Karma Marketing continues to serve as a growing safe space for Southeast Asian marketers to nurture their professional well-being.
We usually begin every year with an ideology or framework as anchor to our journey over the months. This year was about “sadhana”, inspired by the “journey of an aspirant”, which refers to the personal and developmental path taken by someone who is seeking to achieve a specific goal or to attain a certain level of knowledge, skill, self-actualization or ‘the peak experience’.
The term “journey of an aspirant” refers to the personal and developmental path taken by someone who is earnestly seeking to achieve a specific goal or to attain a certain level of knowledge, skill, self-actualization or ‘the peak experience’. We’re drawing inspiration from the concept of Sadhana, not in its spiritual essence, but in its principles of daily practice, discipline, consistency, and concentration. Our approach embraces the idea of a regular, dedicated, and disciplined approach to cultivate steady, persistent effort in everything we do. This ensures that our actions, thoughts, and communications are aligned with our vision and goals.
The first principle, Sadhana, embodies the essence of daily spiritual practice. It’s about disciplined dedication and the surrender of ego. Sadhana represents any practice undertaken with awareness and the intent of growth; it’s a solitary pursuit, focused on the individual’s journey.
The second concept, Abhyasa, emphasizes the need for persistent effort. It’s about cultivating practices in actions, speech, and thoughts that foster stable tranquility. This concept is closely tied with Vairagya, which involves an active, systematic approach to exploring life while letting go of attachments, aversions, fears, and false identities that cloud our true, simple selves.
Both Abhyasa and Vairagya center on mindful practice, steering us in the right direction. They teach us to be aware of our attachments, enabling us to continue our inner journey without becoming overwhelmed or distracted by reactions, pains, pleasures, or obstacles along the path.
– Rachel Lai
Our biggest curveball this year, in learning to let go, came when Instagram decided to deactivate and delete our account without any grounds. We spent weeks trying to recover it but eventually chose to see the experience as an opportunity to let go of something no longer meant for us. It also made us realise how much we rely on social media for our communication efforts. The lessons in letting go aren’t just about the act itself but about how we manage our thoughts, actions, and reactions to the outcome. It’s about navigating the effort—before, during, and after—while staying balanced through both the good and the bad. So, ask yourself:
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year filled with meaningful collaborations and conversations. Through our content pieces, we’ve continued to showcase the expertise of both our long-standing and new clients, highlighting their innovative strategies, fresh insights, and honest approaches to tackling challenges in marketing and business.
On a positive note, we are grateful for the opportunity to listen to and share the heartfelt stories of our Karma Marketing Sages—humans who inspire us from all walks of life. They opened up about their personal journeys toward professional well-being, offering us all a source of learning and inspiration.These stories have been a source of learning and inspiration for us all.
Here are a few standout conversations from 2024:
- Niney Chong on Leading From The Heart: Vulnerability At Work
- Megan Miao on The Connection Between Finding Purpose & Growth Mindset
- Divya Chandragesan on Self-Relationship Dynamics and the Journey to Alignment
- Munyee Lau on Balancing Structure & Flexibility in Discipline
- Reuben Ch’ng on Building Mastery Mindset Through Discipline & Adaptability
In April, we co-hosted a Work-Life Event: Balancing Well-Being and Performance in Today’s Work Culture at the serene Damai Studio in Kuala Lumpur. In partnership with FutureLab, a social enterprise, and On The Rise, an all-women’s organization, we brought together Southeast Asian leaders to reflect on and redefine workplace culture. We often get caught up in the personas we wear at work—polished, poised, and always “on.” At our first gathering in Kuala Lumpur, we invited marketers and leaders to step out of these professional identities and take a moment to reconnect with themselves.
The half-day program was designed to invite both intellectual curiosity and inward introspection. With 5 insightful speakers and 43 engaged attendees, the event became a meaningful exploration of connection-driven work environments, humanistic leadership, and practical success metrics. Despite the rainy afternoon, the calm, welcoming atmosphere of Damai Studio provided the perfect sanctuary for deep conversations and shared learning.
We are humbled by those who joined us for our first gathering in Kuala Lumpur. Your presence and openness transformed it from just an event into a milestone in creating a platform for marketers and leaders to step out of their professional personas, introspect, and realign with their inner world.
This year has been a testament that growth isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about pausing, reflecting, and returning to what’s real. As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to fostering a safe space for marketers to grow, learn, and practice giving. Here’s to another year of possibilities 🌟
With gratitude,
Karma Marketing team