Brand Building Expert, Ala Ho

1. Don’t be afraid to lean in

If your curiosity is pulling you toward something—even if it feels totally unrelated to what you’re doing right now—don’t be afraid to follow it. Listen to that curiosity and explore it. Don’t worry about going down that rabbit hole.

We often brush off our curiosity, thinking trying something new might be a waste of time. But there’s a reason we’re curious about certain things.

You’re gathering puzzle pieces, picking up new perspectives. Even if they seem random at first, the dots always seem to connect eventually. And those connections will make you stand out because they reflect YOUR curiosities, YOUR experiences, and YOUR timing. Things fall into place when we let them.

And this is what makes us human—the curiosity, the ability to take knowledge from one area and apply it to another, and connect the dots.

Worried about AI? Maybe this is the antidote.

2. Treat design as strategy

Contrary to popular belief, design doesn’t just decorate the world; it builds it.

Take a moment to look around you. From your laptop screen to the keyboard, right down to the chair you’re sitting in—everything you see is designed. Someone thoughtfully created it, and it’s influencing your life in ways you might not even realise.

Ironically, design is often the overlooked powerhouse, dismissed as just ‘I like’ or ‘I don’t like the way it looks.’

But it’s so much more than that, it shapes your feelings, your behaviour, and your habits. Think about brushing your teeth. It’s second nature now, but someone designed that experience—the two-minute timer, the way you hold your toothbrush, and even how you apply toothpaste. Imagine how different it could be with a different design.

The most successful companies and brands don’t just understand the power of design—they harness it. And so can you by shifting your thinking from “Design is aesthetics” to “Design is strategy”. It’s one of the most transformative assets you can have. So, step into the role of a creator, a future builder. Embrace design. Don’t underestimate its impact, because the world we live in is built on it.

3. Purpose is an attitude

I sometimes catch myself talking to my mom on the phone while multitasking—finishing an email, cleaning the kitchen, and mentally preparing a to-do list for tomorrow. It often feels like I’m trying to do everything at once, hoping that by doing more, I’ll reach my goal faster and fulfill my “purpose.” But then I ask myself, what is my purpose? Surely, it’s not just a one-time goal.
As I reflect, I realise I’m working hard for things like freedom, fulfilment, impact, and time with my loved ones. But wait – aren’t I already doing that? I’m on the phone with my mom right now, but instead of being fully present, I’m distracted, thinking about everything else I still need to do in order to reach my goal of spending more time with her. This doesn’t make sense.

As I’m listening to a podcast with Dr. Alok Kanojia, what he said hit home: “Purpose is an attitude, not a goal.” What does this mean in practice?

When I’m on the phone with my mom →
Purpose: be fully present with her and savour our conversation and connection

When I’m working on a deck →
Purpose: create the most impressive, valuable and convincing deck I can

When I’m cooking →
Purpose: chop like a ninja and cook a dish I’ll be drooling over

Every moment becomes intentional.
For all the high-performers out there, I hope this shift in perspective helps you too.