I’ve never really believed in the idea of ‘work’ as a transactional existence.. i.e. you do ‘work’ in order to get money in return.

Even as I’m building my own brand ‘Marketing Futurist’, I’m constantly thinking – how can I turn it into something that doesn’t feel like work at all! 

I’m reminded of the guy I met at Jispa – it was one of my most cherished solo trips ever! The person was a well-respected Ayurvedic doctor in the village, who also happened to own a homestay – nearby the place where I was staying. 

I walked up to his place and asked if he had anything to eat. 

He gave me a bowl of warm noodles to eat. As I finished eating, I asked him – 

“how much?” taking out my wallet 

“you can pay whatever you want”, he responded. 

No, no.. please tell me – how much should I pay you? you cooked and served it to me.. Please tell me a fair price that’d make your effort worthwhile. 

He said: I didn’t cook it for you; I cooked it for myself. Secondly, whatever you pay is fine with me.  

The guy was soo hesitant to take money from me. I was a bit taken aback to be honest.. 

Because the world where I come from, everyone runs after money. 

And here I am, with this guy.. who doesn’t give a f*ck. 

Hmm, interesting.. I thought to myself. 

Perhaps this was the way life was supposed to be. Effortless.

But what makes an action effort-less? 

The source from which it arises. 

The impetus for the action must arise from a source that is deep within your heart. No compromise. 

But what about commerce? 

You have to marry what you deeply, internally care about, with what other people want, or would want in the future. 

For instance, this writing would hardly attract money. Because I don’t know how it may benefit someone else. I do it purely to explore the deepest corners of myself. 

But my other writing, which got published in Malaysian Business Magazine, is a good example. 

It was a detailed, well-researched piece investigating the rise of AI influencers. 

Since many people care about AI, and influencer marketing, it picked up.

Did I lose myself while writing it? Absolutely. 

But it’s hard to make money from content alone, especially for a person of depth, like me. And hey, I do want to attract money… and a lot of it. 

I’m not “spiritual” by your definition… I’m just attuned to life. 

And, I care about “1/3rd” of my day. 

So what’s the way? To attract a lot of money.. And be absolutely blissed out while doing so? 

The core principle remains the same: you engage in something that comes from the deepest reservoirs of your heart and natural desires. While making sure that what you’re engaging in is wanted or will be wanted by a lot of people in the future. 

And for me, it’s emotional resonance. And human connection — in the world of AI. 

I know, as a matter of fact, that a LOT of people will want this in the future. 

As more and more people begin to use AI, they’ll all sound the same. 

And consumers don’t pay attention to that which looks, feels, and sounds the same – let alone engaging and buying. 

I believe the future of marketing is human-first. Everyone can use AI but no one else can be you.

And that’s the direction I’m now pursuing at Marketing Futurist.