02-14. There is a room on the second floor of the Unicorn Building, if you walked past it, you would probably mistake it for just another office.
White tables. A sole Bloomberg Terminal humming quietly in the corner. Coffee cups that never seemed to stay empty for very long. Wires snaking across desks. Half-finished company one-pagers left open on someone’s laptop screen. A whiteboard carrying ideas that would (hopefully) translate into alpha-generating investment theses.
To most people, it was Unit 02-14. To me, however, it slowly became something different. A place where I would find curiosity if it were to have an address.
Every Monday and Friday, the team and I gathered for training sessions. Actually, calling it ‘training’ almost feels misleading to me now. I had expected PPT slides and structured lessons coming my way. Instead, I got the opportunity to participate in such rich conversations. One moment, Julian, Senior Investment Lead, would be sharing why, when AI can think but not want, the questions you ask become the last thing that’s scarce. Before I had even finished writing down the point and how I should learn from it, we were somehow talking about Nietzsche. The next would be about Hyperliquid and Bitcoin. Then AI. Then fitness and health philosophies. Then Mongolia and Julian’s travel experience there. These conversations simply flowed because every subject somehow or the other connected back to the central question which was the pattern I saw emerging: How do thoughtful and curious people think?
Julian spent more than two decades as an institutional portfolio manager. That experience certainly shined. But what grounded all of us interns more was that his curiosity has survived success. He still asked questions. Like curious kids do. Still experimented with new AI tools before most people had heard of them. Still became excited over obscure market structures. Still shared travel photographs with the same enthusiasm as significant investment charts. These served as poignant reminders to me. To travel while we’re still in the capacity to explore fully. To collect and cherish experiences before significant responsibilities come our way. He once told us that looking back, time has become more valuable than money. And this sentence stayed with me since then.
On the contrary, Mr Seow Kek Wee, our Chief Investment Officer, taught differently. Given that Julian expanded the way we thought, Mr Seow quietly shaped the way we behaved and conducted ourselves. His lessons arrived in the most ordinary of moments. One evening, I admitted that I hadn’t properly documented a process another colleague had explained. It was an honest mistake. His response was simple. Far from what I’d expected. “Always assume people will only teach you once. Write things down. Ask questions immediately, and don’t rely on memory.” I found it difficult to believe that he wasn’t angered or annoyed. But gave me advice about taking complete responsibility, even in that moment. So, the assumption was that one’s future competence is one’s own responsibility. And that nobody owes one a second explanation. I think about that life lesson surprisingly often.
Even the office itself developed its own personality. There was always somebody presenting. Somebody wrestling with Bloomberg. Somebody trying to finish one more one-pager before the day ended. Somebody inevitably asking, ‘Are you done using Bloomberg?’. The Bloomberg Terminal quickly rose to governing significant authority over us interns. Thomas and Lincoln both somehow possessed an almost supernatural ability to already be using it whenever anyone else on the team needed it. It became an office joke that Thomas even monopolized it. But the Bloomberg Booking Sheet prevented Bloomberg diplomacy from Bloomberg warfare. Also, on another note, this could sound hopelessly nerdy to everyone else outside 02-14 but starting to use ASKB Bloomberg AI changed our morning workflow almost overnight. News summaries and market outlooks became much sharper, and prompt engineering quietly became another skill. Inside 02-14, this felt like discovering electricity.
Now, on the team. It seemed to always actively invest in sharing rather than gatekeeping knowledge. Every presentation or conversation invited inclusion, and of course, questions. Well, when I later asked them about their experience a common thread emerged despite all of us covering different sectors. So, here it is, in their own words:
Gracie (Investment Research Analyst, Sector: Financials): I truly felt honored to be able to work under the guidance of Julian and Kek Wee! From the weekly meetings to sharing of opinions on company news from various sectors, I have absorbed a lot of precious knowledge coming from their expertise. Being able to receive feedback from them directly has also been very helpful whenever I encounter difficulties in completing my tasks, especially since the team has made it a conducive environment to discuss thoughts and voice questions!
Thomas (Investment Research Analyst, Sector: Industrials): I really appreciate the training I’ve received under Julian and Kek Wee, whose guidance has shaped both my skills and my way of thinking. Their patience in explaining not just the method but also the rationale behind each decision has given me a foundation I continue to build on every day. They challenged me to think more rigorously, held me to a higher standard, and generously shared hard-won lessons that would have taken me years to learn on my own. I will always be thankful for their investment in my growth.
Radu (Investment Research Analyst, Sector: Healthcare): I have learned an incredible amount from both Julian and Kek Wee over the past two months. Through their mentorship, I’ve been able to take my high-level interest in the stock market and translate it into tangible, rigorous investment theses that can be directly applied in practice. It is rare to find mentors who are willing to break down complex market dynamics step-by-step, but their patience and continuous guidance have been invaluable. They are actively molding me into a more confident professional, and I feel vastly more prepared to enter the finance workforce thanks to their support.
Aanya (Investment Research Analyst, Sector: Consumer Staples): A typical day in the office started with catching up on the latest Bloomberg updates before diving into work, with plenty of learning along the way. Between Julian’s post-meeting stories, coffee runs to PLQ, Jeriel’s witty remarks, and Pamela dropping by, it was these little moments and people that made every day enjoyable.
Remarkably similar conclusions, no? Well, the real curriculum was never sector-specific but a way of thinking for all of us. People sometimes describe investing as learning to understand companies. I beg to differ that’s true anymore. At least to me. Companies are simply collections of people, and markets collections of decisions. Every investment thesis hence depends upon understanding how human beings behave under uncertainty. Perhaps that’s why our conversations so often wandered beyond finance. To become a better investor, one must first become a better observer of oneself, of trade-offs, of people. Overall, 02-14 and its people simply made growing feel like the most natural aspect of my journey at Unicorn.
To my fellow associates (referring to future associates)
Hi, I am Jewel, an intern, or as our mentors like to call it – an associate. On behalf of the other 26 interns, let me introduce us to you.
To date, each of us has spent on average 50 days (& counting) with Unicorn, which translates to 27,000 minutes (working). Not long, perhaps, but enough to open us to countless possibilities we hadn’t considered, forge bonds we didn’t see coming, create memories we never imagined and gain knowledge that changed us for the better.
Here’s how 50 days at Unicorn looks like.
‘Day 1’
11th May marked the start of my Summer at Unicorn. I remember arriving at Kampung Private Club to a room full of people in sharp black suits. Fresh out of A-Levels, in a t-shirt and pleated pants, I did feel that bit intimidated… The welcome session that followed however, quickly lifted up the atmosphere. Everyone was so friendly, chatty, and genuinely welcoming, my nervousness soon gave away to excitement.
I never expected that here, everyday, everyone would have smiles on their faces, and never knew that the warmth between people you meet in the workplace can run deep enough to feel like family.
‘The Exponential Learning’
Each week, we have multiple training sessions covering topics ranging from risk management to insurance planning. We were also each assigned a mentor who guided us, taught us, and answered all our burning questions. In corporate terms, your mentor is actually your “department supervisor” though the word “supervisor” hardly captures the warmth they brought to the role.
The Monday morning training sessions was where almost the whole company came together. As we sat alongside Family Wealth Consultants, absorbing not just what they said, but how they said it, and celebrating the small milestones with them. I also remember the first time the Family Wealth Consultants looked over at us- a cluster of 27 newcomers occupying a corner of the room, with big eyes. But with a warm smirk too. We were new, and we knew it. But we were welcome, and we knew that too.
And after many of these training sessions, I noticed that I was reflecting more deeply. Whether it was about who I was, what I wanted, or the kind of people I hope to become, self-discovery was a natural side effect of being here.
One of the sessions I’ll carry for a long time was by Xiaoqing. She walked us through personality types and how to understand and work with people who think and communicate differently from us. At first, it sounded like the kind of thing I would have brushed off, but today, it has changed how I approached conversations, presentations and disagreements.
Reading is also a consistent part of our experience. From Think and Grow Rich, to The Intelligent Investor and Di Zi Gui. Speaking of which; Di Zi Gui instilled values that were simple, yet reminded us of many small acts of courtesy and discipline that we had unknowingly overlooked. As William constantly reminds us, it is important that in life’s journey, we should never forget to be grateful for our roots. While many lessons came from books, many more came from the people here.
‘Work’
Our work dived into wealth protection and product comparisons, wealth planning for actual investor’s case studies, cashflow analysis, and equities portfolio research, with the idea of financial independence at the core. Tight deadlines and the pressure of proposals and presentations also meant that we were held to the standard of Family Wealth Consultants, not just students.
As a mentee under Xiaoqing, my responsibilities also included article writing, podcast marketing, and property investment research. Each taught me something different; how to communicate ideas and think beyond numbers.
But wait up, during all this work, we had the privilege to hear Ed Sheeren’s Hit ‘Eyes Closed’ play in the background.
‘Beyond’
Just as a family needs its reunion dinner, Unicorn makes sure we come together regularly. There were Johor Bahru get-together trips, monthly reunion dinners, and annual company events like the Annual Growth Celebration and Annual General Meeting (AGM)… and I’ll casually mention that the Annual Growth Celebration was my first ever karaoke experience!
Plus countless other moments, too many to list here.
What I’m Taking With Me
People often ask is a job in finance fast-paced? Yes, I would say – time flies by super fast, but you’ll fall in love with Unicorn even faster and grow with it without even realising. Then one day you’ll look back at who you were on Day 1, just like how I did in the t-shirt and the pleated pants, and realized the distance I had quietly covered.
I came in as an intern. I leave as someone who has had her values tested, her perspective widened, and her sense of purpose sharpened. This experience has not only given me clarity on the path I hope to take, but also the confidence to take it. Finance was the curriculum, Family was something I earned, and Life Experiences were the most memorable lessons I took with me. For my path ahead, I learnt to better appreciate every second with any people I meet, open up myself a lot more, and understand how to treat people like family.
At Unicorn, you don’t just climb your own ladder, you actually build it from scratch too, alongside people who will root for you at every rung.
To you, the future associate reading this: Arrive with an open mind, come serious and I assure that you will leave with more than you ever thought possible. All the best on your journey!
A special shout out to Xiaoqing, William, Adi, Chong Chin, and Carol. Thank you for the warmth, love, and fun you brought to this summer!
Signing off,
Jewel
On behalf of the Interns of Summer 2026
PS: We have Jun Yi and Kai Ze signing on, just got the news yesterday, and more to come too!!
Walking along Geylang, you would encounter shophouses spanning from Early, First Transitional, Late, Second Transitional to Art Deco styles which demonstrate the range of building styles spanning the 1910s to the 1950s. The columns and pilasters, repeated at steady intervals, give the streetscape a rhythm that feels both historical and alive.
These shophouses first came about due to the practical need to serve residents, some who owned plantations, to run businesses on the ground floor and live above.
Each culture that came left its unique imprint. For instance,
– Malay influence lives on in the wooden fretwork; a hallmark of vernacular shophouse design across the Malay Archipelago.
– Peranakan flair shows up in the colourful European tiles adorning the front walls.
– Chinese craftsmanship reveals itself in the V-shaped clay roof tiles and intricate three-dimensional plaster reliefs on the facades.
– European touches come through in the louvred French windows, glazed fanlights, and neoclassical cornice work.
Kampung has kept many of these original architectural features.
Exterior
The party walls dividing Kampung from its neighbouring unit serves as the
building’s principal load-bearing structures, protruding approximately 30cm above the roofline in a subtle but deliberate architectural gesture.
Completing the facade are light blue, timber-framed French casement windows. Simple in form, they carry a quiet elegance that grounds the building’s overall character.
Interior
Step inside and dual-toned patterned floor tiles set the tone, while light blue
collapsible gates fitted with an old-fashioned lock mechanism add a touch of nostalgia.
Look up and the building reveals its full structural logic; main beams, secondary
beams, floorboards, and rafters work in unison overhead to support the second
floor. Polished hardwood staircases with timber handrails lead the way up.
At the rear lies courtyards that serve as a light and ventilation well, connecting the
enclosed interior to the open sky.
And if you’re wondering where my go-to spot in Kampung is … it’s actually the communal tables on level 1! I’ll confess, a big reason is because I have my lunch there pretty much every day, prepared by our long residing day resident, private chef 小不点. Lunchtime is where architecture plays out and shines as an additional ingredient. The courtyard draws heat upwards, the marble-lined tables keep temperatures cool, and the open gate lets light and wind move freely through the meal. All of it shapes the pace of lunch, the quality of the conversations, and the atmosphere of the hour.
I like to say: ‘though architecture does not flavour food, it flavours the person eating it’.
Here, it feels like a getaway, but acts like a get-together.
1. Geylang, Then vs Now (The Smart Local, 2023) https://thesmartlocal.com/read/geylangsingapore-then-and-now/
2. About Geylang (URA)
https://www.ura.gov.sg/ConservationPortal/Explore/History?bldgid=GYLG
3. Geylang (NLB)
https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=aa3343ff-a6b1-4754-aeb16130d18bec08
4. Kampung Private Club (Unicorn)
https://unicorn.sg/map-location/kampung-privateclub/
Starting of my day with a warm cup of Teh from Lorong 41, I breached into the world of unfamiliarity as I embarked my journey as an intern with the Unicorn family. As I made my way towards Unicorn ‘Kampung’, with my cup in one hand and kaya toast in the other, I discovered unexpectedly that the “office” looked nothing like one. The pressure was alleviated almost instantly as the decorum immediately caught my eye. Models of supercars, antique watches, glasses and furniture brought the perfect blend of vintage and eloquence, bringing a sense of nostalgia to an environment I have never even visited before.
As I approached the table with uncertainty, I was greeted with the warm smiles of the fellow interns and the mentor, William. I would come to know this session as ‘Di Zi Gui’, focusing on personal development. Feeling lost, a fellow intern managed to pick up my unsettled demeanor and guided me through the session with utmost care. This session was a welcome surprise, as the company encouraged me to reflect upon myself and share with confidence in an environment without judgement.
Then came the lessons. Despite a cursory understanding of the finance industry, the mentors patiently guided me step by step through a plethora of financial principles. Furthermore, the sessions were conducted in a small group, making the sessions conducive and really felt like the mentors got to know me as a person rather than just a number in a classroom. For instance, a mentor, Adi, is focused on communication and explores that first-hand, by asking us about our interests in this industry. He subsequently uses our interests (such as investments) as conversation topics to stress the imperativeness of communication techniques, such as pacing and leading. As such, lessons are significantly more enjoyable, and I regard it more as a hangout session instead. Time flies by when you’re having fun!
If Mother Earth was a person, Xiaoqing would be the first that comes to mind. Constantly showing concern and care about our wellbeing, Xiaoqing would frequently check up on us and is receptive to feedback about our learning experience here with the Unicorn family. After gathering our feedback, she would tailor our schedules to cater to our needs and interests. Despite her busy schedule, Xiaoqing goes the extra mile to invite us to events where I’ve gained invaluable experiences and connections. With her unwavering support etched in my memory, I’ll always remain grateful to her.
After my thirst for knowledge was quenched, I was ready for more. I was then presented with the opportunity to apply my knowledge. Previous winner of an internal competition and a steadfast mentor, Chong Chin, assigned me a case study as a guideline, where I started to get a sense of direction. This hands-on approach really helped me grasp a deeper understanding, making me feel like I was a detective solving a case. His critical yet warm feedback brought insight to his fastidious approach, allowing me to carry over these values and newly learnt skills into practice. Getting praised by someone with great attention to detail felt like music to my ears!
As my memorable experience at this internship draws to a close, I fondly recall my little insignificant moments that feel like a lot in retrospect; homely lunch with the Unicorn family, camaraderie built during morning sports sessions, and the valuable learning sessions from the mentors. I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude as this golden opportunity was presented to me. A special shoutout to Alan, who was dedicated to educating us the usage of a plethora of financial instruments. He stepped up with great passion to mentor us in a meticulous manner despite having no obligation to do so. All in all, as I continue as an investor with them, my journey as a friend with Unicorn is far from over.
Your Greatest Investment: Why Health Must Come Before Wealth
Life is a gift, yet so often, we trade our health in pursuit of wealth.
And by the time we realise what we have lost, it costs far more than money to get it back.
Whenever I share health advice with someone, I often hear the same types of resistance:
If these sound familiar, you’re not alone. But here’s what I have learned: the longer we delay, the more we pay.
The Shift Starts in Your 30s
In our 20s, we could get away with a lot: skipping sleep, eating poorly, working non-stop, and still bouncing back. But in our 30s, those invisible cracks start to show.
Fatigue lingers longer. Recovery takes more time. Illness strikes more often. And suddenly, “pretty much okay” is no longer good enough anymore.
In Your 40s? Health Becomes the Main Topic
Talks about cholesterol, back pain, blood pressure, and eyesight changes become common in conversations. Many of us blame it on “age”, as if decline is inevitable. We begin to normalise the aches and tell ourselves it is just part of getting older.
But here’s the truth: Age is not the problem. Inaction is.
Just like inflation silently erodes our wealth, neglect quietly chips away at our health.
Early Detection Saved My Mum, and Our Family
My mum recently went through a health scare. During her very first check-up, doctors detected early-stage cancer.
Because it was caught early, she avoided chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Even then, the total bill from a public hospital (single-bed ward) was over $55,000. This excludes the ongoing costs of diet changes, supplements, transport, lost work opportunities, and the time the family had to reorganise our lives.
And this was an early case. A more advanced diagnosis could easily cost the same as an HDB unit.
The takeaway? Health issues don’t just drain your body, they drain your family’s time, energy, and wealth.
You Don’t Need a Big Commitment. You Just Need to Begin
Forget the idea that improving your health requires overhauling your life overnight. Start small and consistent. Avoid the misconception that consistency is about never missing a day. It is about never quitting altogether.
Consistency is measured by how quickly you get back on track after a mistake.
Let Compounding Work for You and Not Against You
The same way we love the idea of compounding wealth, your health compounds too.
The small choices you make daily, whether good or bad, will grow over time.
So, ask yourself:
Don’t wait for a crisis to remind you of what matters.
Your strongest asset is your body. Start investing in it now.
有个词非常之神奇，叫做“活在当下”。当个人行为没办法战胜理智的情况下，只要我们用上了这个词，似乎所有非理智的行为都可以被合理化，然后就可以光明正大、大大方方地开心一阵子。以下是几个例子：
情境1
A：“你报告写完了吗？明天要交了。”
B：“（继续滑手机）活在当下嘛，现在开心最重要，明天的事明天再说！”
A：“但拖到明天，你是不会感到焦虑吗？”
B：“那就留给明天来焦虑咯，现在就是想休息一下！”
情境2
A：“你最近买了好多东西，信用卡债还清了吗？”
B：“人生苦短！喜欢就买，活在当下啊！”
A：“那下个月账单怎么办？”
B：“管他的，到时候再说！”
情境3
A：“你有没有在存应急基金啊？”
B：“不需要吧，每个月都会领薪水，到时候银行户口里又会有钱了。”
A：“可是如果突然失业或生病怎么办呢？”
B：“想那么多干嘛？活在当下，现在开心就行了！”
情境4
A：“你最近天天出去买醉，这样真的好吗？”
B：“活在当下啊！痛苦有什么用？不如喝酒开心！”
A：“但你是不是没有真正面对分手的感觉……？”
B：“别扫兴！现在快乐就好！”
你、或是周围的朋友，会不会常把“活在当下”挂在嘴边？总觉得人生就过这么一次，希望在年轻气盛的时候尽情享乐，买自己想买的名牌包、上高级餐厅享用美食，到想去的地方旅游，尽可能满足当下的各种想要，“活在当下”。
好一个“活在当下”，非常酷、非常帅气。也许是我个人一向来都循规蹈矩惯了，像这种懒得去管的率性可说是相当吸引人，感觉人生就应该活得这么洒脱，勇敢地做自己，勇敢得想都不用想。
但有些事还是得仔细想想比较好，所有的哲学与智慧也是这样想出来的吧。想想为何当对方冒出“活在当下”的时候，我们会顿时感到哑口无言？想回说“也对，活在当下真棒”，但却又觉得不对劲、不应该。想着毕竟还是别人的人生，人家想要怎么做就怎么做吧。还是就回说：“去活吧，去活在你的当下”？
这不对劲的点在哪里呢？让我们一起来探讨一下，在上面提到的四个情境里究竟发生了什么事，或许可以从中得到一些借鉴。
第一，把本来可以今天完成的报告留给明天，这样看起来好像是对自己在短时间内完成报告的能力非常有自信，但是实际上这样的“活在当下”就是拖延吧。把责任摆一边，现在的开心最重要。第二，尽情地花钱，看到喜欢的东西就买，这应该叫做放纵欲望，只要当下的满足，不要迟来的奖赏。第三，不留积蓄、然后等着下个月发的工资，不为无常做准备，这就是放弃风险管理、放弃长期规划、形同于摆烂。第四，借酒消愁，愁上加愁，不好好面对与处理自己的负面情绪，像这样就真的能解决问题吗？这还是率真的表现吗？或许比较像是逞强，甚至胆怯。
从以上四点，我们似乎可以总结出一个共同点——逃避。
这四个情境中的“活在当下”其实都是在逃避。有什么好逃避的呢？当然是那些自己一直不敢直视的事啦：责任、欲望、规划与情绪。所以嘴上说的是要活“在”当下，实际上，其实是活“出”了当下。因为他们正是利用这个别人管不着的词，逃出了本来应该面对的当下，把事情留给未来。
但不管放在过去、现在、还是未来，不管在哪一个当下，逃避责任、放纵欲望、放弃规划、回避情绪这四件事，从来不会带来什么好事。它们本质上都是消极应对现实的方式，极少带来积极的结果。
逃避带来的最坏结果，是把人带到死循环。今天逃避的责任累积到明天，压力更大，就更想逃；放纵的欲望得到满足后，空虚感更强烈，需要满足更大的欲望来填补；缺乏规划的结果，就是到处起火，这样我们只能一直处在不断救火的状态，更加没有长期规划的时间与空间；压抑的情绪得不到抒发，进而影响身心健康，产生更多负面情绪，健康继续恶化。
该面对的总有一天还是要面对的，逃到最后只会必“死”无疑。所以与其说“活在当下”，我们甚至可以大胆地说，逃避的当下，就是“死在当下”。
如何证明一个人活着呢？
戏剧里面我们常看到，当有人躺在地上生死未知，我们可以将手指凑近他的鼻子，看看是否还有呼吸。呼吸是个进行式的动词，当然不能只有一呼一吸，要持续不断地呼吸才算。活着就是这样，不会只在一个当下活着，要在每个当下持续不断的活着，才算是真活着。有时候我们把“活”当做理所当然了，自然地把重点落在“当下”。可是，把“活”给持续不断地在每个当下活出来，那才是真正的“活在当下”啊。所以我们还是用老老实实的行动来证明自己活着吧。
要怎样才能持续不断地活在每一个当下？
回答这个问题之前，先来说说看什么是自由？自由就是可以不顾一切地为所欲为吗？显然不是。它是在法律、道德规范下，在不影响他人自由的前提下，能做的自主决策与行动。这定义下的自由才能让所有人都自由自在地生活，并且和谐共处。
同样的，你我都希望能够自由自在地享乐，但这并代表我们能恣意妄为。所有的行动应该要在不影响明天、后天、大后天都能享乐的前提下才好执行。如果我们能让今天的快乐去滋养明天的快乐，这样的每一天、每时每刻的我们才能“活在当下”，持续不断地活得开心、自在。
所以，为了明天也能和朋友或同事有良好的关系，今天相处的矛盾与摩擦，是不是能用和平的方式来解决？还是就不管这么多，先发个脾气逞一时之快再说？
为了明天也能健健康康地生活，今天是不是该注意饮食，均衡摄取需要的营养？一场大鱼大肉之后，是不是要考虑做做运动、消耗卡路里，抑或下一餐简单地吃份沙拉来平衡一下？
为了能够轻轻松松地在期限内完成工作项目，是不是该好好安排每一天的工作进程？还是先放一边，最后才来赶进度？
为了明年也能开开心心地出国旅游，今年的旅行是不是还要超出预算？还是可以把一些饮食、住宿的消费降低，让经济负担少一些？
投资，是为了让我们未来不被温水煮青蛙的通货膨胀来影响我们享乐；保险，也是为了在突入其来的意外或疾病来临时，让我们可以继续保持生活品质。把部分资金放在这些理财工具上或许会让我们少了一些资源去吃喝玩乐，但如果现在就大肆的花钱、不理财，不也是延迟痛苦吗？
活在当下，就是不在乎过去、也不焦虑未来，好好地活在当前这个时刻。如果你还在乎过去，那就请好好地正视和接受过去。可以试着写下或倾诉心中的感受，承认它们的存在。我们可以从过去中尽可能地接收能让自己成长的养分，然后好好地放下这担，不让它继续成为未来的负担。如果你正在焦虑未来，那就做好准备；万全的准备就是应对未知未来的最佳方法。例如你在筹办一场户外活动，与其担心活动期间会不会下雨，不如早早制定B计划，看看是否可以在下雨的时候赶紧换到室内场地，或是为每位参与者准备雨具等等，这些都是可以在未来还没到来前准备好的。
过去的每一个决定，都将我们带至此时此地，而我们也完全有能力去掌控它，活在当下。愿我们都能继续保持清醒、自觉的生活姿态，去迎接一样精彩的下一个当下。
有个词非常之神奇，叫做“活在当下”。当个人行为没办法战胜理智的情况下，只要我们用上了这个词，似乎所有非理智的行为都可以被合理化，然后就可以光明正大、大大方方地开心一阵子。以下是几个例子：
情境1
A：“你报告写完了吗？明天要交了。”
B：“（继续滑手机）活在当下嘛，现在开心最重要，明天的事明天再说！”
A：“但拖到明天，你是不会感到焦虑吗？”
B：“那就留给明天来焦虑咯，现在就是想休息一下！”
情境2
A：“你最近买了好多东西，信用卡债还清了吗？”
B：“人生苦短！喜欢就买，活在当下啊！”
A：“那下个月账单怎么办？”
B：“管他的，到时候再说！”
情境3
A：“你有没有在存应急基金啊？”
B：“不需要吧，每个月都会领薪水，到时候银行户口里又会有钱了。”
A：“可是如果突然失业或生病怎么办呢？”
B：“想那么多干嘛？活在当下，现在开心就行了！”
情境4
A：“你最近天天出去买醉，这样真的好吗？”
B：“活在当下啊！痛苦有什么用？不如喝酒开心！”
A：“但你是不是没有真正面对分手的感觉……？”
B：“别扫兴！现在快乐就好！”
你、或是周围的朋友，会不会常把“活在当下”挂在嘴边？总觉得人生就过这么一次，希望在年轻气盛的时候尽情享乐，买自己想买的名牌包、上高级餐厅享用美食，到想去的地方旅游，尽可能满足当下的各种想要，“活在当下”。
好一个“活在当下”，非常酷、非常帅气。也许是我个人一向来都循规蹈矩惯了，像这种懒得去管的率性可说是相当吸引人，感觉人生就应该活得这么洒脱，勇敢地做自己，勇敢得想都不用想。
但有些事还是得仔细想想比较好，所有的哲学与智慧也是这样想出来的吧。想想为何当对方冒出“活在当下”的时候，我们会顿时感到哑口无言？想回说“也对，活在当下真棒”，但却又觉得不对劲、不应该。想着毕竟还是别人的人生，人家想要怎么做就怎么做吧。还是就回说：“去活吧，去活在你的当下”？
这不对劲的点在哪里呢？让我们一起来探讨一下，在上面提到的四个情境里究竟发生了什么事，或许可以从中得到一些借鉴。
第一，把本来可以今天完成的报告留给明天，这样看起来好像是对自己在短时间内完成报告的能力非常有自信，但是实际上这样的“活在当下”就是拖延吧。把责任摆一边，现在的开心最重要。第二，尽情地花钱，看到喜欢的东西就买，这应该叫做放纵欲望，只要当下的满足，不要迟来的奖赏。第三，不留积蓄、然后等着下个月发的工资，不为无常做准备，这就是放弃风险管理、放弃长期规划、形同于摆烂。第四，借酒消愁，愁上加愁，不好好面对与处理自己的负面情绪，像这样就真的能解决问题吗？这还是率真的表现吗？或许比较像是逞强，甚至胆怯。
从以上四点，我们似乎可以总结出一个共同点——逃避。
这四个情境中的“活在当下”其实都是在逃避。有什么好逃避的呢？当然是那些自己一直不敢直视的事啦：责任、欲望、规划与情绪。所以嘴上说的是要活“在”当下，实际上，其实是活“出”了当下。因为他们正是利用这个别人管不着的词，逃出了本来应该面对的当下，把事情留给未来。
但不管放在过去、现在、还是未来，不管在哪一个当下，逃避责任、放纵欲望、放弃规划、回避情绪这四件事，从来不会带来什么好事。它们本质上都是消极应对现实的方式，极少带来积极的结果。
逃避带来的最坏结果，是把人带到死循环。今天逃避的责任累积到明天，压力更大，就更想逃；放纵的欲望得到满足后，空虚感更强烈，需要满足更大的欲望来填补；缺乏规划的结果，就是到处起火，这样我们只能一直处在不断救火的状态，更加没有长期规划的时间与空间；压抑的情绪得不到抒发，进而影响身心健康，产生更多负面情绪，健康继续恶化。
该面对的总有一天还是要面对的，逃到最后只会必“死”无疑。所以与其说“活在当下”，我们甚至可以大胆地说，逃避的当下，就是“死在当下”。
如何证明一个人活着呢？
戏剧里面我们常看到，当有人躺在地上生死未知，我们可以将手指凑近他的鼻子，看看是否还有呼吸。呼吸是个进行式的动词，当然不能只有一呼一吸，要持续不断地呼吸才算。活着就是这样，不会只在一个当下活着，要在每个当下持续不断的活着，才算是真活着。有时候我们把“活”当做理所当然了，自然地把重点落在“当下”。可是，把“活”给持续不断地在每个当下活出来，那才是真正的“活在当下”啊。所以我们还是用老老实实的行动来证明自己活着吧。
要怎样才能持续不断地活在每一个当下？
回答这个问题之前，先来说说看什么是自由？自由就是可以不顾一切地为所欲为吗？显然不是。它是在法律、道德规范下，在不影响他人自由的前提下，能做的自主决策与行动。这定义下的自由才能让所有人都自由自在地生活，并且和谐共处。
同样的，你我都希望能够自由自在地享乐，但这并代表我们能恣意妄为。所有的行动应该要在不影响明天、后天、大后天都能享乐的前提下才好执行。如果我们能让今天的快乐去滋养明天的快乐，这样的每一天、每时每刻的我们才能“活在当下”，持续不断地活得开心、自在。
所以，为了明天也能和朋友或同事有良好的关系，今天相处的矛盾与摩擦，是不是能用和平的方式来解决？还是就不管这么多，先发个脾气逞一时之快再说？
为了明天也能健健康康地生活，今天是不是该注意饮食，均衡摄取需要的营养？一场大鱼大肉之后，是不是要考虑做做运动、消耗卡路里，抑或下一餐简单地吃份沙拉来平衡一下？
为了能够轻轻松松地在期限内完成工作项目，是不是该好好安排每一天的工作进程？还是先放一边，最后才来赶进度？
为了明年也能开开心心地出国旅游，今年的旅行是不是还要超出预算？还是可以把一些饮食、住宿的消费降低，让经济负担少一些？
投资，是为了让我们未来不被温水煮青蛙的通货膨胀来影响我们享乐；保险，也是为了在突入其来的意外或疾病来临时，让我们可以继续保持生活品质。把部分资金放在这些理财工具上或许会让我们少了一些资源去吃喝玩乐，但如果现在就大肆的花钱、不理财，不也是延迟痛苦吗？
活在当下，就是不在乎过去、也不焦虑未来，好好地活在当前这个时刻。如果你还在乎过去，那就请好好地正视和接受过去。可以试着写下或倾诉心中的感受，承认它们的存在。我们可以从过去中尽可能地接收能让自己成长的养分，然后好好地放下这担，不让它继续成为未来的负担。如果你正在焦虑未来，那就做好准备；万全的准备就是应对未知未来的最佳方法。例如你在筹办一场户外活动，与其担心活动期间会不会下雨，不如早早制定B计划，看看是否可以在下雨的时候赶紧换到室内场地，或是为每位参与者准备雨具等等，这些都是可以在未来还没到来前准备好的。
过去的每一个决定，都将我们带至此时此地，而我们也完全有能力去掌控它，活在当下。愿我们都能继续保持清醒、自觉的生活姿态，去迎接一样精彩的下一个当下。
你是否曾经想过这个问题，真正的“富足”是什么？
努力了这么久、天天如此辛苦地工作，究竟要挣得多少的财富才会让自己感到快乐、幸福、心满意足呢？这道题我问过不少人，大多一时答不上来，感觉随便说个数字又显得太肤浅。说实话，这是道陷阱题，陷阱在于它把幸福快乐给简化了，简化成只剩下一个数字，好像非要有多少钱才能有幸福人生一样。
那“富足”是什么呢？
这里我们先来说文解字，解“富”这个字。
“富” 上面是个宝盖头，是家的意思；下面的“畐”（fú）字，是形像酒坛装满的样子。因为在古代，酒是需要大量的谷物来酿制的，只有在粮食充足而有余的情况下才能酿酒，所以“富”也可以理解为家中物资充盈的意思。
你看，为什么大家对“富”这个字特别有感？里面有个家、又有充足的物资，生活基本需求被满足了，这画面有什么好不美好的？
而身为福乐投资者的你，是否觉得很熟悉？没错，这和我们财富自由模式不谋而合 — 即一间缴清贷款的房子，加上能产生睡后收入（睡觉时也能赚的钱）来支助我们日常开销的资产。这样衣、食、住、行的需求都被满足了，这就是基本的退休生活规划。
好了，现在是有了房子、也有了物资，这样就可以算是富足吗？
仔细想想，有花不完的钱，但没时间去花，这样富足吗？有偌大的房子，却只有小小的自己住在里面，这样叫富足吗？有无数名牌服饰，但没有健康的身体穿上它们，这样也富足吗？
也不是说金钱什么、物质等等的不重要，这些都是“富”这个字最直接的意思。只是当古人觉得吃饱穿暖、有酒满盈就是富，来到现代的我们应该要有更新的版本了吧。
除了金钱，现今社会人们同样称羡的，我想还有时间、健康与人际。
时间、健康、人际 — 当每个人都缺，而你却有了，这样就是富有啊。你想，大家都说忙，而你却有时间做自己喜欢的事；人人身心俱疲，而你身强体壮；这样的你，是不是比别人富有太多了？可以让人生更丰富的不会只是金钱。以后我们再细聊这部分。
现在我们来说说“足”这个概念。
金钱要有多少才会觉得安全、有底气？时间要有多充裕才会觉得轻松、不紧张？无论多少，可以肯定的是无限的什么并不会让人觉得愉悦，反而让人迷惘而不珍惜。如果这个周末，什么也不做，就躺在床上好好休息，是有多开心。但这样的日子如果延长到一个星期，甚至一年；一年都这样躺着，会好吗？光想就累，巴不得马上跳起来干活。金钱也一样，过了个度，眼光自然地会转向其他的事物上。
的确，有了无限的什么，我们就会去找个有限的什么来追求，从来都没有个“足”。无限的东西往往让人忘了珍惜，正是因为事物的稀缺和有限，才让人感知到它们的价值。这种追求可以是无止境的。所以我觉得这个“足”字，更确切地说应该叫做平衡。能不能在为事业奔波的同时，还能把家人和自己的健康给顾好，能把生活中的方方面面都平衡到位了，那得是一种人生智慧。
“富足”绝不是要我们原地踏步、不再付出、不再求进步，不是说到了某个层阶，上岸了就可以停止了。因为平衡也并非完全静止的，它是动态过程，是需要力量的。
有些朋友目标非常远大，有欲望、有所求，像这一类的朋友我一点都不担心，因为他们只要肯努力付出，总能达到一定的成就。让我比较担心的是认定自己是平凡人的朋友，想着停在此时此刻就好，不管是工作还是生活，自己是平凡人就过着平凡的日子，就这样。但对我来说，所有的事物其实都像逆水行舟，不进则退。例如体态需要我们不断的控制才能维持，和伴侣的关系也需要双方不停的付出来保鲜。
财富也是如此，一直逆着我们的是通货膨胀。物价总会上涨，即便再讨厌也无法摆脱，因为适量的通货膨胀（2-3%）其实对市场经济是健康的，各国都会尽量去维持。而我们老百姓也不能坐视不管，不理财，就会被通货膨胀给冲到下游去。
所以当你误解了平衡就是不发力，那只会失衡，接下来只能往后退了。
关于这一点，我想瑜伽爱好者应该也不会反对。瑜伽看似静态柔和，实则需要全身多部位肌肉协同发力才能保持平衡。核心要发力，上肢要推撑，下肢要扎稳。一整套动作做下来，好像没在动，却全身发汗。练习完之后，身心舒畅，神清气爽，双手合十，namaste（感恩、道谢）。
幸福和满足，往往来自于对有限事物的感恩和珍惜，而不是对无限的追求。学会感恩，就是学会知足，然后开开心心地迈向每一步。如果富有是指物质上的，那么富足就是精神层面上的。单是富有并不会让你得到财富自由，富足才是真正的自由，因为你已经学会平衡、学会感恩，为此摆脱了无谓追求的束缚。我想，这就是《道德经》里说的“知足者富”吧。
曾经和一位在跨国公司担任主管级的顾客讨论他的买房计划，到底买政府组屋（HDB）还是私人公寓好。只听他毫不犹豫地说当然是政府组屋，因为他想早一点达成财富自由。说真的一、两百万的私人公寓他不是买不起，世俗的想法也认为私人公寓的设施与居住环境比较贵气；然而我们还是继续讨论着新币大概七、八十万的四房式政府租屋（没有不好，政府组屋真的可以住得很舒适）。我只是觉得他说想早点达成财富自由的这个想法很有智慧；数字上，选择政府组屋立马省下了一百多万；精神上，他其实摆脱了物质的束缚。
《渔夫与商人》的寓言故事大家听过吗？从前有一个渔夫，每天只要捕到的鱼能满足他和家人的需要后，他就会悠闲地躺在海边休息、晒太阳。一天一个富商经过，看到正在休息的渔夫，便问他为什么不多打些鱼，赚更多的钱。渔夫问：“赚更多的钱有什么用呢？”商人说：“这样你就可以像我一样悠闲地享受生活。”渔夫笑着回答：“我现在不就在悠闲地享受生活吗？”这个故事告诉我们，每个人的生活平衡点都不一样；财富并不一定能带来更多的幸福，知足常乐才是。
一个人若能享受山珍海味的丰盛，同时也能享受粗茶淡饭的简单；觉得游山玩水是快乐，就算宅在家一整天也是快乐；有家庭、人生伴侣、小孩是福气，倘若单身无挂碍也是福气，这样的人生是富足的。因为富足就在于懂得如何生活，懂得惜福、懂得快乐。
This coffee shop serves as a satellite meeting point for our team, offering a relaxed atmosphere rich in culture and heritage right in the heart of Geylang. The service here is exceptionally welcoming, with staff treating us like family. Equipped with our corporate Wi-Fi, it’s the perfect spot for our casual work sessions.
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This building houses our Central Processing Unit, including the Managing Director’s office and teams for operations, finance, investors’ support services, media, IT, compliance and HR. Focused on operational excellence, these departments form the backbone of our organization, ensuring smooth and efficient function across all essential services.
Our Kampung Private Club is a two-storey conservation shophouse that offers a warm, intimate setting for our investors, friends, and family to enjoy home-cooked meals prepared with fresh ingredients daily. It also serves as a versatile venue for private events and training sessions, blending traditional charm with modern functionality.
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The Unicorn building serves as the central hub for eight of our properties, providing a dynamic and versatile environment. It houses a shared workspace for hot desking, business unit offices, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic, a private lounge and investment spaces.
The latest addition to our collection of freehold properties, JNP House is a charming two-storey conservation shophouse that seamlessly blends modern sophistication with timeless character. Incorporating private dining, it is designed to host our investors in style. Currently under renovation, stay tuned for its grand unveiling!