New Roads and Old Dreams: An Interview with USP Alum Shane Yan
By Choo Ruizhi
Choo Ruizhi (History + USP, Year 2) is a student writer for Highlights
Published: 23 March 2015
USP alum Shane Yan (Psychology + USP, Class of 2008) is a regular supporter of USP events and a familiar face to many in the USP. She is also the author of Wide Asleep, Sound Awake. USP Highlights caught up with Shane recently on friendship, dreams, and the significance of that strange word itself: passion.
"Make new mistakes.
Don't live life with regrets"
Beginnings
From the storied foundation writing modules to freshmen orientation camps, Shane’s memories of USP bear an underlying current of nostalgia.
“The modules were different and interesting; how the classes were run stimulates a lot of thinking and encourages perspective taking.”
Shane’s memory of her foundation writing class in USP — what is today known as the Writing and Critical Thinking (WCT) module, will resonate with many current students. “I remembered being a little lost for a while, but that class made a huge difference in the way I write. It was very beneficial for all my USP and non-USP modules. I have to thank Dr Don Favareau for that (and his patience)!”
The multidisciplinary nature of the USP — its demographic of different majors and diversity of personalities — is something that Shane recalls fondly as well, with students from different fields offering different perspectives and new depths to any topic of conversation. “I particularly appreciate Chatterbox as it became a 'home' to hang out at in the university and to make friends.
We could enter Chatterbox and basically chat with anyone and everyone, friends or strangers alike.” (Chatterbox is the name of the much beloved USP student lounge, and it existed way before USP moved to University Town in 2011. Right now, it is situated on the ground floor of Cinnamon College (USP)).
Indeed, more than the intellectual rigour of USP, it is this sense of community that recurs in Shane’s recounts. Rather than a single-minded commitment to academic excellence, Shane’s memories of USP continually return to the friendships she has made.
“I also joined the University Scholars Club and made many valuable friendships there, many that I still cherish. We also see how relationships blossomed over the years and I have had the privilege to attend the weddings of USPers. I married a fellow USPer too!”
“Were there any professors, seniors, mentors or friends who made an impression on me? There are too many to name. Everyone whom I have met has, in one way or another, left a mark on me.”
In Search of Dreams
Yet while USP indeed enabled her to make the most of her university life, enhancing and enriching her learning, there have been many things that Shane has done since graduating from the Programme. One of them was writing a book about dreams, which was launched in May 2014.
What is Wide Asleep, Sound Awake about?
“Wide Asleep, Sound Awake is a book specially crafted to allow readers to discover more about themselves, to be more mindful and to simply create a new experience.”
“Self-reflection serves as the foundation to understanding ourselves in order to unlock our potential. It is required in every aspect of our lives, but we don't do it often enough. More often than not, we are distracted by the external world and what the world expects of us that we forget to listen to ourselves. This book hopes to inspire readers to new perspectives through self-reflection. ”
Mr Mustafa (on the right) together with his father, Mr Izzuddin.
What motivated you to write such a book?
“Until I started writing the book, I had been aimless in my life for a long while. I had a good job, but it always felt like something was missing in my life. I wanted to do more to give back to society and to do something with more meaning.
Looking at others who seemed to know their passion, I was compelled to discover mine. I wanted to lead a purposeful life and I was worried that I would live life with regrets.
Finding my passion was not easy, as I did not know where to begin. A wise friend reminded me that if I were to sit there thinking of what I could do, nothing would happen or change.
I had to take action and start doing something, trying anything new. It sparked my memory of some promises I had made to myself over the years, which I had not kept. I then created a to-do list based on these promises.
Being an avid dreamer with interesting dreams to tell each morning, I had always wanted to compile my dreams into a book of short stories.
This had been one of the promises on this to-do list. But that was not enough for me. I wanted to write a book that would inspire others and help them on their own journeys of self-discovery. I wanted the book to help with inspiring happiness, and to bring new perspectives to readers. This was how Wide Asleep Sound Awake was born.”
What were some of the complications you encountered in bringing this book to press?
“Conceptualising the book was not a problem as ideas flowed naturally. However, finding a publisher for my book proved to be a challenge. Singaporean publishers turned me away due to the book’s unconventional format. They were unwilling to take a risk on it.
In the end, everything worked out. My publisher found me after I posted a question on a book forum. In essence, I think if any complication came up, it was because I did not trust myself enough. When I threw myself into it and dared to take the risks, doors opened.”
Make New Mistakes!
Writing Wide Asleep, Sound Awake has also led Shane to many other opportunities, and gave her the courage to try new things.
These pursuits ranged from taking up a greater responsibility in managing the Passion Unleashed Talk Series (a non-profit organisation which brings in motivational speakers to share their life stories), to giving talks about her own experiences, to ultimately quitting her previous job.
Shane has since started her own training and coaching company, Savoir Asia Consulting Pte Ltd. Savoir Asia focuses on helping teams communicate and work better by appreciating diversity, and helping individuals achieve greater self-awareness; to increase their subjective well-being, and to help them find their personal priorities in life. Her tag line is “Happy Individuals, Happier Organisations”.
(Third and fourth from right) Shane and her twin sister Shamantha have attended many USP-organised events since they graduated in 2008.
It was, however, a story from one of her readers which affirmed for Shane most deeply her decision to write the book.
“A reader of Wide Asleep Sound Awake who was managing a bookstore (but whose real passion lies in music) told me that the book made him realise that he had never really put in enough effort for everything he had wanted to achieve in his life.
That realisation sparked a series of events — people in his town started asking for a copy of a CD he had produced; the newspaper wanted to write an article on him and even connected him to a kid who was willing to help him put his music on YouTube for free. He had shared his music with me. He also told me he was starting to perform again, after a three-year hiatus.
Stories from my readers really assured me that I am on the right track, and that I should continue with what I am doing!”
Reflecting on the things she has done led Shane to realise the congruence and similarity of these things — her book had helped to inspire passion in individuals; it had connected people and improved their well-beings.
“I now know my purpose and passion. I have a vision for myself: to pay it forward, and help those looking for their passion and meaning. I want to be able to enhance the subjective well being (also known as happiness) of people through increasing their self awareness and connecting them to others.”
Shane Yan from the USP Class of 2008 has come a long way since those halcyon days struggling with her first writing module, or having spirited conversations in the Chatterbox. Today, she is an author, life coach, managing director and talk series manager. How did she come this far?
“I believe that everyone has the ability to empower themselves as long as they can recognise their blind spots. Just believe in yourself, have courage to keep exploring because doors open themselves when you keep the faith and have a positive mindset. To me, failure is an option, so it is okay to keep trying and taking on new challenges.”
“Make new mistakes. Don’t live life with regrets.”
(Shane creates various workshops and is looking for people who may like to be the first to pilot test programmes with her. Anyone interested can email her at shane@savoir-asia.com.)