Tag: dailyprompt-1859

The Lonely Struggles of a Founder: The Silent Battle No One Sees

Another sleepless night. The clock shows 3:47 AM, but my mind is far from resting. I stare at the ceiling, watching shadows move with the passing headlights outside. My thoughts? A never-ending loop of problems, solutions, ideas, and fears. Will FAVORIOT make it? Are we moving fast enough? What if we fail?

If you’re a founder, you know this feeling too well. The burden of running a startup never leaves. Whether it’s a weekend, a public holiday, or a late-night teh tarik session with friends, the weight of the company is always there. There’s no “off switch.”

People from the outside might admire the entrepreneurial journey, imagining it as glamorous—being your own boss, calling the shots, making a difference. But behind closed doors, it’s a battle of survival.

And the most challenging part? The loneliness.

The Invisible Weight of Leadership

When you’re a founder, everything falls on your shoulders. The revenue, the product roadmap, the team’s morale, customer satisfaction, partnerships, investments—everything. And if things go wrong, there’s no one else to blame.

Employees can leave if things get tough. Investors only care about numbers. Customers just want their problems solved. But the founder? We have no escape. Even if we take a break, our minds never do.

I’ve had nights where I wake up from a nightmare, heart pounding because I dreamt of something going wrong—losing a big deal, a major system failure, running out of funds. And the worst part? Sometimes, these nightmares become reality.

Who do I talk to about this? My team? No, they look up to me for guidance. My spouse? She listens, but she will never truly feel the weight I carry. My friends? Most of them are in corporate jobs with steady paychecks. They don’t understand what it’s like to wake up daily with the responsibility of keeping a company alive.

Sometimes, I sit alone in my office, staring at my laptop screen, but my mind is elsewhere. Not thinking, just… lost. It’s a strange kind of exhaustion that words can’t describe.

The Illusion of Support

Yes, we have networking sessions. We meet other founders over coffee or teh tarik, exchange war stories, and laugh about our struggles. But deep inside, we all know that some things remain unspoken.

The real fears, the moments of doubt, the decisions we make in the dead of night that no one will ever hear about.

Sometimes, I sit in a room full of people, nodding and smiling, but my mind is stuck in a spiral of “What’s next?” Because while others can relax, I cannot. The company’s survival is my responsibility.

Investors don’t want to hear struggles; they want results. Employees need direction, not a leader who doubts. Customers wish to stability, not uncertainty.

So, where do founders turn to?

Breaking the Cycle of Isolation

Over time, I realized that dealing with loneliness as a founder is not about removing the burden but managing it better. Here’s what has helped me stay sane on this lonely journey:

1. Finding a Trusted Inner Circle

Not everyone will understand, but having one or two people who truly understand can make a difference. Whether it’s a mentor, a fellow entrepreneur, or a long-time friend who knows your journey, having someone to share raw, unfiltered thoughts with is crucial.

It was inspiring to meet founders who were a few steps ahead in their journey. They’ve been through what I’m facing now, and their insights are invaluable.

2. Practicing Strategic Detachment

A startup is like a baby—it needs care, attention, and sleepless nights. But over time, I learned to detach my self-worth from the company’s success or failure. It’s hard but necessary.

I remind myself that I am not my startup.

If FAVORIOT fails, it doesn’t mean I am a failure. And if it succeeds, I should not let it consume my identity entirely.

3. Scheduling Mind Breaks

Taking breaks doesn’t mean we don’t care. It means we’re making space for better decision-making. Some of my best ideas have come when I stepped away from my desk.

A short trip, an evening walk, even just sitting at a café without checking emails—these small breaks help reset my mind.

4. Writing as Therapy

I started writing down my thoughts, not for anyone else but myself. It’s like talking to a friend who doesn’t judge. It helps me process emotions, clear my head, and sometimes even discover solutions hidden in my words.

5. Embracing the Unknown

The truth is, no founder has it all figured out. Even the most successful entrepreneurs had moments of doubt. The difference is that they kept going despite the uncertainty.

Instead of fearing the unknown, I try to embrace it. Every problem is a puzzle, every challenge a lesson.

Final Thoughts: You Are Not Alone

To all the founders out there—know you are not alone if you feel lonely. I understand the silent battles you fight, the sleepless nights, the weight on your shoulders.

No easy fix exists, but you can make the journey less heavy. Find people who understand, step away when needed, and remind yourself that you are more than your startup.

And on those nights when your mind won’t stop racing, remember: This struggle is part of the journey. One day, you’ll look back and realize that these lonely, difficult, exhausting moments shaped you into the leader you were meant to be.

For now, take a deep breath.

The battle continues, but you are not alone.

Building a Loyal Newsletter Subscriber Base

Image created using Picsart

I still picture the days when I was just getting started with writing.

I poured hours into crafting articles that I thought were insightful, valuable, and even entertaining.

But when I hit publish, it often felt like shouting into a void. The engagement was minimal, and the metrics barely moved.

I used to wonder, What am I doing wrong?

“Maybe people don’t care about what I have to say,” I thought to myself. It’s disheartening to invest so much effort and get little in return.

But here’s the thing: I learned that this phase is natural.

Every writer, every creator starts here. The audience won’t magically appear overnight.

It’s part of the process.

This phase taught me resilience, patience, and the value of consistently showing up.

I told myself, Keep writing, Mazlan. There’s something to learn in every step of the way.

The Mindset Shift

It wasn’t until much later that I realised something fundamental needed to change: my mindset.

I was so focused on being “impressive” that I forgot the most important thing — being real.

I remember one night staring at a blank screen, frustrated, thinking, Why am I trying so hard to sound perfect?

That’s when it hit me.

I needed to let go of this facade and write as the real Mazlan Abbas.

The next time I sat down to write, I approached it differently.

Instead of trying to impress or win approval, I decided to be honest. I shared the struggles I’d faced, the doubts I’d wrestled with, and the lessons I’d learned.

It felt vulnerable at first, but it also felt right.

“Just be yourself,” I told myself, “That’s what people connect with.”

And guess what? It worked.

The more authentic I was, the more people started to engage.

Authenticity Resonates

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that authenticity resonates.

People don’t want to hear about how great you are. They want to hear about your journey, your challenges, and your transformations.

When I started sharing my real-life experiences, I noticed something incredible happening.

Readers began commenting, sharing their own stories, and even thanking me for being open.

I realised that people relate to humanity, not perfection.

They connect with the messy, chaotic parts of life because that’s what we all experience.

When you write from a place of authenticity, you build trust.

And trust is the foundation of any loyal community.

Your Stories Are Their Stories

“Your stories are not just about you,” I remind myself every time I write.

They’re also about the reader.

When you share a personal struggle or a lesson learned, you’re giving the reader a mirror to see their own life.

For instance, when I wrote about my initial struggles with building FAVORIOT, people resonated.

They saw themselves in my position, facing their own challenges of starting something new.

It wasn’t about me being an expert; it was about me being relatable.

This is the power of storytelling.

It creates a bridge between you and your audience.

When readers see that you’ve faced similar challenges and come out stronger, they’re inspired. They feel connected.

And they want to be part of your journey.

Building Community Through Authenticity

There’s a myth that you need to be highly charismatic or entertaining to build a loyal audience.

I’m here to tell you that’s not true. What you really need is authenticity.

When I stopped trying to impress and started being honest, writing became therapeutic.

It stopped feeling like a chore and started feeling like a conversation. I began to look forward to it because it allowed me to express myself fully.

“Mazlan,” I often remind myself, “just write as if you’re talking to a friend.” And it’s amazing how much more engaging my writing became.

People can sense when you’re being real. It draws them in.

Growing Your Audience with Purpose

Once I found my authentic voice, the next step was to write with purpose.

I started asking myself, What value can I provide? How can I make this article helpful or inspiring for my readers?

Instead of aiming for perfection, I focused on consistency and connection.

Each piece of content became an opportunity to share a story, a lesson, or an insight.

And with each post, I could feel my audience growing — not just in numbers but in loyalty.

“It’s not about writing for everyone,” I reminded myself. “It’s about writing for the right people.”

That’s how you attract your ideal audience — by being clear about who you are and what you stand for.

Actionable Takeaways

So, what can you do to build a loyal subscriber base? Here are the key takeaways from my journey:

  1. Be Honest and Vulnerable: Share your real experiences, even the struggles. This builds trust and relatability.
  2. Focus on Connection, Not Perfection: People don’t want perfect; they want real. Show them your humanity.
  3. Tell Stories with Depth: Use your challenges and growth as the foundation for your stories.
  4. Write Consistently: It’s not about writing a masterpiece every time. It’s about showing up and sharing your voice regularly.
  5. Have a Clear Purpose: Always ask yourself how your content can serve your readers.

Final Thoughts

Building a loyal newsletter subscriber base isn’t about being the best writer or having the flashiest content.

It’s about being authentic, consistent, and purposeful.

When you write with honesty and vulnerability, you create a space where people feel seen, heard, and connected.

For me, this journey has been as much about personal growth as it has been about building a community.

And that’s what makes it so rewarding.

So, if you’re ready to start your own newsletter or blog, remember: your voice matters, and your stories can make a difference.

“Just be yourself,” I remind myself every day. “That’s all it takes.”

The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 19: How the Law of Attraction Shapes Favoriot’s Future

The Imagination That Built Favoriot

Imagination is often dismissed as a whimsical exercise, yet it’s the spark that ignites progress. The world we live in today was once imagined by someone who dared to think beyond what was possible. Reflecting on Favoriot’s journey, I realize how important it is to dream about the future we want to create.

I believe in the Law of Attraction—the idea that what we think and visualize with intent can manifest into reality. When we first started Favoriot, we imagined a future where our platform would power smart cities, empower students, and become a global name in IoT. Some might have called it wishful thinking. But imagination, when combined with action and persistence, can shape reality.

Let me take you on a journey through an imagined future where Favoriot’s influence has transcended borders, industries, and expectations. This is not just a daydream. It’s a vision we are working tirelessly to turn into reality.

A Vision of Favoriot’s Future

I close my eyes and transport myself into the future. I enter a massive IoT trade exhibition akin to CES or the World Smart City Expo. The atmosphere is electric with innovation. Companies from around the world have gathered to showcase their latest technologies. As I navigate the exhibition hall, one thing becomes apparent: the Favoriot logo is everywhere.

Booth after booth, exhibitors proudly display their demos powered by the Favoriot IoT platform. Startups with groundbreaking hardware solutions, companies showcasing futuristic smart city concepts, and AI-driven IoT applications are all seamlessly connected through Favoriot.

But why? Why did they choose Favoriot? It’s not just a platform. It has become the trusted backbone for innovation, synonymous with reliability and scalability. I feel an overwhelming sense of pride in seeing this unfold in real time. This is the world we imagined when we first built Favoriot: a world where our platform is the silent enabler of extraordinary solutions.

The Power of Favoriot in Education

My next stop in this imagined world is a university. Favoriot has become a standard name here—not just a tool but a core part of the curriculum.

In lecture halls, professors discuss real-world IoT case studies, and students dive deep into hands-on learning, exploring the potential of IoT using the Favoriot platform. I peek into a lab where students are working on their final-year projects. A team is developing a smart agriculture solution, leveraging Favoriot to monitor soil conditions and automate irrigation. Another group is focused on smart health, creating wearable devices for chronic disease management and using Favoriot’s analytics features to visualize patient data.

It’s exhilarating to see how a tool we created has become the foundation for nurturing the next generation of IoT innovators. Universities nationwide and internationally now teach IoT through Favoriot. Their labs are equipped with pre-configured dashboards, APIs, and datasets, making it easy for students to start building. What was once a platform we envisioned for businesses has become an educational cornerstone. Students graduate not only with degrees but as skilled Favoriot-certified IoT professionals.

This didn’t happen by accident. It was imagined, desired, and, through our efforts, made a reality.

Transforming Cities with IoT

As I step into a local council’s command centre, I see a vibrant dashboard powered by Favoriot. The screen displays real-time data from various IoT solutions deployed throughout the city: smart streetlights, waste management sensors, flood detection systems, and air quality monitors.

This isn’t just a collection of disconnected systems—it’s an integrated platform that combines everything under one roof.

The mayor stands beside me, explaining how this has revolutionized the council’s operations.

“Favoriot has helped us move from reactive to proactive,” she says. “We no longer wait for complaints; we solve problems before they arise.”

I imagined this when we spoke about smart cities years ago—a city where data drives decision-making, not just to improve efficiency but to genuinely enhance the quality of life for its citizens.

Favoriot isn’t just another vendor in this ecosystem—it’s the platform that local councils trust to aggregate and analyze IoT data, bridging the gap between diverse solutions and actionable insights.

Again, this was once a dream, an idea that many doubted. But here it is, functioning as imagined, because we believed in its possibility.

The Future of IoT Businesses

IoT product companies no longer struggle to create end-to-end solutions. Instead, they focus on what they do best—building world-class hardware or cutting-edge AI applications. Favoriot fills the gap by providing a robust platform to manage data collection and analysis.

Imagine a company specializing in healthcare sensors. Instead of spending years developing its own platform, it uses Favoriot to connect its devices. This shortens its time-to-market, and its customers benefit from a complete solution that’s both scalable and user-friendly.

The same goes for system integrators who rely on Favoriot to simplify IoT deployments for their clients. Some have taken this even further by offering managed IoT services. With Favoriot, they provide their clients with dashboards, analytics, and customized solutions without the technical headache of building everything from scratch.

It’s a win-win: the integrators expand their business offerings, and Favoriot becomes the go-to platform for IoT scalability.

Expanding Globally Through the Law of Attraction

The most exciting part of this imagined future is Favoriot’s global footprint. We have partnered with system integrators and distributors across continents, allowing us to enter new markets quickly.

In Indonesia, a partner uses Favoriot to enable advanced agriculture systems. In Europe, we’re powering smart transportation initiatives. In Africa, Favoriot is the backbone of rural healthcare IoT solutions.

These partnerships aren’t just transactional; they’re built on a shared vision of what IoT can achieve. By empowering local players in each market, Favoriot has become a global name synonymous with IoT excellence.

How did we reach this level? By first believing in it. The Law of Attraction teaches that whatever we focus on grows. We visualized this expansion, worked towards it, and attracted the right people and opportunities to make it happen.

A Dream Becoming Reality

I close my eyes and imagine standing on a stage at a significant IoT event. The lights dim, and a video showcases real-world success stories of Favoriot-powered solutions. The impact is tangible, from smart cities to healthcare and agriculture to education.

As I speak, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come—as a company and as a community of dreamers and doers. Favoriot’s success wasn’t just about technology but about believing in the power of imagination.

We imagined a world where IoT could truly transform lives when we started. Today, in this envisioned future, that world has come alive.

So, is it wrong to imagine? Absolutely not.

Imagination is where dreams take shape, and the seeds of innovation are planted. As I look at Favoriot’s journey—from a small startup to a global IoT leader—I know that it all started with a simple yet powerful idea: to imagine the impossible and make it real.

Will this vision come true? I believe it will. Because imagination, when paired with hard work, resilience, and the right team, can achieve wonders.

So, let’s keep imagining, dreaming, and building the future—one step at a time.