Where Do I See Myself in 10 Years?Reflections of a 64-Year-Old Dreamer Who Still Believes
“Ten years from now? That’s 74… You sure you want to think that far ahead?”
That was the first voice in my head when I read the question.
“Come on, Mazlan. You’re 64. Isn’t it time to slow down?”
But that voice didn’t last long.
Another voice — louder, bolder, more familiar — gently whispered,
“Slow down? You’ve just started walking your true path.”
That, my friend, is the voice I’ve listened to all my life.
The Clock Doesn’t Define Me
I’ve always seen age as numbers, not limits. The world might call me a “senior,” but my dreams don’t carry wrinkles, and my purpose doesn’t need walking sticks.
Yes, the body is slower — I’ll admit that. Knees creak more than they used to, and climbing stairs feels like a mini leg day. But the fire in me? It burns as fiercely as it did when I was 24, maybe even brighter now.
If anything, I’ve become more dangerous — not because of youth, but because of clarity. I know what matters. I know what I can ignore. I know who I am. That took decades to earn.
In 10 Years, I See…
1. Myself Still Creating
I don’t want to retire into silence. I want to retire into purpose.
“But Mazlan, what will you still be creating?”
Stories. Ideas. Opportunities. A legacy.
I see myself writing more — maybe a book that finally captures the full arc of my journey. Maybe I’ll title it “The IoT Man Who Never Gave Up.”
I want to write not just for entrepreneurs or engineers… but for anyone standing at the edge of doubt, wondering if it’s too late to start. I want them to know — it’s never too late. I’m proof.
And beyond writing? I’ll still be creating ecosystems. Platforms. Programs. Things that last longer than I do.
2. A Nation of Young Dreamers Trained by My Hands
I dream of walking into a university lab and seeing students working on real-world IoT systems — not because they were told to, but because they were inspired to.
Some of those students might call me “Professor,” or maybe just “Sifu.”
Some of them will know my name from stories their lecturers told.
Some might even come up and say,
“Dr. Mazlan, it was your video, your talk, your comic that made me believe I could do this.”
That… That would mean everything.
3. Favoriot Becoming a Global Force
In 10 years, I want Favoriot to stand not just as a Malaysian platform, but as the ASEAN reference for democratizing IoT.
Not because we had the biggest investors. Not because we built the fanciest dashboards.
But because we stayed consistent. Because we believed in building from within.
I want to see partners from 25, 30, 40 countries — each with their own IoT academies, each training their youth through Favoriot’s platform.
I want the world to know:
“This came from Malaysia.”
4. My Grandchildren Teaching Me New Tricks
Yes, I see myself as a grandfather of ideas and technology. But also — hopefully — a real grandfather.
I imagine a small hand tugging at mine,
“Tok Bak, how did you build all this?”
I’ll smile. “With time, failure, and this old stubborn heart.”
They’ll be digital natives, perhaps building with AI, robotics, or tools I can’t even imagine now. But I want to remain curious.
To listen.
To learn.
To laugh with them when I get it wrong.
To beam with pride when they surpass me.
Because the only thing better than building your dream… is seeing the next generation build bigger ones.
My Days Will Be Quieter, But My Impact Louder
In 10 years, I won’t be racing from meeting to meeting.
But I might still wake up at 5:30 AM. Sit by the window with my mug of kopi o, pen in one hand, thoughts in another.
I’ll be reflecting more than running.
Speaking less, but with more weight.
I might appear less on stage, but more in hearts.
I’ll write more love letters to this beautiful world that gave me chances.
Letters disguised as blog posts, talks, podcasts, maybe even a comic strip here and there.
One titled “The Last Adventure of IoT Man.”
(But don’t worry, he always comes back for a sequel.)
If I’m Lucky… I’ll Still Have Time
“Mazlan, do you think you’ll still have the energy?”
That question used to scare me.
But I’ve learned — energy doesn’t come from the body.
It comes from the heart. From purpose. From waking up with something worth fighting for.
If I still have the energy to smile at the sunrise,
to mentor a young founder,
to write one more idea that outlives me,
then yes — I’ll still be in the arena.
My Final Decade of Legacy
The next 10 years may be my most meaningful yet.
Not the flashiest.
Not the fastest.
But the most authentic.
The most connected.
The most fulfilled.
I won’t measure success by income charts or social media stats.
I’ll measure it by how many lives I’ve helped ignite.
By how many students I’ve believed in.
By how many said, “Because of you, I didn’t quit.”
So where do I see myself in 10 years?
Right where I need to be.
Still serving.
Still dreaming.
Still building.
And perhaps, finally, resting — but only after I’ve passed the torch.
With a smile. With peace. And with the unshakable belief that I’ve done what I was born to do.
“I see a 74-year-old man… not slowing down, but rising. A man who looks back with pride and forward with grace. A man who lives not in the shadow of his youth, but in the light of his impact.”
Yes, that’s where I’ll be.
InshaaAllah.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 