Growth often requires release. In this edition of Five Takes, five visionaries reflect on what they had to let go of in order to move forward — whether it was fear, pride, expectations, or even parts of their former identity. Their honest reflections reveal that progress is not only about gaining more, but about having the courage to release what no longer serves us.
Question: What’s something you had to let go of to move forward?
“I think that after working for 10 to 15 years, you develop habits and patterns, and consider yourself a veteran or subject matter expert. It is important to drop all this in order to gain a fresh perspective, reinvent yourself, move forward, and stay relevant in your industry. In short, let go of pride and stay humble and hungry.” – Adrian Goh, director of Inter Rice Asia.
“Two things I had to let go of when I decided to become an entrepreneur were income stability and the comfort of my old identity — research engineer, scholar, PhD in chemistry.” – Hong Yiying, founder of Spartans Boxing Club Balestier.
“One thing I had to let go of to move forward was the need for certainty before taking action. Earlier in my career, I felt that every step had to be fully calculated and safe. But entrepreneurship and innovation do not work that way. Especially in new sectors like renewable energy, the path is rarely clear. I had to learn to move forward with conviction, even when the outcome was not guaranteed, and trust that with continuous learning, the right people, and persistence, clarity would come along the journey.” – Douglas Ng, founder of Synergy Pacific Holdings.
“To move forward in life, I had to let go of several things that were holding me back. These included the fear of failure, attachment to identities and ego, and resentment from past memories. I also had to stop waiting for the perfect time to start something, which often led to procrastination. Most importantly, I had to overcome aimlessness by setting clear goals and direction for myself.” – Tian Yue, singer and event host.
“To move forward and truly empower the organisations I serve, I had to let go of the “Big Bang” mentality — the belief that growth must be explosive to be successful. Over 45 years across Asia Pacific, I have seen how chasing rapid results often leads to failure when the foundation is not ready. By releasing the pressure for instant expansion, I embraced a stage by stage approach that focuses on financial stability and building a strong company culture. I believe people are the true engine of growth, and when you care for your team and give them a sense of belonging, their loyalty becomes a company’s greatest advantage.” – Gordon Liew, business consultant and financial adviser.
