Meet Matt Guzman | Emotional Health Teacher

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

Hi Matt, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
The habit of creating new habits.

While managing restaurants for 20 years, I learned from those with more experience. One CEO taught me to be Proactive instead of Reactive. Often, in corporate settings, people are excellent at putting out fires. Problem erupts, solve the problem. But too often, the same problem ignites again and again. This CEO taught me to sit down once a week, and create a plan on how I was going to improve operations. Be Proactive. Don’t wait for the fires to ignite, but strategize and figure out ways to eliminate the particular problem permanently.

In time, by heeding this advice I advanced faster than my peers. Each Monday I would sit down and reassess my plan. It felt slow. At times, it felt discouraging. But as the weeks, months and years passed, I reaped the benefits of proactive planning.

I carried over this process into my current business. Each week I reassess my habits, and analyze which ones are serving me and which ones need an overhaul. The book Atomic Habits was instrumental in helping me implement and improve my habits.

I often hear other authors talking about “finding the time to write.” I don’t waste effort doing that. I don’t find the time, I make the time. I set aside the time each day to invest in my business. This habit, of putting my writing first, is one of the keys to my success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My tagline is: Teaching Children Emotional Health through the Art of Storytelling.

I write middle grade sci-fi. It’s adventure. It’s mystery. It’s action. It’s aliens and the end of the world! I basically wrote the story I wish I had read when I was twelve. My goal is to help children during this difficult stage in their life to navigate their emotions. Help them open up to adults and parents around them about their inner world.

We live in a society where many adults have coping mechanisms created during a stressful childhood that is no longer serving them. I want to help children avoid developing these maladaptive behaviors and teach them how to navigate their negative emotions.

Whether consciously, or unconsciously, authors are teaching readers their viewpoints on life. With technology today, it’s increasingly important to intentionally teach children good emotional habits. If you want escapism, that’s not my work. My work is deep and will keep you thinking long after you’ve read it.

When it comes to overcoming challenges, I had to develop a Growth Mindset from Carol Dweck’s work. In the past, when I failed, it would stop me from moving forward. Now, when I encounter an obstacle, I reexamine my expectation to mitigate the frustration and anger. Then I ask what I am learning from the obstacle so I can apply it to the next one. There will always be obstacles. Now, I don’t tell myself the story that the obstacles are proof I’m going in the wrong direction. I expect them to be part of the journey.

I’ve learned so many lessons. The biggest one is developing patience in the process. Too often, we focus on the end goal, the rewards reaped at the so-called “end.” But the process always takes much much longer than expected. I’ve learned and continue to learn to slow down, enjoy the process, because THAT’S life, not the end goal. We get impatient because our mind fails to accurately predict the future. We skip over all the details. Dan Gilbert explains that beautifully in his book Stumbling on Happiness. So patience. It calms down the anxiety along the way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow! So many places to go! It depends on the person, how active they are. But, I usually start with Balboa Park. It’s such an iconic and beautiful place. A few years ago they opened up the California Tower and the trip up to the top is well worth the view.

I love the beach. Mission Beach of course is a must for new tourists, checking out the roller coaster and walking down the boardwalk. Depending on your health, I love to walk from Pacific Beach to Mission Beach. Pacific Beach along Garnet and the surrounding blocks has a great energetic vibe. Lots of cool restaurants, bars and shops.

After that I would probably take them down to Ocean Beach. I lived there for five years and love the “hippie” vibe. Parking is a bit cramped but walking out on the pier and visiting Sunset Cliffs is a must.

If my best friend loved Mexican food and museums I’d take them to Old Town. Deep California history there.

In the evening, checking out downtown is my favorite. Great night life and cool bars and places to go. I love going to the Shout House: talented musicians and singers playing your favorite songs on Grand Pianos and everyone in the pub singing along.

The next day we’d have to go out on Coronado Island. It feels like you’re taking a short road trip. Crossing through the old Military checkpoint feels a bit like something you’d find in New York. The island is awesome with great sites and places to eat and great views of the harbor.

Going down to Seaport Village and checking out the boats and incoming cruises are a lot of fun. Charting a boat or heading out for a short cruise is quite relaxing.

Okay, that’s the tip of the iceberg! So many awesome things to do in San Diego. I gotta stop thinking about it now, because now I want a vacation!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Tim Ferriss.

Tim Ferriss is an author, entrepreneur, podcaster and investor. Beginning with his book The 4-Hour Workweek, he has inspired me and taught me so many important tools and lessons on how to be successful. I could spend hours describing the ways he has motivated me, but if one is not familiar with his work, I encourage anyone to check him out.

Website: https://authormattguzman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormattguzman/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authormattguzman/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMattGuz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattDahGooz

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@authormattguzman

Other: https://authormattguzman.com/riedenreece/

Image Credits
Chrissy Marie Photography Jeremy Frazier Kim Dingwall