Technopreneur Melvin Yuan’s obsession with self-optimisation doesn’t stem from Silicon Valley’s biohacking brinkmanship or the need to tame a busy schedule, but from a desire to maximise potential and contribution to others and communities, he tells Grace Tay
It’s a digital nomad’s stone stack of sorts: MacBook at the base, a mobile phone, notebook and small leather pencil case centred atop. It’s Melvin Yuan’s desktop arrangement when off work – his mobile phone deliberately out of sight under the navy-blue notebook, so he can focus on a conversation he’s having, such as ours when we meet up at Straits Clan.
The technopreneur, who recently returned to Singapore from a yearlong sabbatical spent in Melbourne, is now working “in stealth mode” on his next start-up. Technically, the 42-year-old could be enjoying an early retirement following the 2013 acquisition of indoor positioning systems company YFind Technologies, which he co-founded, by an American company, and pickings from past business and investments. “But I don’t have enough to start a micronation – a concept I’m fascinated by – and to do everything I want to do or build everything I want to build, so that keeps me motivated to stay on in business.”
The self-professed geek is also a “productivity freak – I’ve been reading books on productivity and self-development since I was 12, when my dad bought me Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I know that chronological time is finite. People say time is money. I say time is life. Time is more valuable than money, and because of that, I made time one of my most important fields of study.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2019 من Prestige Singapore.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2019 من Prestige Singapore.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Double Take
Although somewhat dismissed by the contemporary art world as gimmicky, works that incorporate optical illusions remain immensely popular with the general public. Perhaps it speaks to our inherent need for something slightly magical in our everyday lives.
Plugged Into Wealth
Fintech advocate Carney Mak is bullish on disruptive technologies, but preaches deep understanding of business models before diving in.
Going for Green
SIMON ROGAN's visionary approach of cooking in tune with nature is inspiring chefs in Asia to be more sustainable.
TABLES TURNED
They could have their pick of the best schools, but more young super achievers from Asia are going to a hotel academy a choice they believe opens up more doors.
PRECIOUS HISTORY
Cleef Arpel TACHA VASSILTCHIKOV res her insights the jewellery house Peers preserving its patrimony and Heritage.
MARKS OF DISTINCTION
A clasp-free necklace that could be easily put on by the wearer, without assistance.
Colours of the Season
Thanks to K-pop stars, analysing colours to personalise make-up has surged, with theslategs service available from the boutique of Korean. brity make-up artist JUNG SAEM MOOL.
MAKING OF AN OPUS
In Hermes’ Barénia, in-house perfumer CHRISTINE NAGEL has realised a decade-long dream that harks back to her childhood stories.
Everywhere Care
Serums from homegrown skincare brand Blé de Fonty target more than just the face.
Pucker Up
Lip moisturisers are essential in Singapore’s air-conditioned environment. We share our personal favourites and introduce lip care that go the distance.