MANY ENTREPRENEURS DO NOT FAIL BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY. THEY FAIL WHEN FEAR BEGINS TO SHAPE HOW THEY SEE THE FUTURE.
Last night, I was on a flight to London. As we enter Q3 of 2026, I am grateful to be travelling for the graduation ceremony of my Global Master of Business Administration at Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester.
During the long journey, I noticed a notebook and a pen placed in front of my seat. It reminded me of a habit I have kept for many years. Whenever I travel, I take time to rewrite my goals and aspirations not because I have forgotten them, but because rewriting them forces me to reflect on something much deeper than the goals themselves. It challenges me to ask whether my vision is still big enough, whether I still believe it is possible, and whether my thinking has continued to grow alongside my ambitions.
As we move into the second half of the year, I know many entrepreneurs are feeling the weight of rising operating costs, higher interest rates, cautious consumer spending and an increasingly uncertain global economy. Over time, these external pressures quietly become internal assumptions. Without even realising it, many founders begin lowering their expectations before the market has truly limited their potential, allowing fear to influence decisions that should instead be guided by purpose, strategy and conviction.
A few days ago, during the Double Ace Podcast, Norman Hakim shared his experience of attending a RichWorks programme for the first time. He admitted he was surprised when participants shouted the word “SWITCH.” To many, it may have seemed like just another activity, but to me it represents something much more meaningful. It is a conscious decision to change our state of mind, to stop dwelling on obstacles and start looking for opportunities, to replace fear with faith, and to approach challenges with a renewed sense of purpose.
After more than 18 years of mentoring entrepreneurs, I have observed that the founders who continue to grow are rarely those blessed with the easiest market conditions. Instead, they are the ones who refuse to let external circumstances dictate how they think, lead and act. They continue making decisions based on sound strategy, disciplined execution and an unwavering belief that every challenge carries within it an opportunity to grow.
As Muslims, we are reminded through a profound Hadith Qudsi that Allah says, “I am as My servant thinks of Me.” The more I reflect on this hadith, the more I realise that our assumptions are never just thoughts. They shape our prayers, influence our decisions and ultimately determine the direction our lives and businesses take.
So, at 35,000 feet above the ground, I was not simply rewriting my goals for Q3. I was renewing my belief. Whatever the economic outlook may be, my responsibility remains the same: to keep learning, to keep serving, to continue mentoring others, to improve myself every day and, above all, to maintain positive expectations of Allah while striving with sincerity and excellence.
I have come to believe that while economic conditions may influence the journey of a business, they should never determine its destination. Clarity of purpose, the courage to act and unwavering trust in Allah SWT will always carry us further than fear ever will.
Datuk Wira