By Paul Yung
Hello August! The month where the durians are ripe, the school holidays are finally behind us and Merdeka is right around the corner. What better time than now to talk about something close to my heart, your hidden superpowers.
Yes, you heard me. You have superpowers. No, I’m not talking about flying or shooting lasers from your eyes, unless you’re hiding something from the Avengers. I’m talking about the kind of superpower that makes life meaningful, gives you purpose, and maybe even makes you money, your edge, your ikigai, your thing.
The problem is, most of us don’t know what our superpowers are. And that’s normal! When we were kids, we were told we could be anything, astronaut, doctor, nasi lemak taster. But as adults, we realise that we can’t be everything. Trust me, I’ve tried the nasi lemak thing. Didn’t work out.
The truth is, we all have something that comes easier to us than it does to others. Something we enjoy doing that others might find boring, scary, or downright exhausting. That’s your clue. Your superpower isn’t necessarily something flashy, it could be listening deeply, staying calm in chaos, or being ridiculously organised.
But here’s the catch, you don’t find your superpower by sitting around and waiting for it to appear like a Marvel movie post-credit scene. You’ve got to test yourself. Try new things. Challenge your brain. Say yes to scary opportunities. Fall flat on your face sometimes and pick yourself right back up.
Think of it like going to the gym. You don’t know if you’re good at deadlifts, boxing, or Zumba until you actually try them. It’s the same with life. The more you test, the clearer your niche becomes. Over time, the fog lifts and you go, “Ahh… this is what I’m built for.”
For me, it took 10 years to discover and label my own superpower. Want to know what it is?
I have this weird ability to spot what someone’s strength is, sometimes before they even know it themselves. I can see their potential like some HR X-ray machine. But I don’t just see it, I believe in it. I believe in them. And I build around that.
Turns out, that belief is contagious. When you tell someone what they’re great at, and say it with conviction, something unlocks inside them. Confidence, clarity, courage. Suddenly, they step into their own superpower, and the whole company gets stronger.
That’s my ikigai. That’s how I get to do what I love and make a living from it. And I believe you can too.
So, what about you?
What are you doing that feels strangely natural while others struggle with it?
What do people always come to you for?
What makes time fly when you’re doing it?
Don’t let those questions go unanswered. It would be a tragedy, like having a Ferrari and never learning to drive. We’re all born with something special. But it’s on us to find it, sharpen it, and share it with the world.
And yes, your superpower can make you rich. But more importantly, it can make you fulfilled. Joyful. Alive. That’s what life is really about, right?
So, this August, I challenge you: test yourself. Say yes to something you usually avoid. Reflect on what gives you energy. Ask people what they see in you. Try. Fail. Learn. Repeat.
Eventually, you’ll find your own version of magic. And once you do, don’t keep it a secret. Share it boldly, humbly, and often.
Happy August, and Happy Merdeka Day. May you find your superpower, and use it for good!
