Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today advised e-entrepreneurs to always remain calm when facing challenges, including "backstabbers".

Speaking to about 3,000 people at a conference in Kuala Lumpur today, Najib told his audience to must always remain optimistic and focussed on their tasks.

"In life, we must not give up even if we face various challenges, resistance or people who attack us or stab us in the back. We must not give up.

"We must always be optimistic and not lose focus. We must focus on what we want to achieve. We must have passion," he said during the E-Usahawan@Marketplace event at KLCC.

Najib said this when asked by a participant for advice on how he motivates himself every morning. 

The prime minister added that self affirmation can help provide positive energy.

"Do you know what is the difference between gila (madness) and gila-gila (madness)?

"When you talk (to yourself) and then you reply to yourself, that means you are mad.

"But talking to yourself (self affirmation) can provide positive energy.

"But don't reply (to what you tell yourself). Because if you do, you are really mad," said Najib.