that cost.

One prompt feels cheaper than one chapter.

So why am I surprised?

The Hard Question I Keep Avoiding

I keep asking myself something uncomfortable.

Am I writing for impact, or am I writing out of habit?

In the past, writing eBooks felt like leaving a trail behind. Something lasting. Something searchable. Something meaningful.

Now it feels like throwing paper planes into a sky full of drones.

They fly faster.
They reach further.
They respond instantly.

Paper planes still matter.
But fewer people look up.

Books Versus Conversations

AI feels like a conversation.

Books feel like a lecture.

That difference matters.

People want interaction. They want follow-up questions. They want context tailored to their situation.

A book cannot ask back.

AI can.

And that changes expectations.

What Writing Used to Give Me

I did not write eBooks just for readers.

I wrote to think.

Writing forced clarity.
It slowed my thoughts.
It made experiences visible.

If I stop writing books, what replaces that?

Blogs?
Short posts?
Conversations?
Voice notes?

I do not know yet.

That uncertainty is unsettling.

Maybe Books Are No Longer the First Door

Here is a thought I am still wrestling with.

Books may no longer be entry points.
They may become reference points.

Not where people start, but where they return when they want depth.

AI gives direction.
Books give texture.

AI answers questions.
Books explain why the questions matter.

But fewer people reach that stage.

The Ego Check I Needed

Another truth I had to face.

I assumed free meant valuable.
I assumed experience meant relevance.

Neither guarantees attention.

The world does not owe writers readers.

Attention is earned every day.

Even by those who have written before.

Am I Really Stopping?

When I say I feel like stopping, I am not quitting writing.

I am questioning the format.

Maybe eBooks are not where my thoughts want to live anymore.

Maybe ideas want to breathe in smaller spaces.
Or in stories.
Or in conversations.

Or maybe fewer books, written slower, with deeper intent.

I am not sure yet.

What I Do Know

AI has changed how we read.
AI has changed why we read.
AI has changed when we read.

That shift is real. It is not a phase.

Fighting it feels pointless.

Understanding it feels necessary.

The Choice In Front of Me

I can keep writing eBooks and accept fewer readers.

I can stop writing books and find new ways to share ideas.

Or I can redefine what a book means in a world that no longer reads the same way.

Right now, I am sitting with the discomfort.

No dramatic announcement.
No final decision.

Just honesty.

A Quiet Ending With an Open Question

I still believe ideas matter.
I still believe stories shape thinking.
I still believe writing is worth doing.

But I no longer believe format guarantees relevance.

Maybe the real question is not whether I stop writing eBooks.

Maybe it is whether I am brave enough to write differently.

If you are a writer, a reader, or someone who quietly stopped reading books, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Have you felt this shift too?

Book Review by a Young Founder: How The Favoriot Way Sparked New Fire in Me

I picked up The Favoriot Way: A Life Built on Curiosity and Courage by Mazlan Abbas at a time when I felt stuck between ambition and uncertainty. The title alone sounded like something a seasoned founder might write after years of success. What I didn’t expect was how personal, honest, and relatable this book would feel from the very first page.

Right away, I could sense this wasn’t a typical business book full of polished charts and bright promises about overnight success. It felt like sitting down with someone a few steps ahead of me on a road I’m still trying to map out. I could almost hear his voice explaining how curiosity pushed him forward in ways no strategy ever could.

Curiosity as a Compass

What hit me first was how Mazlan traced his journey back to childhood curiosity, fiddling with broken radios, wanting to know how things worked. It made me reflect on my own early curiosities. For me, it was taking apart gadgets as a kid, even though I rarely put them back together. Reading that made me laugh and nod at the same time.

As a young entrepreneur, it’s easy to look at seasoned founders and assume they had some secret formula from the start. This book reminded me that the real engine behind growth is simple curiosity showing up with questions and staying with them even when answers aren’t obvious.

Real Talk About Real Challenges

The book moves through Mazlan’s life from student days to corporate leadership and into entrepreneurship with Favoriot. But it doesn’t boast or brag. What stood out most were the honest moments where he wasn’t sure what came next. That was refreshing. I often worry that not knowing the next step means I’m failing. Reading about someone I respect being uncertain and still moving forward felt like a permission slip.

There was one part where he talked about choosing entrepreneurship at an age when many people are thinking about stability. That hit me hard. I’ve always wondered if my dreams make sense in the real world. His reflections made me rethink that fear and see it as part of the journey, not a detour.

Lessons That Feel Personal

What I appreciated most about this book is that it doesn’t give you a checklist of things to do. There are no fluff headlines about “10 steps to success.” Instead, Mazlan shares what he learned about being patient, thinking clearly, and trusting that consistent effort compounds over time. As someone building something from scratch, that perspective felt grounding.

I highlighted lines about:

  • Taking time to think clearly
  • Putting curiosity ahead of shortcuts
  • Treating failure not as a dead end but as data

Every time I paused on a passage, I found myself thinking “Yes, that’s exactly how it feels.” It was like someone had put into words things I’d been feeling but couldn’t articulate.

Accessible and Encouraging

The writing style is simple but powerful. Some moments felt like candid conversations instead of formal text. If you’re like me, juggling ideas and doubts, this tone makes the content feel accessible and encouraging rather than intimidating.

I’ve read business books that left me motivated for a day, only to be forgotten. This one stayed with me at the end of each chapter. It made me reflect on why I’m building what I’m building and how I want to show up for it.

Why This Book Matters for Young Founders

As someone forging my own path, I didn’t need another blueprint. What I needed was perspective. Someone to remind me that uncertainty isn’t a flaw, but part of the startup journey. Someone to say that curiosity will keep me going long after hype fades.

The Favoriot Way gave me that.

It’s short, easy to read, and packed with real insights that feel like they came from lived experience. Whether you are just starting a venture or trying to find clarity in your direction, this book gives you something many other business books don’t: emotional resonance with your struggles.

Final Thoughts

Reading this book felt like a conversation with a mentor who doesn’t sugarcoat but still believes in your potential. For young entrepreneurs like me who sometimes doubt whether we’re on the right track, this was precisely the kind of perspective we need.

It doesn’t tell you what your next move should be. It gives you the confidence to make that move yourself.

If you’re chasing ideas, navigating doubt, or building something that matters to you, The Favoriot Way deserves a spot in your reading list.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

And if you’ve read it too, I’d love to hear which part spoke to you most. Drop a comment and let’s talk about it.

[Book review: A Young Entrepreneur in the Making]

Download eBooks from Mazlan Abbas

  1. Favoriot – The Journey of an IoT Startup
  2. The Favoriot Way – Life of Curiosity and Courage
  3. Hello IoT
  4. Mastering IoT with Favoriot: A Comprehensive Guide for Business and Educational Institutions
  5. Internet of Things (IoT): A Beginner’s Guide
  6. Startup Survival: The Journey of a Tech Entrepreneur
  7. Your IoT Journey
  8. IoT Notes

Favoriot’s Journey: Lessons from Lord of the Rings

The journey of Favoriot, from its earliest days to where it stands today, mirrors The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in a way that feels less like fantasy and more like lived experience.

Not because of epic battles or dramatic villains, but because both stories are really about endurance, pivots, and choosing to continue when the original plan no longer fits the road ahead.

A Journey That Did Not Start With a Grand Map

When Frodo left the Shire, there was no detailed map to Mount Doom. Gandalf did not hand him a ten-year plan. The mission evolved as dangers revealed themselves.

Favoriot began the same way.

The early vision was simple. Build an IoT platform that works. One that local engineers, researchers, and institutions could rely on. What came next was not a straight line. The platform did not arrive fully formed. It grew through experiments, false starts, and product decisions that looked right at the time but later needed rethinking.

Like Middle-earth, the terrain kept changing.

Products as Paths, Not Destinations

In The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship does not walk a single road. They split. They detour. Some paths fail. Others reveal their purpose much later.

Favoriot’s products followed the same rhythm.

Early versions focused heavily on basic device connectivity and dashboards. That was the Shire phase. Simple. Familiar. Necessary.

As real customers arrived, the needs shifted. Monitoring alone was not enough. Scale introduced complexity. Rules became more complicated to manage. Alerts became noisy. What worked for a pilot did not hold up in production.

That forced pivots.

  • From simple dashboards to structured data models
  • From manual rules to more intelligent behaviour detection
  • From pure IoT to AI-assisted decision support
  • From cloud-only thinking to edge-aware architectures

Each pivot felt like leaving a known path and stepping into uncertainty. Some features were retired quietly. Others were reshaped instead of discarded. Just as characters outgrow their early roles, products evolve because the journey demands it.

The Cost of Carrying Too Much

Frodo’s burden was not the distance. It was the Ring.

For Favoriot, the “Ring” often took the form of technical debt, early assumptions, and customer expectations set too soon. Decisions made for speed later demanded patience to untangle. Features built for one market created friction in another. Supporting early users while reworking the core tested both systems and people.

Letting go was hard.

Just as Frodo struggled to release the Ring, teams struggle to let go of products they worked hard to build. Yet progress required accepting that not everything belongs in the final version.

Splitting the Fellowship to Survive

The Fellowship did not stay together because it looked nice. It split because survival required it.

Favoriot’s journey did the same. Engineering focused on stability, while product teams listened closely to users. Business teams dealt with timing, cash flow, and long sales cycles. Partnerships opened doors while internal teams strengthened the foundation.

At times, it felt fragmented. In reality, it was a focus.

Each group carried a different part of the burden. No single team saw the whole picture at all times. Trust became the glue.

Long Stretches Without Applause

Middle-earth did not pause to celebrate milestones. Neither did the market.

There were long periods where progress was invisible from the outside. No launches. No announcements. Just refactoring, rewriting, rebuilding. Customers rarely see this phase, yet it defines whether a platform survives.

Favoriot lived in this space for years.

Quiet work. Fewer shortcuts. Many trade-offs. The kind of progress that feels slow until one day it becomes evident that the platform is stronger, calmer, and more reliable than before.

When the Mission Changes the People

By the end of the trilogy, Frodo was not chasing adventure. He was carrying wisdom earned through pain and persistence.

Favoriot’s journey shaped its people the same way.

Engineers learned restraint, not just speed. Product teams learned when to say no. Leaders learned that timing matters as much as vision. The company knew that building trust outlasts chasing trends.

The platform today is not just more capable; it is also more capable. It is more deliberate.

Not Glory, But Completion

Destroying the Ring was not a victory parade. It was relief. Completion.

Favoriot’s goal has never been to build everything or to shout the loudest. It has been to finish what was started. A platform that can grow with its users. A system that learns instead of overwhelming. A foundation that can support the next chapter without collapsing under its own weight.

That goal shaped every pivot.

The Quiet Parallel

Frodo was not the strongest.
Favoriot did not have the most significant budget.
Neither took the shortest route.

Yet both stories prove the same point.

Lasting impact rarely comes from perfect plans. It comes from adjusting without losing purpose, letting go without giving up, and continuing to walk when turning back feels easier.

That is the shared truth between Middle-earth and Favoriot’s journey.
A long road.
Many pivots.
One mission that refused to be abandoned.

New Book Release – The Favoriot Way: A Life Built on Curiosity and Courage

I never intended to write a book about my life. For the longest time, I believed my story was ordinary. A boy who loved robots. A student who worked hard. A man who moved from academia to corporate, from research labs to startup chaos. Nothing spectacular. Nothing worth documenting.

But as the years passed, people began asking me the same question.
“How did you do it?”

Not in a way that demanded formulas or secret tricks, but in a way that revealed genuine curiosity.

“How did you keep going?”
“How did you reinvent yourself so many times?”
“What kept you believing when others doubted you?”
“What pushed you to start Favoriot so late in life?”

I realised then that this story was not really about me. It was about the lessons hidden between the chapters. Lessons about resilience, curiosity, courage and purpose. Lessons shaped by struggles most people never saw. Lessons carved not by success, but by the quiet decisions to keep moving forward.

This book is not a list of achievements. It is not a formula for success. It is not a polished story told from a pedestal. It is a reflection of a life shaped by small sparks, broken radios, unexpected losses, second chances, relentless learning, surprising turns and a belief that Malaysia can build technology that matters.

I wrote this for the young engineer who doubts his potential.

For the student who feels invisible in a big system.
For the entrepreneur who fears starting too late.
For the dreamer who keeps ideas hidden because of what others might say.
For the person standing at the edge of a decision, whispering, Can I really do this?

If my journey teaches anything, let it be this:

You do not need the perfect moment to begin.
You do not need the loudest voice to make an impact.
You do not need to be young to chase a dream.
You just need the courage to take the first step and the purpose to keep going.

The chapters ahead are pieces of my life told honestly, sometimes painfully, sometimes joyfully, but always with the hope that they help someone see their own path more clearly.

Thank you for reading this.

Thank you for letting me share my story.

And thank you for believing, even in small ways, that our country can build a future filled with possibilities.

The journey continues.

I am grateful to walk part of it with you.

[Download the eBook for FREE – The Favoriot Way: A Life Built on Curiosity and Courage]

Why Writing in a Storytelling Manner Resonates with Most People: A Personal Reflection

Have you ever noticed how your eyes light up and your ears perk when someone begins a sentence with, “Let me tell you a story…”? I’ve seen this countless times — in conferences, casual chats over coffee, and even in my blog’s comment section. There’s something magical about stories. And over the years, I’ve discovered that writing in a storytelling manner doesn’t just make my articles more enjoyable to write — it makes them more impactful, relatable, and memorable to readers.

But why? I asked myself this question many times, especially when I first started blogging. I thought, Isn’t it enough to just present the facts? Why bother weaving them into stories? What I’ve learned might surprise you — and it might just change the way you approach your own writing.

Let me share my journey with you.

The Human Brain is Wired for Stories

I remember reading somewhere that long before we had books, slides, or YouTube videos, we had storytellers sitting around fires. Storytelling wasn’t a hobby; it was a way to pass down knowledge, warn about dangers, and preserve culture. It’s deeply embedded in us.

When I began writing technical articles — especially about IoT, smart cities, or AI — I noticed that readers often skimmed through data-heavy sections. But when I shared a personal anecdote, like the time our prototype failed during a big demo, and how we scrambled to fix it before the client noticed, people paid attention. They messaged me. They shared the post.

Ah, I thought, it’s not the technology that draws them in. It’s the people behind the technology. It’s the struggle, the triumph, the humor, the heart.

Stories give context. Facts tell you what’s happening, but stories help you feel why it matters.

People Remember Feelings, Not Just Facts

I can’t count how many times I’ve given talks where I presented both data and a simple story. Months later, people would come up to me and say, “I still remember that story you told about building Favoriot in your small apartment!” But they rarely remembered the numbers or charts.

Why? Because stories tap into emotion. And emotion is the glue that helps information stick in our minds.

When you tell a story about a challenge you overcame, or a moment that changed your perspective, people see themselves in it. They feel the fear, the hope, the relief. And when they feel, they remember.

I often picture writing like planting seeds. If you scatter plain facts, they might sprout here and there. But if you wrap those facts in a story, it’s like planting seeds in rich, fertile soil — they’re far more likely to grow in the reader’s mind.

Storytelling Builds Trust and Connection

Okay Mazlan, I asked myself one day, why do I enjoy reading certain writers more than others? The answer came quickly: I feel like I know them.

When we write in a storytelling manner, we let readers into our world. We share a piece of ourselves — our doubts, our failures, our little victories. It humanizes us. And in this noisy digital world, where everyone is trying to shout louder, what people crave most is authenticity.

I’ve noticed that when I tell stories — whether about my early days juggling work and family, or about navigating the uncertain waters of startup life — readers open up too. They share their own stories in return. Suddenly, it’s not just a one-way broadcast. It’s a conversation.

Isn’t that what we really want? To connect, to feel heard, to know we’re not alone?

Stories Make Complex Ideas Simple

One of the biggest challenges I face in writing about IoT or AI is explaining complex ideas in ways that people can understand. I could talk about protocols, sensors, cloud architecture… or I could say:

“Imagine you’re a farmer with a chili plantation. You wake up, check your phone, and see that your soil sensors say the land’s too dry. Before the sun’s up, you’ve turned on the irrigation — no guesswork, no wasted water.”

Which one would you rather read?

Stories create mental pictures. And mental pictures help us grasp ideas faster and deeper. Whenever I see a puzzled face in the audience during a talk, I know it’s time to switch from facts to story mode. And almost always, I see that Aha! moment light up their eyes.

Storytelling Gives Your Writing Rhythm

I’ve read many articles that feel like chewing on dry crackers — all facts, no flavor. But storytelling adds rhythm. You can slow down at the emotional parts, speed up during the action, pause for effect, or even surprise your reader with an unexpected twist.

When I write, I sometimes imagine I’m telling the story aloud — like I’m sitting with a friend at a kopitiam, sipping teh tarik. Would I really say it like this? Or would I add a little humor, a dramatic pause, a knowing smile?

This rhythm keeps readers hooked. They want to know what happens next.

But What If I’m Not a “Natural” Storyteller?

I used to think that too. Mazlan, you’re an engineer, not a novelist! I’d tell myself. But storytelling isn’t about fancy language or perfect plots. It’s about honesty. It’s about sharing what you saw, what you felt, what you learned.

Start small. Instead of just stating, “Our project was delayed by two weeks,” tell what happened: “We thought we had it all figured out, until the sensor shipments got stuck at the port. I remember standing in the warehouse, staring at the empty shelves, wondering how I’d explain this to the client.”

See? Same fact — but now it’s alive.

My Final Reflection: Stories Are What Make Us Human

In my journey as a writer, technologist, and entrepreneur, I’ve come to see storytelling as not just a tool, but a responsibility. If I can make my readers feel, imagine, and connect — even for a few minutes — then I’ve done more than just write. I’ve reached across the digital void and touched a fellow human.

So, the next time you write — whether it’s a blog, an email, or even a product description — pause and ask yourself: What’s the story here?

Because in the end, we don’t just read to gather facts. We read to find ourselves in someone else’s tale. And that, my friend, is the power of writing in a storytelling manner.

I thought to myself as I finished this piece, “If even one reader smiles, nods, or feels inspired to tell their own story, then this was worth writing.”

Let’s keep telling stories — the world needs them more than ever.

If I Could Be a Character from a Book or Film, I Would Be Professor Charles Xavier — Here’s Why

“Mazlan, of all the characters in the literary and cinematic universe, why would you choose someone in a wheelchair?”

That’s the first question that popped into my head. And honestly, it’s the kind of self-interrogation I often indulge in when I stumble upon a simple question with unexpectedly deep layers.

Yes. If I could be a character from a book or film, I would be Professor Charles Xavier — the founder of the X-Men, the brilliant mind behind the Cerebro machine, and the one who saw potential in those whom the world feared. Not Iron Man with his billions. Not Batman with his vengeance. Not even the charming Sherlock Holmes. But Charles Xavier, the bald telepath who sat in a wheelchair and built a school that became a sanctuary.

Let me tell you why.

The Power to Influence Minds — Not Control, But Guide

Professor X didn’t just read minds. He empathized. He understood. And he used his powers not to dominate but to educate and elevate others.

Isn’t that what I’ve been doing all my life?

When I was lecturing in universities, building IoT platforms, or even writing these articles, I was not here to force ideas. I’m here to plant seeds. Maybe even open doors that others didn’t realize existed. Much like Charles Xavier did for hiding, scared, or rejected mutants.

He never wanted them to suppress their uniqueness — he wanted them to harness it.

I thought this sounded a bit like how I feel when someone discovers the magic of IoT for the first time.

The Leader Who Built Others to Lead

Something about Charles Xavier’s leadership style has always resonated with me. He wasn’t the one on the front lines throwing punches. He was the strategist, the mentor, and the visionary who built an environment where others could thrive.

When I started FAVORIOT, I didn’t want to build a business myself. I wanted to build a platform—literally and metaphorically—a place where startups, students, and developers could create, innovate, and solve real-world problems using IoT.

That dream wasn’t just about tech. It was about empowerment.

Like the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, FAVORIOT became a space for hidden talents to shine. Not everyone sees themselves as a hero, but with the proper guidance, they could become one.

Yes, Xavier didn’t fight every battle but enabled others to win wars.

Living with Limitations, Thriving Despite Them

Let’s talk about the wheelchair. It’s not a weakness. It’s a symbol. Of resilience. Of a man who, despite his physical limitations, carried the weight of the world’s rejected children on his shoulders.

“Would you really choose a character who’s paralyzed?”

Yes. Because strength isn’t in the limbs — it’s in the will.

I’ve also faced moments where I felt limited. Whether by corporate bureaucracy, academic red tape, or just plain disbelief from others who didn’t see the future I saw, there were many days when it felt like I was rolling uphill. But I kept moving forward.

I learned to surround myself with others who believed in the mission — just like Xavier did.

The Struggle Between Hope and Realism

What makes Xavier compelling is his constant moral dilemma. He believes in peaceful coexistence between mutants and humans. But he also knows that the world isn’t always ready to change. His long-time friend-turned-nemesis, Magneto, is a living reminder of what happens when hope turns into cynicism.

Have I ever been Magneto? I ask myself.

Maybe. In the moments when I felt the system failed us—when smart city projects were abandoned halfway or when innovation was stifled by bureaucracy—I felt rage, but I always pulled myself back.

Because I still believe in dialogue over domination and in partnerships over power plays.

Xavier always believed people could change. And so do I.

The Legacy of a Teacher

If there’s one thing that makes Xavier immortal, it’s not his telepathy. It’s his students. Cyclops. Jean Grey. Storm. Wolverine. Nightcrawler. Every one of them carried a piece of him, not just in their tactics, but in their principles.

I remember my students, too—the ones who now work in top tech firms, the ones who built startups, and the ones who still message me to say, “Dr. Mazlan, your IoT class changed my life.”

Isn’t that what every teacher lives for?

A legacy not built with bricks or code but with minds inspired and hearts ignited.

Why Not Someone Else?

I could’ve picked Tony Stark — he’s got the gadgets and flair. Or maybe Bruce Wayne — the detective with a moral code. Or even Gandalf, with his wisdom and beard.

But they didn’t build people. They didn’t create platforms that empowered others to grow beyond their shadows.

Charles Xavier did.

And that’s what I want to be remembered for.

A Fictional Character with a Real-World Impact

Do you know what’s funny? Charles Xavier might be fictional, but his spirit lives in every mentor, every teacher, every visionary who sees beyond the surface.

He lives in school principals who believe in troubled students, leaders who nurture instead of command, engineers who share knowledge freely, and writers who plant thoughts like time bombs in the reader’s mind.

Maybe even in me.

Final Thoughts from the Cerebro Room

If I had Cerebro, I wouldn’t use it to invade minds. I’d use it to listen.

I want to find the girl in Penang who wants to solve traffic with smart sensors but doesn’t know where to start.

I want to find the boy in Johor who thinks coding is challenging but could build the next big IoT solution with a little nudge.

To amplify the unheard and guide the uncertain.

That’s the Professor X I admire.

That’s the character I’d choose to be.

Not because he’s the most powerful.

But because he made others powerful.

How “The Jetsons” Sparked My Lifelong Passion for Technology

“Can you imagine living in a world where cars fly, robots prepare your breakfast, and your boss talks to you through a giant video screen? Wait a minute…that sounds oddly familiar!”

As a young boy in the 1960s, glued to our old family television, watching The Jetsons was more than entertainment—it was my window into the future. Back then, it was nothing short of magical. A futuristic family living in Orbit City, navigating daily life with technologies that, to me, seemed pure fantasy. Fast-forward to today, and I realize how incredibly prophetic this cartoon actually was.

My First Encounter with the Future

“Eh, takkan lah manusia boleh cipta robot yang pandai masak sarapan?” I often asked myself skeptically.

In my childhood, my weekend routine revolved around television shows and comic books. Among the Batman comics and Superman TV series, The Jetsons stood out for a specific reason: it painted the future as something exciting, fun, and incredibly convenient. Unlike many dystopian or overly complicated portrayals of technology, The Jetsons gave me hope and wonder.

I would sit cross-legged in front of our bulky black-and-white TV set, amazed by flying cars, robots like Rosie, and video conversations that seemed impossibly futuristic. I remember vividly telling my mother:

“Mak, suatu hari nanti, orang mesti ada telefon yang boleh nampak muka orang lain!” She just laughed, probably thinking it was an impossible dream. Yet, here we are today, with video calls as common as a glass of water.

Predicting Technologies That Didn’t Yet Exist

“Biar betul? Cartoonists ni boleh ramal masa depan ke?”

What fascinated me most about The Jetsons wasn’t just the sleek aesthetics or the witty dialogues but how eerily accurate their predictions were. The cartoon first aired in 1962—decades before the internet, smartphones, or even personal computers became mainstream. Yet, astonishingly, they showcased technologies that closely mirror today’s innovations:

1. Drones and Autonomous Vehicles

I distinctly remember the excitement of seeing George Jetson commute to work in a flying autonomous vehicle. It seemed impossibly futuristic—no steering wheels, no pilots, just smooth automated flights. Fast-forward to now, and autonomous vehicles and drones are rapidly becoming mainstream. Companies like Tesla, Waymo, and countless drone startups are turning the once-cartoonish concept into reality.

2. Video Conferencing and Teleworking

Who could forget George Jetson’s daily arguments with his boss, Mr. Spacely, via a giant video screen? Even as a child, I wondered how amazing it would be to talk to someone face-to-face from afar. Decades later, platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet have made this our everyday reality.

3. Smartwatches and Wearable Tech

One of my favorite gadgets from the cartoon was the smartwatch. George Jetson regularly spoke into his wristwatch, something I emulated with a toy watch. Today, devices like the Apple Watch enable voice communication and monitor health, provide notifications, and manage daily activities effortlessly. It feels surreal, like I’ve stepped straight into George Jetson’s life.

Robots in Daily Life: From Rosie to Reality

“Wow, imagine having a Rosie at home… I’d never have to clean my room again!”

Perhaps one of the most beloved elements of The Jetsons was Rosie, their family robot. Rosie wasn’t just a tool; she was part of the family, intelligent, helpful, and capable of conversation. Today, we see early glimpses of Rosie through voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Companies like Boston Dynamics and Samsung are pushing boundaries even further, creating humanoid robots capable of performing household chores, providing care, and interacting with humans meaningfully.

I distinctly remember asking my mother, “Mak, one day kita boleh cakap dengan robot macam ni tak?” Again, it seemed impossible, but now, conversational AI is an integral part of our lives.

How The Jetsons Influenced My Career Path

“Mazlan, tengok cartoon je dah nak jadi saintis?” my parents chuckled when I expressed dreams of a technology-driven future.

Looking back, I realize how significantly this cartoon shaped my path. The whimsical portrayal of technology in The Jetsons not only inspired my interest in science fiction but also subtly guided me toward my career in telecommunications, IoT, and smart cities. I pursued electrical engineering and telecommunications and eventually became deeply involved in building smart cities—environments not unlike Orbit City, where IoT devices, smart transportation, and digital assistants simplify life.

When I founded FAVORIOT, a platform designed to empower IoT applications, the spirit of innovation and imagination instilled by The Jetsons was always at the forefront. I saw clearly how dreams from animated fiction could fuel real-world technological advancements.

A Visionary Cartoon That Still Inspires Today

“Tak sangka, cartoon yang aku tonton masa kecil dulu betul-betul jadi kenyataan hari ni.”

Revisiting the show today makes me marvel at its creators’ visionary minds. How did they manage to foresee so accurately? Was it pure creativity or a deeper understanding of technological trajectories?

In my opinion, The Jetsons succeeded because it tapped into universal human desires: convenience, connectivity, and curiosity. These remain consistent through decades, guiding technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs alike. The show taught us to dream boldly and envision beyond current limitations.

Imagining Tomorrow’s Technologies Today

“Apakah lagi teknologi yang kita belum capai? Apa lagi yang boleh aku wujudkan?”

As a technologist deeply involved in IoT and smart cities, I often reflect on how fiction shapes reality. Today, when developing smart city initiatives or mentoring young innovators, I remind them how important imagination is. Every groundbreaking technology begins as a seemingly impossible idea.

What about the technologies from The Jetsons that we haven’t fully realized yet? The cartoon showed cities elevated above the clouds due to environmental challenges on Earth. Given the increasing urgency of climate change, such imaginative solutions might not remain fictional forever. Maybe vertical, sustainable cities aren’t as far-fetched as we once believed.

Encouraging the Next Generation to Dream Big

“Kalau cartoon pun boleh predict future, kenapa kita tak boleh cipta teknologi baru lagi hebat?”

To inspire today’s youth—just as The Jetsons inspired me—I constantly share this simple message: imagination has no limits. I challenge them to envision solutions for future problems because what is imagined today is tomorrow’s reality. My journey, from a fascinated kid sitting on the living room floor watching George Jetson to an IoT entrepreneur and technologist, is proof of this.

Now, every time I make a video call, glance at my smartwatch, or see news about autonomous vehicles, I smile silently.

It all started with a cartoon.

Who knew? Maybe Hanna-Barbera creators were the real visionaries.

What futuristic cartoon today will become the blueprint for tomorrow’s innovations? Until then, I’ll continue watching, imagining, and building the future inspired by The Jetsons.

The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 17: How I Learned to Share Favoriot’s Story Without Overdoing It

The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Bragging

Should I share, or should I stay silent?

This question has haunted me since the early days of Favoriot.

Building a startup isn’t just about technology, funding, or business strategy—it’s also about storytelling. But where do we draw the line between sharing our journey to inspire others and coming across as boastful?

I’ve wrestled with this dilemma more times than I can count. Some people say, “Just let your work speak for itself.” Others insist, “People need to see your progress. They want to learn from your story.”

So, which one is it?

Let’s dive into the delicate balance of sharing our startup journey—without overdoing it.

The Early Days: A Team Fueled by Passion and Uncertainty

When we first started Favoriot, we were a small team with big dreams. We believed IoT had the power to change industries, improve lives, and create new opportunities.

But passion alone wasn’t enough.

We faced countless obstacles, including funding challenges, product-market fit struggles, and the ever-present fear of failure. We worked tirelessly behind the scenes, developing our platform and engaging with potential customers.

Then came the big question:

Should we share our struggles and milestones with the world or keep everything under wraps until we have something massive to announce?

I was torn.

“Maybe we should just stay quiet and let the results speak for themselves,” I thought. “What if we share too much, and it backfires?”

At the same time, I knew that people don’t just buy products—they buy into stories. They connect with a brand that feels human.

That’s when I realized the power of storytelling.

The Power of Storytelling in Startups

I’ve always believed that stories are what bring people together. They make businesses feel real, not just faceless corporations.

I started to ask myself:

“Wouldn’t sharing our small wins show others we’re genuine and making real progress?”

Momentum is everything in a startup. People want to know your journey—not just the polished version, but the raw and real struggles.

A few trusted advisors encouraged me:

“Mazlan, people want to see how a company grows. They want to learn from your experience, the ups and downs. Your story can inspire them.”

That made sense. After all, I’ve been inspired by others who openly shared their startup journeys. So why not do the same?

That was the moment I decided—we would share Favoriot’s story.

But little did I know that decision came with its own challenges.

The Doubts: Criticism and the Fear of Overexposure

The moment we started sharing our journey, the doubts crept in.

What if people thought we were just showing off?

What if our small wins were misinterpreted as arrogance?

I knew that no matter how genuine our intent was, some people would see it differently. Not everyone would cheer for our progress. Some might even root for us to fail.

That fear of inviting negativity was real.

A friend cautioned me, “Mazlan if you keep celebrating every little milestone, people might think you’re just making noise. Be careful.”

That struck a chord. I didn’t want Favoriot to be seen as all talk with no substance.

I had to find the right balance—sharing enough to inspire but not so much that it felt forced or unnecessary.

Finding the Right Balance: Authenticity Over Hype

I came to a realization:

It’s not about choosing between complete silence or constant broadcasting. The key is authenticity.

People can tell when a story is real. They can sense when you share because it’s meaningful, not because you want attention.

So, instead of treating every minor update as a big achievement, we focused on:

  1. Telling the whole story – Not just the victories but the challenges, failures, and lessons learned.
  2. Showing our human side – The sleepless nights, the difficult decisions, and the little moments that keep us going.
  3. Engaging, not boasting – Encouraging discussions rather than just making announcements.

The goal wasn’t to impress but to connect.

Emotion vs. Success Stories: Striking the Right Mix

So, how do we balance sharing emotions with business success?

I realized that while people love to hear about wins, they also appreciate honesty.

It wouldn’t be relatable if all we did was talk about how great we were doing. But if we only focused on struggles, it might seem like we were always in crisis mode.

We had to share both our progress and the hard lessons we were learning along the way.

A startup journey isn’t just about achievements. It’s about persistence, the small breakthroughs that lead to bigger ones, and the human experience behind the business.

Dealing with Criticism: Staying True to Our Mission

No matter how carefully we shared our story, there would always be critics.

Some would call it bragging. Others would question our decisions.

At first, this got to me. I second-guessed whether we should continue sharing at all.

But then I reminded myself:

Not everyone will root for you, and that’s okay.

The key is how you share. If you want to genuinely document your journey and help others, the right people will appreciate it.

It’s not about boasting—it’s about showing what it takes to build something from the ground up.

If someone sees that as bragging, that’s their perspective. But that shouldn’t stop us from telling our story.

Lessons Learned from Sharing the FAVORIOT Journey

Looking back, I’m glad we shared parts of our journey.

It helped us:

✅ Build a community that believes in our mission.
✅ Establish trust with partners and customers.
✅ Inspire other entrepreneurs who are going through the same struggles.

But we also learned to be mindful of how we share.

We don’t need to post every minor update. We don’t need to be overly polished. But we also don’t need to stay silent.

It’s all about balance—giving people a window into our world while staying true to our values.

The Importance of Authenticity in Business

At the end of the day, what matters most is staying authentic.

Favoriot isn’t just a company—we’re a team with a vision.

And that vision isn’t just about technology. It’s about building relationships, creating impact, and helping others understand the potential of IoT.

That’s why we continue sharing our story—not to show off but to invite others to share in our journey.

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s this:

People don’t connect with success. They connect with the story behind it.

And as long as we stay true to that, we’ll always have something meaningful to share.

Favoriot Entrepreneurship Stories

  1. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 16: Why Favoriot Must Look Beyond Malaysia for Success
  2. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 15: From Lecture Halls to Investor Pitches
  3. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 14: To Exit or Not to Exit?
  4. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 13: Does Winning Awards Help a Startup Succeed?
  5. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 12: The Dream of M&A Exit
  6. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 11: The Rocky Road of Smart Cities
  7. The Story Behind Favoriot — Part 10: Age Does Not Matter in Business
  8. The Story Behind Favoriot — Part 9: Leaving the Comfort Zone
  9. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 8: The Frustration of Unanswered Emails and Missed Opportunities
  10. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 7: The Task of Finding Favoriot’s First 10 Customers
  11. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 6: Expanding The Business Models
  12. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 5: Finding the Right Fit
  13. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 4: How Favoriot Became More Than Just an IoT Platform
  14. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 3: Why No One Wanted Our IoT Platform—And How We Turned It Around
  15. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 2: Turning Failures into Milestones
  16. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part I: The Humble Beginnings of Favoriot

Lessons from My eBooks Sales

Someone asked me whether downloadable guides are a good lead generator for your business.

I never expected my eBooks to reach thousands of readers, let alone generate meaningful engagement. But looking at the numbers on my Payhip dashboard, I realise that writing and sharing knowledge can have a far-reaching impact.

The Journey of Sharing Knowledge

When I started publishing eBooks, my goal was simple: to document my experiences in IoT, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies. I wanted to provide insights, guides, and frameworks that others could use, whether beginners or seasoned professionals.

Some books were offered for free to encourage accessibility, while others were priced modestly to reflect the value they provided. The result? A mix of high engagement and steady sales across different topics.

What the Numbers Reveal

Here’s a quick breakdown of how my eBooks have performed:

  • Most Popular Titles:

These two books clearly stand out. They focus on IoT, a topic I’ve been deeply involved with for years. It confirms that readers are eager to learn about IoT from a practical perspective. (Note: Initially, I sold these eBooks but now have made it for free)

These free resources were downloaded hundreds of times, proving that people appreciate concise and visual learning materials. Even though they didn’t generate direct revenue, they helped establish credibility and expand my reach.

These books didn’t attract huge numbers, but those who did purchase them found value in the content. It shows that niche topics may have a smaller audience but can still be monetised effectively. However, I have significantly reduced the prices of these eBooks.

Lessons from This Experience

  1. Free Resources Create Awareness
    Many downloads came from free materials, proving that giving knowledge away can be a powerful strategy. It builds trust and increases the likelihood of people exploring paid content later.
  2. IoT is a Strong Niche
    Books related to IoT consistently performed well. This reinforces that IoT remains a hot topic, and people actively seek structured knowledge.
  3. Engagement Doesn’t Always Mean Revenue
    Some books had high views but few orders, while others had lower views but better conversion rates. Pricing, perceived value, and the topic’s urgency significantly influence an eBook’s performance.
  4. Presentation Matters
    The success of IoT Notes and Your IoT Journey suggests that readers appreciate structured, well-organised content with clear takeaways.

What’s Next?

Seeing these numbers has given me new ideas. I plan to refine my offerings, update content, and possibly bundle resources to increase value. I’m also considering interactive formats like video courses based on my books.

Publishing these eBooks has been a rewarding experience—not just in sales but in the connections and conversations they have sparked. If you’re thinking of writing your own eBook, go for it. You never know who might find value in your words.

Check out my eBooks here: Payhip Store.

What do you think makes an eBook successful? Let’s discuss it!

How AI Sees My Writing Style – And What It Means for 2025

“Do I really have a writing style?”

That question kept bouncing in my head as I stared at the AI analysis of my articles. I’ve always written instinctively—pouring out thoughts, reflecting on experiences, and hoping they resonate with someone out there. But now, with a year’s worth of writing analyzed, I can’t help but smile.

The verdict?

I’m a storyteller at heart. I thrive on conversations. Most importantly, I write for impact.

So, let’s break it down. What makes my writing style uniquely mine?

1. Storytelling is My Foundation

“You should start with a story.”

I remember hearing that advice long ago. At first, it felt unnecessary—why not just get straight to the point? But over time, I realized that stories bridge the gap between knowledge and understanding.

When I write about IoT, I don’t just list facts. I take readers on a journey, whether they’re entrepreneurs struggling to deploy smart city solutions or university students trying to commercialize an IoT project.

Take “Why Writing Is Like Running a Marathon” or “The Silent Struggles of Researchers”—I don’t just talk about endurance and challenges. I live through them in my writing.

Why it matters: Stories stick. They make abstract ideas tangible and personal.

2. Conversational and Relatable Tone

“Write as if you’re talking to a friend over coffee.”

That’s how I approach my articles. No stiff, robotic sentences. No excessive jargon. Just me, having a conversation with you.

Whether I’m sharing “How Medium Shaped My Voice” or “Why You Should Write From the Heart,” my goal is simple: I want you to feel like we’re just sitting together, chatting about life and ideas.

Why it matters: Readers don’t want to be lectured. They want a dialogue.

3. First-Person Perspective Brings Depth

“Why do you always write in first person?”

Because it’s real. Because it’s personal. Because I believe the best way to inspire is by showing—not just telling.

If I write about IoT projects in universities or my journey in the corporate world, I’m not giving a third-person analysis. I’m sharing my experiences, lessons, and mistakes.

Why it matters: It builds trust. Readers connect with people, not abstract ideas.

4. Structure Matters – A Lot

“Make it easy to read.”

Long, unbroken paragraphs? No thanks. My articles are structured with clear sections, subheadings, and logical flow.

If I’m explaining “5 Lessons I Learned About Writing” or “How Favoriot Empowers IoT System Integrators”, I want you to get value fast.

Why it matters: Clarity keeps people reading. A good article doesn’t feel like work—it flows effortlessly.

5. Motivation and Inspiration Are My Hidden Ingredients

“People don’t just read for information. They read for inspiration.”

When I wrote “Why Persistence in Writing Matters” or “Every Failure Was a Step Toward Success”, I wasn’t just telling stories. I was giving hope.

I know what it’s like to feel stuck. To feel like no one is listening. To wonder if your efforts are even worth it. But every challenge I’ve faced has led me somewhere better. That’s the message I want to leave behind.

Why it matters: Inspiration fuels action.

6. Versatility Without Losing Identity

“Do you only write about IoT?”

No. And I never will.

My interests are broad—entrepreneurship, technology, personal growth, writing—but my voice remains the same. Whether discussing IoT’s future or writing a letter to my future self, it still feels like me.

Why it matters: A consistent voice makes a writer memorable.

7. Emotion and Logic Go Hand in Hand

“Facts alone don’t convince people. Emotions do.”

When I wrote “How Responding to Comments Boosted My Writing Output,” I didn’t just provide statistics. I also shared how engaging with readers felt —the excitement, the connections, the motivation.

Then, I supported my argument with logic—why engagement matters, how it impacts visibility, and what writers can do to grow.

Why it matters: The best articles engage both heart and mind.

8. Analogies and Metaphors Make Everything Click

“Explain it like they’re five.”

If I say, “Writing is like running a marathon,” you immediately understand endurance is key. If I say, “A Medium writer is like a badminton player,” you get that consistency and technique matter.

I use analogies because they simplify complexity. IoT, AI, writing—whatever the topic, if I can compare it to something familiar, it becomes easier to grasp.

Why it matters: Analogies make learning fun and effortless.

9. Audience-Centric Writing

“Who am I writing for?”

Every article I write answers a question or solves a problem.

Whether it’s “Why You Should Not Give Up Writing” or “How Favoriot Empowers IoT System Integrators”, my focus is always: How can this help the reader?

Why it matters: Readers stay loyal when they feel seen and understood.

10. Learning and Growing Through Writing

“Writing is my best teacher.”

I reflect a lot in my articles.

From “Lessons Learned in My 13-Year Telco Career” to “My Journey of Writing 550 Articles on Medium”, I use my past as a learning tool. I talk about mistakes, breakthroughs, and the evolution of my thoughts.

Why it matters: Growth is relatable. Readers appreciate honesty.

What This Means for 2025

Seeing this breakdown made me realize one thing—I love writing.

And in 2025, I’ll write even more.

✔ More stories that resonate.
✔ More conversations that connect.
✔ More insights that inspire.

If AI says my writing has an impact, I owe it to myself (and my readers) to keep going.

Because at the end of the day, writing isn’t just about putting words on a page.

It’s about sharing experiences, shaping perspectives, and leaving a legacy.

Here’s to another year of storytelling.