By Paul Yung
This year has been one of deep reflection for me. After nine consecutive years of growth, 2025 became a year of consolidation, one that tested my leadership, my patience, and my priorities. It reminded me that legacy is not built in the good times; it’s forged in the challenging ones.
Through every up and down, I’ve learned three powerful lessons that will stay with me for life. The first is to only take criticism from people we’d be willing to switch places with, and to learn to accept love and praise without brushing it aside. So many of us deflect compliments with awkward laughter or self-deprecation, when they are gifts of appreciation. Learning to receive is as important as learning to give.
The second lesson was to stop living in the past. It’s tempting to replay our greatest hits, to relive our yesteryear victories. But when we cling to past success, we risk becoming spectators in our own lives. The glory days are meant to remind us of what’s possible, not to define who we are today. I’ve learned to use those memories as fuel to create something even better, to build on the brand and legacy that have been years in the making.
And finally, I’ve learned that consistency beats motivation. Success is not the result of bursts of inspiration, but of quiet, disciplined effort, small wins that compound over time. Motivation is fleeting; consistency is forever.
One of the most touching moments of the year that reminded me that what we do truly matters came during our annual donations to Cheshire Home and the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.
The President of Cheshire Home teared up when she told us that our support now covers 90% of the home’s operating expenses.
NCSM’s President reminded me that we’ve been supporting children’s cancer for ten years. In that moment, I realised how easily we can get caught chasing numbers, growth, and profit, forgetting the human stories behind it all.
That day reminded me that giving back isn’t just an act of charity, it’s an act of gratitude.
On the home front, my children continue to be my greatest teachers. They’re growing up too fast, and every day I’m reminded that being a father is the ultimate privilege. Those 30 minutes of undivided attention, no phone, no distractions, just presence, are the most valuable moments of my day.
Watching them laugh, learn, and grow doesn’t just fill my heart; it heals my inner child.
I grew up in a rougher time and nurturing them with love and patience feels like rewriting my own story.
I’ve also learned the value of connections, choosing who to keep close, and who to let go. Life is too short to be surrounded by negativity.
The people I’ve kept around me this year, my incredible wife Priscilla, my family, my all-stars at PM International, have filled my life with love, strength, and purpose. Through the year’s challenges, they stood by me, fought alongside me, and reminded me that leadership isn’t about standing above others; it’s about standing together.
This was not an easy year. With inflation, a weaker economy, and global uncertainty, it would’ve been easy to take the profit-first route. But I’ve always believed that choosing people over profit is simply the right thing to do. We kept our prices stable so more people could enjoy our products. We maintained our events and travel incentives for our distributors, and we rewarded our team with strong bonuses and increments.
Because when times are hard, that’s when loyalty, courage, and heart matter most.
At the same time, we didn’t stay still. We evolved. We embraced AI, strengthened our social media presence, trained our teams to be the best in class, renovated our HQ, opened a new branch in Johor Bahru, and set the foundation for the next chapter of growth. It was a year of regrouping, recalibrating, and readying ourselves to dominate 2026.
To the readers of SJ Echo, I want to leave you with this: take stock of your blessings. Remember that the impact you leave on the people who believe in you is far more lasting than any title or trophy. We are all community leaders in our own way, and the best way to lead is by example, by being kind, grateful, and consistent in everything we do.
Legacy isn’t about what we own; it’s about what we give, how we love, and how we make others feel. It’s what people will say when we’re not in the room, and what they’ll remember long after we’re gone.
Life is short. Let’s make it a good one.
Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season, Merry Christmas to those celebrating, and a joyful, purposeful start to 2026. Let’s finish the year strong, together.
