Meet Ryan Guthrie

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ryan Guthrie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ryan, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I don’t think imposter syndrome is something to be overcome. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing.

In my career I’ve changed lanes and attempted bigger and scarier things pretty frequently, and I’ve never hit a point where I thought to myself “I’m perfect at this and I have no feelings of intimidation or inadequacy.”

I think Imposter syndrome is a compass that let’s you know you’re doing something that is growing you. Something that’s pushing you beyond your comfort zone and that will ultimately lead to your growth.

For example, my network of connections is rapidly growing and I’m coming into contact with people that make me feel like I don’t belong in the same room as them. People that were mentors to the people I looked up to when I started in my career, people that have portfolios worth half a billion dollars, and more.

I grew up middle class where the predominant mindset is that you trade your hours for dollars. That mindset is hard to shake and even though I don’t trade my time for dollars anymore, talking with people who talk about a “modest savings of $90k/month” is still a little daunting.

I would even say I have a healthy dose of imposter syndrome going on, especially when talking with these people. But I know that ultimately this will be a net positive for me. I know it’s pushing me past my comfort zone and giving me the opportunity to be more. Even if it’s wildly uncomfortable in the moment.

Imposter syndrome isn’t something to eliminate. It’s something to recognize and get excited by. Remember, fear and excitement live right next to each other in your brain. Try be excited about something big and scary the next time it pops up.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Back in February of 2020 I decided to leave my job and put my college plans on hold. I was originally going to become a nurse but fell out of love with healthcare because I didn’t want to see people suffer every day. Hats off to the healthcare workers out there.

I dove headfirst into an online course I’d found about marketing and copywriting. I became a successful marketer fairly quickly. From there I also helped a few entrepreneurs write and publish books, as well as some consulting down the road.

Throughout every venture I attempted it became clear that my talents lay in the realm of connection and relationships. I was able to build relationships and friendships everywhere I went. That ability to connect with people is at the heart of my business nowadays.

I’m a connector, a deal maker. I’m able to bring people and businesses together who can go on to pull off lucrative deals, joint ventures, partnerships, and a myriad of other relationships. I’ve become the “go to” guy for a few companies so that whenever they need something or someone, they ask me.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

In no particular order, the 3 most important skills in my journey would have to be: Resilience, Creativity, and being able to create relationships with people.

Life is tough, business is tough, growth is tough. If you shut down when a gnarly amount of adversity comes your way then you’re setting yourself up for a lot of misery. But, if you can learn to be resilient, how to be stubborn in the face of trials and setbacks, the world becomes your oyster.

Most people and most businesses think about things in a very linear and straightforward way. There’s nothing wrong with that. But, if you can learn to think creatively and outside the box, you’ll be able to accomplish things that others would call “brilliant.”

Every business, no matter what you do, is a people business. Learning how to understand and develop relationships with people will help you to excel no matter what phase of life you find yourself in. I’m a naturally introverted guy that never went on a single date during high school. And yet, I’ve built a lucrative business for myself, spoken with the creators of entire movements, the best experts in the world at their craft, family members of world leaders, and more (I also got better at dates and now have a wife who’s so far out of my league). Relationships are a skill that can be learned and there is no single skill more profitable than being able to connect with another human being.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

I will never pass up the chance to give my parents the praise they deserve.

My dad decided to go back to school when I was born. He worked full-time and attended his classes at night, averaging 16 hour days. And yet he was always happy to read to me at night or carry me to the local mall and ride the carousel there.

My mother decided to stay home with me and devote all of her attention to raising me. Sometimes money was tight, but as a kid I thought I was the richest kid in the world because we did everything together.

Both of my parents sacrificed for me and my brother quietly, never making a big ordeal out of what they had to give up in order to give us all they had.

They both set the bar incredibly high for me, and showed me the exact kind of people that make a real difference in the world.

My dad ended up getting his degree and is now one of the most respected electrical engineers in the state of California. My mom has become a sourdough bread making machine and is always trying to send loaves home with my brother and I.

After 31 years together they’d put any honey-mooners to shame with how much they love each other.

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