The Milestone on the Freedom - Things changes.

I’m writing this to the people who have started their career or mid of career moved to foreign countries as expat for living. Or relatable to someone who has migrated for some other reasons.?

The reason I wanted to write this now is the company as a solo man I started to have my dependance has been awarded “Malaysia Digital” Status. It’s not a big achievement, and many local companies can get. But it matters as a foreigner and also without capital or big influence, we got this as a Team now.?

The milestone reminds me 3 things, and it also motivates me.

1. Independence from companies: Ability to issue Visa for me or for my developers (it’s not about visa, I will tell why)?
2. Progress vs Success?
3. Reaching a stage where I am able to give back what I made in this country.?

?I can’t believe all of this would happen in a matter of years. We or me are not successful from financial perspective. But satisfied from individual perspective.?

Independence?

Working for someone…

It’s going to be 11 years in the work life. I messaged to my mentor(also my x-manager) last night on why he is the best leader I ever had in my professional career. I would love to work with people like him. But on the other side, I also start to think about a lot of the past working for others (& companies). It was mostly good, but I still don’t fully love the dependancy.?

Visa, Contract, etc. All these hooks are reliances on others, even we as the person provide our skills to grow their company or anything they do. But these items are used as an advantage by the companies for expats. I think contracts hook is used for local employees as well. People with family, kids, or many things going in the foreign country cannot roll back and easily go back when the companies want to threaten or lay off. So, the employees tend to follow what their managers want or the company wants. There is no moral or values to fight for. Just follow or leave.?

When I sat on the introductory session today for the newly awarded “Digital Status” companies, and listening the benefits of the status. One of it is you as a Malaysia digital status company can hire expats if you need them. We don’t have that need/money to do now, but the feeling that you have the capability to do that gives me the independence feeling.?11 Years ago, I started my career in Malaysia, Then Singapore and now back to Malaysia. All the while, I depend on other companies.?The time has changed (praise to the Almighty). Do I know that I will be in this situation? No.?Did I get it naturally? No, we worked through. Did we buy using money? No. Did we have influence? No. Did we cheat? No.?

Knowledge can be powerful with the good intention. This knowledge can give us any lifestyle we want if we aspire, worked towards, and asked for. This knowledge with your good health(+God's will), It can bring you anything you want.?

What do I want? I imagine if there could be a world where everybody works for themselves. Like how currently freelancers are working for themselves, there should be an opportunity for that.?The painters who used to paint by themselves. The artisans who make their product.

Progress vs Success

The time now in terms of financial growth or the status I mentioned again is not big. And definitely it’s not a scientific invention or an achievement. It’s nothing, though. But it’s the progress. My friend who told me once I was in windstorm staying in the tent, “JK I really love you. Man, It’s not whether you can reach the end of the world, it’s the journey”.?It also means the journey that is progressing. It’s my life mantra.

Comparing 10 years ago and where I’m now, it’s a different level of satisfaction. I don’t think I’ll regret that why I quit or Why I wanted to be in this startup phase. And the next 10 years or after 10 years, It can be UP or DOWN or even no more. And we don’t know. But I feel we are climbing on our own without capital or fanfare. As much as we climb on ourselves, the stamina is going to improve with all these exercises. And I believe we will grow self sustainability, iA.?

Giving back

Consequently, 2 years, we have paid tax as a company. And in months, it will be 3rd Year. It was a tiny peanut, what we paid. But the feeling of paying back to the country who has given me safe place with respect, dignity, opportunity, and everything is REALLY satisfying. And another thing is not more than 10% of our income is made from Malaysia. Is it silly I’m saying? I don't know, but I feel to jot it down. Don’t ask me what I have given the homeland, 50-70% of it went there while I was working here :) :)?

Btw, We are looking to find some help from local designers to mark our localised version of the product to empower micro / SME sector in Malaysia. And also improving our onboarding experiences. Our UX sucks as per standard. Pray for us, it becomes succeed.?

Things changes. And it changes for good. We just need to put effort to hit more milestones on the journey. And fully get freedom for everyone. The same goal of independence for us is the same thing we are trying to do for others with Tradly. More on it soon.