Live your Great Story - Stand Out and Belong, with Carol Ross

Are you stuck in a story that's too small for you?

Do you dream of getting off the hamster wheel that you’ve been on for decades, but don’t know how?
Are you convinced that a bigger, richer, more meaningful life awaits you, but you can’t see the path to it?
Have you put the longings of your soul “on hold” to attend to the demands of everyday life?

Your Own Worst Enemy

A top performer is dogged by the feeling of “never good enough,” even as colleagues express their appreciation and bosses continue to give bonuses and awards.

A consultant with a thriving practice finds work/life balance elusive, yearning for more connection to family. Driven by a life-long perfectionist streak, she never stops thinking about work, even when she’s off duty.

An executive with an MBA from a prestigious university has had multiple setbacks, both personally and professionally. He longs to feel the hope and optimism that he once had for the future. He can't shake the feeling that he is "half the man" he could be.

A stay-at-home mother worries that her past, compartmentalized work life will remain her only contribution to the world.

Each of these clients came to me seeking a more meaningful, authentic life. Each had entrenched patterns of thought, feeling and behavior that weren't serving them.

The starting point for their journey? To examine and understand the genesis of old life stories they’d been telling themselves, limiting falsehoods that they had outgrown.

Over time, these clients:

Found light where there was darkness, compassion where there was judgment, and thrill where there was worry.
Changed how they reacted to situations that would have triggered their habitual, defeating patterns.
Made new choices, leading to more connection and less separation in their lives.

I've been there - getting in my own way.

It's what led to burning out in 2011. As part of my recovery from burnout, I worked on my raw materials—the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that sabotaged my best intentions.

I busted through the stories I had been telling myself for decades. I broke through entrenched patterns. It was as if I had upgraded my “operating system.” Everything became easier. And when this happened, I was able to identify moments in my past that led me away from a more meaningful life.

What happens when you continue to allow old patterns to run your life?

The results can be discouraging or even disastrous. Chances are, you will:

Settle for much less than what is possible for you.
Waste inordinate amounts of energy chasing after the wrong things or immersed in struggle. Overwhelmed and frustrated, you stay stuck.
Continue to feed your “victim story” for years to come, frozen in self-sabotage, even as you continue to yearn for what seems unattainable.

Let’s shift your emotions and thoughts, and change your behavioral patterns, so you can step into a place of grace, ease and power. When you do, it’s likely you’ll find your deepest desires are possible.

Your Great Story Lab

A Mastermind Leading to Remarkable Breakthroughs

This four-month group-coaching program gives you the foundation for making dramatic change while being part of a supportive community that will inspire and trigger your best thinking.

Get ready to:

Uncover and remove the patterns that keep your life story “small” (in victim or overcoming mode) as you upgrade your “operating system” to establish new habits that nourish and empower you.
Experience and trust the ease of synchronicity.
Replace struggle with joy.
Free yourself from the seduction of excessive DOING. Step into the thrill and fun of creative energy.
Reclaim your power to change. Truly be the author of your story, where you create your reality—past, present and future.
Come home to yourself. Return to a sense of wholeness and oneness by reconnecting to forgotten parts of you.

The Details

Who is this program for?

This program is for you if…

Your negative self-talk still creeps in, sometimes with a vengeance when you try to make a significant change in your life. You are ready to stop getting caught up in the familiar patterns of your life are determined to claim new levels of confidence, ease, passion and freedom.
You are tired of getting stuck, and are no longer willing to settle for the status quo. You are ready to crack the code of your life and break free of limiting patterns of behavior, and the pain of old stories.
You are ready and willing to dive in and shift the "raw materials" of your internal world---your beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, feelings, decisions and choices.
You still find yourself getting caught in the trap of an old story--being the victim of circumstances that are beyond your control. You are ready to take a new level of responsibility for being the author of your story and your life.
You are ready to elevate your resonance and let that fuel your future. You are no longer willing to allow your past to dictate your future.

How does this program work?

This 5-month Program consists of:

Content covering three areas:

1) Revealing the terrain of limitations. This includes providing a framework for understanding your unique Victim Story, so that you can recognize it, forgive it and move beyond.

2) Providing the substance for your Great Story by uncovering your genuine passion, detailing a specific triumph, and celebrating what comes natural to you.

3) Making your Great Story real, through day-to-day choices and habits.

Eleven Live Group Coaching Calls

These Zoom calls will be equally facilitated by a seasoned coaching team: Carol Ross, Angela Trainor, Justine Williams, and Irv Kooris. Each call will be led by two coaches. These calls are designed to deepen your understanding of your soul’s journey, with a step-by-step process, group discussion, and real-time coaching. During the real-time coaching, you'll see a participant being coached on a specific aspect of the Great Story journey.

These two-hour calls start at 1pm ET on the following dates: 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25. All calls will be recorded in case you miss the live call.

Individually Tailored Deep Integration.

You have multiple opportunities to deepen your learning and integration and at the same time, form friendships. These opportunities include the following:

Study buddies and study groups. We encourage you to partner with another participant or form a small group. This allows for additional discussion and exploration outside of the group calls.
Mentors. Past participants of Live Your Great Story have agreed to mentor you as you go through the program. Mentors will meet with you for a total of four times during the program to answer questions and provide advice.
Program assistants. We will have several coaches to assist during the group calls, by facilitating breakouts. They been trained in the Great Story work and will be available for supporting participants outside of the group calls. For example, a program assistant may facilitate a study group.

For participants who are coaches, click here:

<Larah, the following is for the COACH TRACK>

The focus of this program is a deep dive into personal self development, you will also benefit professionally as a coach. For the first few weeks, you’ll be solely focused on the work for yourself. Then you’ll be invited to a series of coaching supervision calls, where you will receive guidance and mentorship on how to bring this work into your coaching practice. The Live Your Great Story program will have a mix of coaches and other leaders (not coaches). You’ll be matched with another participant who is not a coach. You can support them by applying and practicing the Great Story tools and, in turn, they’ll support you in your learning.

Here's how it works:

You will be asked to coach another participant during the program, for a total of five coaching sessions during April and May. After you have completed your the five coaching sessions, there is no expectation that you will continue coaching this participant.
We will have five Group Coaching Supervision calls on 4/6, 4/20, 5/4, 5/18, and 6/1. These two-hour Zoom calls will be co-led by our leader team and will be a blend of debriefing your experience of coaching a fellow participant, coaching demonstrations, and giving you feedback on your coaching.

For participants who are not coaches, click here.

<Larah, the following is the NON-COACH TRACK>

We expect that half of the participants of the Live Your Great Story program will be seasoned coaches who are interested, like you, in personal growth. You’ll be matched with one of these participants to receive individual coaching. They will support you by applying and practicing the Great Story tools and, in turn, you’ll support them in their learning.

Here's how it works:

You will receive a total of five coaching sessions during April and May. These one-on-one sessions are intended to give you individual attention on the work of uncovering parts of your Great Story.
After the five coaching sessions, there is no expectation that the coaching will continue.

Comprehensive Online Program, Breakthrough to Your Great Story, Plus Supplemental Materials.

Materials include 26 audio recordings from the online program, "Breakthrough to Your Great Story". These recordings outline a proven step-by-step methodology for profound change.

Before each call, you will be expected to listen to specific recordings. During our Live Group Coaching calls, we will debrief material from the audio recordings and apply the concepts to your life. You will have access to the online program for a full year.

In addition, you'll receive customized supplemental materials (e.g., tips and tools) to further increase your learning.

Two Check-ins to Keep You Are On Track.

A midpoint check-in will be held half-way through the program and a final check-in will be held at the end of the five-month program. During these sessions, you’ll have a chance to ask questions and get individual coaching on your Great Story from one of the program leaders.

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Culminating Half-Day Virtual Retreat

We'll finish the Live Your Great Story Program with a half-day virtual retreat. This will be our time to weave together all the threads of your Great Story into a comprehensive, beautiful map. We will celebrate the work we've done together and shine the light on who you are becoming. More details to come.

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An Intimate Community of Like-Minded Professionals/Fellow Travelers.

This group coaching program is limited to 16 people, who are dedicated to the path of taking full responsibility for their lives. Through shared stories, in a supportive environment, participants have the opportunity to form life-long bonds.

How is this program different?

Most coaching programs start with self-awareness (e.g., who you are, what gets in your way) and expect change to emerge from that awareness. (“We’ve identified it and now change!”) But that’s not enough. In Live Your Great Story Program, you will be guided beyond self-awareness with a 4-step Responsibility Model that results in lasting change.
You will learn to listen to all parts of yourself, without judgment, so that your choices and decisions come from a richer, deeper place. This naturally moves you toward connection, rather than separation.
You will get to the root cause of entrenched patterns. You will uncover a wounding event early in life that set in motion your unique Victim Story. This is just one of the internal narratives that has played out externally, over decades, and kept you in the status quo.

Investment in Yourself: $3497

I accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and checks.

Registration

Your Great Story Lab is limited to 14 participants. If you are interested in this program, we'll start with a short call to determine if the program is a fit for your needs. I'll also answer questions you have about the program.

Get Started Now

This program is for you if…

Your negative self-talk still creeps in, sometimes with a vengeance when you try to make a significant change in your life. You are ready to stop getting caught up in the familiar patterns of your life are determined to claim new levels of confidence, ease, passion and freedom.
You are tired of getting stuck, and are no longer willing to settle for the status quo. You are ready to crack the code of your life and break free of limiting patterns of behavior, and the pain of old stories.
You are ready and willing to dive in and shift the "raw materials" of your internal world---your beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, feelings, decisions and choices.
You still find yourself getting caught in the trap of an old story--being the victim of circumstances that are beyond your control. You are ready to take a new level of responsibility for being the author of your story and your life.
You are ready to elevate your resonance and let that fuel your future. You are no longer willing to allow your past to dictate your future.

Testimonials

The Great Story framework is an incredibly practical, applied set of tools for better living. I am still surprised at home much it has impacted my relationships, how I experience my everyday life, and how I show up to the important projects.

Lisa Schwaller

Chief Strategy and Learning Officer, StrengthsDetective

I’ve long felt as though I kept running up against the walls of an invisible box. I could tell that something was holding me back, but I couldn’t see what it was. Now, I not only see what the “walls” are, they are falling down…This is deep and soul-searching work!

Robin Pruitt

General Counsel-turned Healthy Food Consultant

If you’re committed to doing the work, making yourself better and freeing yourself to find the Great Story you were truly meant to know, I can’t recommend this program enough.

Scott

Journalist

This program helped me see how I imprisoned myself and how to set myself free.

Ann Bradford

Business and Organizational Consultant/Coach, Lakewood, CO

Carol took me on a clear path toward personal growth, with an empathic, fierce and “just what I need” way of coaching. I walked away with a simple and profound understanding: I am not broken. I am. If you are willing and ready to face yourself and fight for your true self, rather than hide, this divinely guided journey is what you need.

Mark Ambrozic

Network Engineer

Sarah's Story

Listen as Sarah B., Communications and Fundraising Professional + Outdoor Enthusiast in the West, tells her story in her own words.

Cathy's Story

The pride I took in earning my master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University continues to this day.

That effort allowed me to work as a newspaper reporter for several exciting years in the 80s and 90s, and I’m sure it helped me land a job in advertising when the newspaper industry changed and jobs were scarce.

But even as I was making my way in the world and earning a living, I knew somehow that reporting and copywriting used only some of my natural abilities.

Read the rest of Cathy's story...

The problem was, I couldn’t seem to uncover the youthful, joyous spirit I had as a younger person and apply that to me as an adult. So I spent years in jobs that felt kind of right but that frustrated me a lot, because they were encased in struggle and a feeling of being alienated from the very core of my being.

Eventually, I became a stay-at-home mother and a self-published writer. Not bad, but by 2015, I was really worried I had little to offer the world beyond what I had already done. Life seemed restrictive and even lonely.

I joined the Live Your Great Story Program reluctantly. Who wants look at their blind spots and talk about them with others? But it felt safe and I’m glad I did it. We learned in this program that there are options and ways of being that exist beyond the struggles. We learned to pay attention to the emotions behind key events—scary territory—and it helped. I began to relax and find strength, not defeat, in my deepest wounds and challenges.

I thank Carol and the Great Story teachings for giving me the ability to trust that I have it in me to contribute my real talents to others and do this for a living!

Currently, I work as a writing coach and freelance copy editor, working with clients who are sharing their triumphs and gifts with the world. I have also finished another book—a Kindle short about my struggles with personal finance—and I can’t wait to work with others on their special projects in the coming year!

Rafael's Story

Rafael had everything he needed to go to the next level in his career, except for one thing—confidence. He was his own biggest obstacle to moving forward in his career.

While his experience in startups and mature companies clearly pointed to a keen ability to contribute in the C-suite, he was rooted in pessimism about the opportunity to move beyond his VP role.

He yearned to have more impact.

Read the rest of Rafael's story...

Rafael admitted that he limited his possibilities–even sabotaging opportunities–before they could unfold, but didn’t know what to do about it. In fact, he knew that he had not been his best self for a long time.

As a result of work together, Rafael regained his confidence. More importantly he saw the seeds of self-sabotaging patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that were planted decades ago, and began to dismantle his Victim Story and break free of struggle and proving.

Rafael made a huge breakthrough in reclaiming both power and responsibility for authoring his life. A week later, he heard about a new leadership position in his company that played to his innate talents as well as his experience and passion for building companies, products and teams. He decided to interview for the job.

As you might imagine, I was thrilled when Rafael emailed me that he had been offered the top role of president of a fledgling startup company–his dream job.

He went on to say that before our work together, he would not have been in the right mental place to get the job. He attributed our coaching to helping him “make many changes that needed to happen – for this and for many other things today and in the future.”

Nothing gives me more joy than to see my clients truly thrive, by being who they really are, not who their Negative Ego would claim them to be. Rafael shook off his Negative Ego and in doing so, opened up doors to new opportunities that had been previously unimaginable. Hooray!

* Rafael is not his actual name.

Investment in Yourself: $3497

I accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and checks.

Registration

Your Great Story Lab is limited to 14 participants. If you are interested in this program, we'll start with a short call to determine if the program is a fit for your needs. I'll also answer questions you have about the program.

Get Started Now

PS. If you are ready to transform your life, give yourself the gift of Your Great Story Lab. When I ran this program last year, it was a profound experience, infused with magic and mystery, for a select group of kindred spirits. I expect it to be the same this year--or better. Will you join me? We start the journey on February 3.

Contact me with any questions

Are you stuck in a story that's too small for you?

Do you dream of getting off the hamster wheel that you’ve been on for decades, but don’t know how?

Are you convinced that a bigger, richer, more meaningful life awaits you, but you can’t see the path to it?

Have you put the longings of your soul “on hold” to attend to the demands of everyday life?

Your Own Worst Enemy

A top performer is dogged by the feeling of “never good enough,” even as colleagues express their appreciation and bosses continue to give bonuses and awards.

A consultant with a thriving practice finds work/life balance elusive, yearning for more connection to family. Driven by a life-long perfectionist streak, she never stops thinking about work, even when she’s off duty.

An executive with an MBA from a prestigious university has had multiple setbacks, both personally and professionally. He longs to feel the hope and optimism that he once had for the future. He can't shake the feeling that he is "half the man" he could be.

A stay-at-home mother worries that her past, compartmentalized work life will remain her only contribution to the world.

Each of these clients came to me seeking a more meaningful, authentic life. Each had entrenched patterns of thought, feeling and behavior that weren't serving them.

The starting point for their journey? To examine and understand the genesis of old life stories they’d been telling themselves, limiting falsehoods that they had outgrown.

Over time, these clients:

Found light where there was darkness, compassion where there was judgment, and thrill where there was worry.

Changed how they reacted to situations that would have triggered their habitual, defeating patterns.

Made new choices, leading to more connection and less separation in their lives.

I've been there - getting in my own way.

It's what led to burning out in 2011. As part of my recovery from burnout, I worked on my raw materials—the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that sabotaged my best intentions.

I busted through the stories I had been telling myself for decades. I broke through entrenched patterns. It was as if I had upgraded my “operating system.” Everything became easier. And when this happened, I was able to identify moments in my past that led me away from a more meaningful life.

What happens when you continue to allow old patterns to run your life?

The results can be discouraging or even disastrous. Chances are, you will:

Settle for much less than what is possible for you.

Waste inordinate amounts of energy chasing after the wrong things or immersed in struggle. Overwhelmed and frustrated, you stay stuck.

Continue to feed your “victim story” for years to come, frozen in self-sabotage, even as you continue to yearn for what seems unattainable.

Let’s shift your emotions and thoughts, and change your behavioral patterns, so you can step into a place of grace, ease and power. When you do, it’s likely you’ll find your deepest desires are possible.

Your Great Story Lab

A Mastermind Leading to Remarkable Breakthroughs

This four-month group-coaching program gives you the foundation for making dramatic change while being part of a supportive community that will inspire and trigger your best thinking.

Get ready to:

Uncover and remove the patterns that keep your life story “small” (in victim or overcoming mode) as you upgrade your “operating system” to establish new habits that nourish and empower you.

Experience and trust the ease of synchronicity.

Replace struggle with joy.

Free yourself from the seduction of excessive DOING. Step into the thrill and fun of creative energy.

Reclaim your power to change. Truly be the author of your story, where you create your reality—past, present and future.

Come home to yourself. Return to a sense of wholeness and oneness by reconnecting to forgotten parts of you.

The Details

Who is this program for?

Your negative self-talk still creeps in, sometimes with a vengeance when you try to make a significant change in your life. You are ready to stop getting caught up in the familiar patterns of your life are determined to claim new levels of confidence, ease, passion and freedom.

You are tired of getting stuck, and are no longer willing to settle for the status quo. You are ready to crack the code of your life and break free of limiting patterns of behavior, and the pain of old stories.

You are ready and willing to dive in and shift the "raw materials" of your internal world---your beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, feelings, decisions and choices.

You still find yourself getting caught in the trap of an old story--being the victim of circumstances that are beyond your control. You are ready to take a new level of responsibility for being the author of your story and your life.

You are ready to elevate your resonance and let that fuel your future. You are no longer willing to allow your past to dictate your future.

How does this program work?

How is this program different?

Investment in Yourself: $3497

I accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and checks.

Registration

Your Great Story Lab is limited to 14 participants. If you are interested in this program, we'll start with a short call to determine if the program is a fit for your needs. I'll also answer questions you have about the program.

This program is for you if…

Your negative self-talk still creeps in, sometimes with a vengeance when you try to make a significant change in your life. You are ready to stop getting caught up in the familiar patterns of your life are determined to claim new levels of confidence, ease, passion and freedom.

You are tired of getting stuck, and are no longer willing to settle for the status quo. You are ready to crack the code of your life and break free of limiting patterns of behavior, and the pain of old stories.

You are ready and willing to dive in and shift the "raw materials" of your internal world---your beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, feelings, decisions and choices.

You still find yourself getting caught in the trap of an old story--being the victim of circumstances that are beyond your control. You are ready to take a new level of responsibility for being the author of your story and your life.

You are ready to elevate your resonance and let that fuel your future. You are no longer willing to allow your past to dictate your future.

Testimonials

Lisa Schwaller

Robin Pruitt

Scott

Ann Bradford

Mark Ambrozic

Sarah's Story

Listen as Sarah B., Communications and Fundraising Professional + Outdoor Enthusiast in the West, tells her story in her own words.

Cathy's Story

The pride I took in earning my master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University continues to this day.

That effort allowed me to work as a newspaper reporter for several exciting years in the 80s and 90s, and I’m sure it helped me land a job in advertising when the newspaper industry changed and jobs were scarce.

But even as I was making my way in the world and earning a living, I knew somehow that reporting and copywriting used only some of my natural abilities.

Read the rest of Cathy's story...

Rafael's Story

Rafael had everything he needed to go to the next level in his career, except for one thing—confidence. He was his own biggest obstacle to moving forward in his career.

While his experience in startups and mature companies clearly pointed to a keen ability to contribute in the C-suite, he was rooted in pessimism about the opportunity to move beyond his VP role.

He yearned to have more impact.

Read the rest of Rafael's story...

Investment in Yourself: $3497

I accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and checks.

Registration

Your Great Story Lab is limited to 14 participants. If you are interested in this program, we'll start with a short call to determine if the program is a fit for your needs. I'll also answer questions you have about the program.

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