We had the good fortune of connecting with Gary Barnes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gary, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
That when you are given an idea or vision to act on it. Fear is normal and natural when we do something for the first time in one of my Gary-isms is “the first time always is “. the thought that many times comes up when we are creating something new is we do not know how to do it. How to do something is not the right question rather what are the resources do we need? Overthinking a challenge is one of the key elements that can lead to failure. That’s not to say that you don’t create a plan, but there is no way of knowing all of the obstacles in needs for accomplishing the vision when you start. Another one of my Gary-isms is “launch and adjust”. It can be very frustrating to see someone else act on the idea you had and release it to the world.

What should our readers know about your business?
My early background was in psychology and theology where I became a round peg in a square hole. I was putting myself through college through real estate and went into that full-time for nine years. I became the number one agent for a very large firm in Southern California. I then created one of the very first financial planning firms in the US and built it to the top 3% in production being a solo producer over a 30 year career. In 1984 we relocated to Denver Colorado. About 17 years ago I sold the practice and people wanted to know how I built my businesses to a high level so quickly and my business and sales consulting practice was born. That’s when I created Gary Barnes International as a high performance business and sales strategist, international speaker and author with clients throughout the US and internationally. I have been speaking for most of my career and formalized it along with becoming an author credited with 10 books. It wasn’t easy and I had many bumps along the way. One of them was in 1988 when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was told I would be in a wheelchair or dead within 10 years. One of the biggest lessons I have learned throughout my life and career is that we cannot control the stimulus of events, but we are in total control of our reaction to it. I have said many times that I would not wish my life on to anyone, but I would not change anything because I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I did. Throughout this journey I also had training as a hospital

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
in Colorado one of the most enjoyable aspects are the mountains. Hiking, white water rafting in zip lining are just some of the options. The flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs, red rocks amphitheater, Garden of the gods and maybe even climbing a 14,000 foot peak depending on the season. Because I love airplanes my favorite restaurant is the perfect landing at Centennial Airport.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Jim Rohn was my first mentor. I have always believed in coaches and learning from those that have gone before. I have worked with in studied Charlie Tremendous Jones, Tony Robbins, Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, and countless others. I also traveled for a short time with Robert Kiyosaki. I have not seen it as an expense to engage, but as an investment to not only better myself, but to be able to serve my clients at the highest level possible.

Website: www.garybarnesinternational.com

Instagram: garycbarnes54

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/speakersalescoachgarybarnes

Twitter: @garybarnesmax

Facebook: facebook.com/garycbarnes

Youtube: @garybarnesinternational.com

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