Martins Lasmanis

Could you share your journey with us? First, imagine you have amnesia and have forgotten all aspects of your life. To remember who you are and the type of person you've become, please reflect on key moments, realizations, and milestones that have shaped your evolution from the earliest memories you can recall until the present day.

I have definitely pondered this question, which actually reminds me of a book by Otto, whose last name I cannot recall at the moment. He runs a course at MIT called Theory of U, which focuses on how to ground oneself, identify oneself, and lead oneself from the present to the future. The idea is to bridge the gap between today and the future, and the theory takes one through multiple steps to reach their inner self, to be reborn at the bottom, and rise up to achieve an expected outcome.

From the bottom of my heart, I believe that honesty is what drives me the most. I despise lying because it causes problems and challenges. If someone were to ask me what I want to happen in the world, I would say that it would be great if everyone were just honest and didn't push their own agendas. Being super honest and transparent will help us find ways for all of us to benefit.

The second thing that drives me is how to become a valuable contributor to humankind in general. We are here for such a short time, and in the grand scheme of things, we are just a drop in the cycle of nature and Earth. Every day, I remind myself of how I can add more value and how I can contribute to society, my community, my country, and humanity in general. I push myself hard to reach my maximum and have no regrets at the end of the day.

Did you have anything in your life that changed you completely?

There are many significant events and milestones in life, but in my opinion, the most transformative experience that marks the transition from boyhood to manhood is witnessing the birth of your first child. Seeing the birth firsthand, comprehending the process, and experiencing the awe-inspiring event sparks a series of profound questions regarding the purpose of life, the origins of consciousness, and why a particular person is brought into existence.

As a father of three children, I have undergone this metamorphosis multiple times. Each experience is unique yet similar in its transformative power. Until one has experienced this moment, it is challenging to comprehend the depth of empathy, responsibility, and understanding that comes with it. Prior to this pivotal moment, one can be self-focused and make decisions based on personal preferences, such as going out for a drink on a Wednesday or staying up late to watch Netflix. Witnessing a birth is a profoundly impactful experience that has fundamentally changed how I view the world and approach life.

What is more important, the result or the process?

Of course, it's the process. I remind myself of this every day, and it's important to keep reminding yourself because true satisfaction comes from the process itself. The goal is just a single event - once it happens, it's gone. So, enjoy the process every day, every step of the way.

Have you always thought like this, or was it slightly different in the past?

When I was younger, I was more focused on achieving specific goals and outcomes. However, as I've grown older, I've come to realize that achieving those goals takes time and requires patience. Therefore, in order to fully enjoy the journey of reaching those goals, you have to learn to love the process.

Have you ever experienced a strong emotional attachment to a particular outcome or goal? Sometimes, individuals can become so fixated on achieving their objective that they become oblivious to potential negative consequences that may arise as a result.

I definitely set goals for myself, but sometimes I don't know what the path toward the goal will be. I just go with the flow and when I look back on specific events, milestones, or stepping stones towards that goal, I start putting the pieces of the puzzle together and realize that things worked out.

There have been crazy events that I just can't explain why they happened, but they did and things worked out fine. So, let me share one cool story. It's super trendy to talk about manifestation and such, but I don't really believe in or follow those things. Nonetheless, this is a simple story - when I went to study in Sweden, it was really difficult to find housing. My friends and family kept asking me where I was going to stay, but I just had a feeling that things would work out. Maybe someone on the airplane next to me would have a free apartment. I wasn't too worried. And you know what? Someone on the airplane did have a free apartment and I rented it from them. It's a true story! I landed, stayed one night in a hostel, and the next day I was in the apartment. It was difficult to sublet the apartment in Sweden, but I was able to pay cash and it all worked out.

Whenever I face difficulties or challenges, I remind myself to put in the work, trust the process, and things will work out fine.

The theoretical question is, what would it mean for you to lose your business completely? What will you do? What will happen to you?

I would most likely either work for a fund or take up a corporate job. However, I know for sure that I wouldn't settle for a bad salary. I would definitely start a side hustle or do something to earn some extra income and excitement, like the first sale of a new record, to get those small dopamine rushes that keep me going. I would be very dissatisfied if I were to work for a company that pays a lot but is boring to work for. If I were to lose my business, I would probably start by looking for a job. Depending on the situation, I might work for a tech company, a corporate job, or a fund.

It's not the end of the world. It is what it is. As long as I'm confident that I put in maximum effort every day and did everything in my power for it to succeed, there will be no regrets at all.

Are you a proactive or reactive person?

I believe I fall somewhere in between the rational and emotional scales. I consider both factors when making decisions, but ultimately rely on my gut feeling to determine how to move forward. However, I always make sure to gather as much supporting information as possible to ensure that my gut decision is the right one.

Are You adding analytics on top of gut feelings?

Yes. Yes, you can say so.

How do you react to pleasant and unpleasant situations in your life?

Let me give you an example. During our honeymoon, we lost our GoPro while surfing in the sea. Unfortunately, it was gone forever, and we couldn't get it back. My partner was upset about it for three days, thinking about all the videos and photos we had lost. I, on the other hand, tried to help her see the reality that it was out of our control and there was nothing we could do to change it. Instead, we needed to focus on the things we could control and move on.

Do you do charity work? If yes, do you keep this action for yourself only or share it everywhere on social media?

Yeah, I don't share my charitable contributions on social media. I've donated significant amounts of money, particularly to children's hospitals in Latvia. However, I prefer to keep it low-key, and I haven't sought recognition for my donations. Having three children of my own, I understand how challenging it can be when loved ones become ill. Therefore, I'm glad that my contributions can help families who are struggling. However, I'm not a fan of giving money to people who beg on the streets. It was particularly fascinating when I observed this phenomenon in the United States, where there are thousands of homeless people are requesting aid. I don't understand why they don't seek employment instead of begging for money. I believe that some people become accustomed to their way of life and don't want to alter it.

Do you sleep a lot, how often do you eat, and what do you eat?

Sleep is crucial for productivity, and I aim for seven to eight hours of rest each night. However, with three kids, it can be challenging. I sometimes wake up multiple times during the night, which affects my sleep quality. Recently, the most difficult night was when I worked on sales calls till midnight, and the next day was unproductive, and I couldn't focus. I'm trying to avoid such situations to stay productive.

As for eating, I have one meal during workdays, and I eat whatever I want during that time. I don't monitor my diet, but I try to avoid sugary foods and candies. On weekends, I tend to indulge, which I need to control better. This eating regime may not work for everyone, but it helps me stay focused. If I eat lunch during workdays, I become less productive and find it hard to think appropriately.

What you're doing as part of self-discipline?

Another characteristic of mine is that I am highly disciplined, and this helps me build habits. For instance, I work out every day during midday with intense heat workouts that last between 40 minutes to an hour. I aim to burn an average of 500 calories per workout. Some days, I don't feel like exercising, but my discipline has allowed me to build the habit, just like brushing my teeth every morning and evening. Sometimes, you don't want to do it, but you eventually get up and do it. To overcome the mental barrier, I don't overthink things. Instead, I take a step, walk, and do it without too much thinking. That's why I love Nike's slogan, "Just Do It." It's simple, and it works.

How do you understand the term call of the soul?

I believe that the key to being a valuable member of society is understanding your talents and finding ways to contribute to the community. This should be the driver for every person. At the end of the day, material possessions such as watches, cars, and big houses do not bring lasting happiness. Many people get caught up in the pursuit of status symbols to prove their success, but it often leads to depression and dissatisfaction. It is important to align our mental state with our goals and values to find true fulfillment.

How can others recognize inner talents, and how can others find true fulfillment?

Self-reflection, meditation, therapy, and even psychedelics can provide a better understanding of oneself and help gain a new perspective. In some places, like Denver, Colorado, certain things are legal, and they can help make people realize that in the grand scheme of things, they are just a tiny part of the universe. It's important to let go of one's ego as soon as possible because it can hinder growth and progress. Once you overcome it, you can become unstoppable.

Can you share with us your inner wins?

One internal win for me is my exercise routine. I have been able to maintain a consistent exercise routine that I wasn't doing when I was younger. This shows how disciplined I am and that I can achieve the results I'm looking for. It also gives me the strength to achieve other goals.

Another internal win is that when I was younger, I used to be a bit of a bully in school, it was like a defense mechanism for being overweight. Since then, I have changed a lot and have been able to kill that ego. I understand the broader meaning of life now.

The third internal win that I'm still working on is not judging people too quickly. I'm getting better at minimizing my first impression of someone and really taking the time to get to know them without preconceived notions or mental frames. Instead, I try to learn about them as they are and accept them for who they are.

Why you started not to judge people?

I had preconceived opinions about some people. For example, there was one specific person that I thought I knew what they were like, but after meeting and talking to them in an unrelated context, I realized that I was completely wrong. This happened multiple times with different people and I came to the realization that it was foolish to make such assumptions.

What are your inner principles? You mentioned transparency and honesty. Maybe you have something else?

Yes, absolutely. These are virtues and values that we aim to incorporate into our organization. There are principles that I try to follow. The first is to think in systems, which allows for the removal of any redundant or repeatable work. Automation can be used for such tasks, which significantly increases productivity. The second is to have a growth mindset and continuously pursue intellectual, personal, and business growth, challenging oneself to go beyond the base level. Taking ownership and being fully responsible for one's mistakes is crucial. If you mess up, you need to admit it and be transparent about what happened. People appreciate honesty and transparency. Unfortunately, this is lacking in many politicians today. Instead of owning up to their mistakes, they try to cover them up. It's super important, to be honest and transparent. Sometimes I take things too seriously, so I need to learn to take life a bit lighter and enjoy myself when possible. When I'm focused, I'm really focused. However, sometimes I can be too serious in situations where it's not necessary.

Some things in our life can stop time. For example, when you start to do some activity, time stops. Do you have anything that helps you stop the time?

Yes, I recently learned how to surf. And I enjoy the process. It's super challenging to learn and I'm just at the beginner level. But still, I somehow enjoy the process of nature, of being there, of understanding how the ocean works. And then you just, as you say, get lost in the process and just do it. So it's super relaxing.

Do you have anyone who influenced you a lot?

I think it's still the same things that raised me up. My mom and dad are still a big influence. They always believed in me. My dad was also an entrepreneur in the 90s, but he eventually failed and took a corporate job. However, I believe that a lot of my entrepreneurial characteristics and strong work ethic come from my parents. In addition, I have a lot of respect for my grandfather, who is now 94 years old, and has been through a lot in his life, including being deported and spending time in a Gulag and serving in the army in the Soviet Union. Despite all of this, he persevered and ended up running one of the biggest supermarkets in the Baltics during the Soviet times. I think this is where some of my entrepreneurial drive and willingness to strive for the maximum in life comes from. My family has always supported and encouraged me, and they are the people who have kept me going.

In addition to my family, I've also gained inspiration from reading autobiographies. I wouldn't say that there's one specific person who has influenced me, but I find all of the stories incredibly interesting and valuable. I've read around 20-30 different autobiographies, ranging from entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs, the founders of Nike and McDonald's, to biographies of athletes. I find these stories inspirational because they show that successful people never give up, even when faced with the most difficult challenges. They keep pushing and striving towards their goals, and that's what separates them from those who aren't successful.

In terms of books, do you read more autobiographies or other books as well?

Yes, I love books, especially autobiographies and business books. However, it has been a while since I have been reading for the past year and a half due to family and work commitments. I miss reading a lot as I find it to be a very creative process. I plan to incorporate reading into my routine once I transition from operational to strategic thinking in our business. I plan to come to work and spend an hour reading books as part of my daily routine.