A Poor Fisherman in Mauritius Grounded Me on the Importance of Valuable Things in Life

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Martina and I can define myself as a structured dreamer, with a hunger for the new and unknown, a woman who loves to learn, to develop, with a loving and joyful heart, a person who is happy to be in a supportive role, a driver, a visionary, and a lever for the development of others.

For you, traveling the world is?

For me, traveling in general is a muse, a true inspiration. Whether I am in our beautiful country or in another place in the world, traveling is my inspiration, recharge, grounding, and true pleasure. Movement in general is defining for me.

How many different countries have you seen so far? Share an interesting incident or highlights from your travels?

So far, I have visited about 15 countries, some multiple times. It is a challenge to recall a specific incident because there are many and all are interesting. I am one of those people who sees the big picture, and sometimes the details are an interesting task. I would share that in every place there is something charming, wonderfully beautiful, very fulfilling with positive emotions, people, and experiences.

Do you like to repeat destinations? Give examples and motivation “for” or “against”?

Oh, yes! I love to revisit places, and I also love to go to new ones. In support of revisiting destinations, I would share that there is no same experience in the same place. Of course, I would recommend combining it with new ones for a more diverse and exciting experience and learning.

What do you learn about yourself and your professional skills when you are in a new cultural environment?

I learn about myself that I am an adventurer, an explorer, that curiosity is a driving force, and the unknown excites me. I connect these qualities with my work and my manner as a person ready to rush in, to act, to create - creativity. I find joy in observing new cultures, learning from them, applying what I see, and making new contacts, it is my favorite. Over time, I have learned to love stepping out of my comfort zone.

Have you met people or ideas during your travels that have influenced your career path?

Yes! I have many examples. From exhibitions and events from which I have borrowed ideas for our products and services, innovations, and process improvements, to individual personalities, such as a poor fisherman in Mauritius, who in his life story grounded me on the importance of valuable things. As many beautiful places in the world, there are just as many beautiful and meaningful people everywhere.

Do you think that traveling helps you expand your professional network? How?

Absolutely, I believe that through travel we can expand ourselves on all levels! I am a proud owner of a warm and supportive list of people I know thanks to traveling, which I can both recommend and use for my development and goals.

What skills do you develop the most when you travel, and how do they reflect on your work?

I have the ability to disconnect while traveling and actively enjoy what is happening, observing how I react and what I learn if something interesting arises. This gives me time for myself, a retreat from the project or work, time for creativity, new strengths and ideas, and a perspective from another angle.

Is there a city or country that has inspired you to start a new business or project?

Yes! In Italy, I always come up with new ideas, but also in other places. One of my superpowers is to invent and create, I do it easily and generate a lot of creative energy.

When you are in an unfamiliar country, do you feel more motivated or more distracted? Why?

Visiting new places, I have a very large dose of curiosity, and the things that impress me, I ponder how I can apply them, whether they are positive or negative, I think of ideas for improvement, how I can note and enhance them if I see them in my ecosystem, and it becomes even more interesting to me. The reason I do this is the need for improvement and focus on the positive.

Are there destinations that act as a “restart” for your creativity and ambition?

Destinations that act as a “restart” for me are all those around water! 

How do you manage the balance between work and pleasure when you travel?

I manage the balance with a plan. I strongly believe in creating a plan and not being reactive, so there is time for everything, even for the extraordinary things.

How have travels changed the way you perceive the value of money?

Traveling and life lessons have greatly changed the way I perceive the value of money. Money is a tool for me, not an end in itself. And thanks to this awareness, I have had a rich life so far, even in moments when we were bankrupt, without a home, without security, without clarity “what now”, with nothing. 

I have seen and interacted with people in many places who do not have money for their next lunch, yet have full hearts, shining eyes, and a willingness to give. I also have many close acquaintances who have money for the next two generations, but lack the spark in their eyes, do not find joy in the little things, their emotional bank is empty, there is apathy, discontent, and they lead a difficult life. 

 

Do you travel with the aim of finding new ways to earn money?

So far, such an intention has not been a reason for travel or an end in itself. However, it is absolutely true that I see and actively seek opportunities for improvement, resources, and new ways to earn everywhere.

What lessons about financial independence have you learned from different economies and cultures?

I learned the way of perceiving and relating to money, which was a useful perspective for me, as well as reinforcing my understanding of what is valuable and how it provides value and abundance.

Do you think it is better to spend on experiences rather than material possessions?

For me, what is valuable are experiences, I do not have an attachment to material possessions. I enjoy them, use them with gratitude and for their intended purpose, but they are not the goal of existence or satisfying an emotional hunger. And I believe in balance. Personally, I mainly spend resources on experiences, whether it is a weekly massage, travel, various books, training, activities aimed at emotional experiences and learning. It would be a challenge to evaluate what is right because we are different people, so my recommendation is for everyone to do what fills them with joy.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

I see the future of digital nomadic life as more than wonderful, with the rapid development of technologies. This provides a fertile ground for large-scale changes in many areas that will change, positively in my opinion, within 5-8 years. I believe it will be positive because many challenges will arise and there will be a need for new thinking, breaking stereotypes, thinking outside the box, and that is unique.

Are there specific countries that are more favorable for work and investments?

Every country has favorable ground. Especially if there is a problem to be solved. There are exceptional opportunities everywhere. In some countries, we are supported in certain areas more than in others, in some places there are better developed human, economic, or technological resources, but there are favorable opportunities everywhere.

If you could choose one place in the world to develop your next big idea, where would it be and why?

The ideas I have so far have been aimed at being able to be multiplied everywhere, whether it is a product or service, so if I could choose one place in the world to develop my next big idea, my focus would rather be on searching for a place that needs a solution to a problem and how I can create a premise for resources.

What destinations would you definitely recommend visiting and why?

The first trio would be - Italy, for the positive energy of the people and the delicious food, Exotic places in the Indian Ocean - there time has a new dimension, and of course, the highly technologically developed places in Asia.

Most of all, I would recommend just traveling often.

What is the career advice you would give based on what you have seen around the world?

The advice I would give to everyone is more of a question to ask themselves with curiosity: What new and inspiring things are here for me that will improve my qualities, skills, and life?