Episode 15
with Carolyn Gross, award-winning keynote speaker and reinvention coach with Creative Life Solutions · February 8, 2022 · 16 min
Reinvention coach Carolyn Gross says that if you are making a major change in your life or business, you need outside support from a group or a coach.
She says you can't solve today's business problems in freak-out mode, so get your confidence and creative energy back before you look at the business.
Carolyn's first book, Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos, was written before 9/11 and took her on a 24-city book tour in 2002 and 2003, before a serious health crisis took her off the stage for about ten years.
Her rule for a crisis you never wanted is to capitalize versus awfulize: work the situation and build from it.
Carolyn hired Kathi Burns when she had no filing system, and Kathi set up tabs and folders that kept past years stored away and current work in front of her.
Published · Updated
What is this episode about?
Kathi Burns, CPO®, Business FLOW Strategist, talks with her longtime friend and colleague Carolyn Gross about how to reinvent your life when a crisis upends your plans. Carolyn is an award-winning keynote speaker who has coached executives, business owners and medical professionals for more than 20 years. Her first book, Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos, took her on a 24-city book tour, and just as her speaking dream was taking off, a serious health crisis took her off the stage for about ten years. She rebuilt her business around helping people put the pieces back together. You'll hear why you shouldn't reinvent alone, why your mindset comes before your business problems, what she means by capitalize versus awfulize, how Kathi organized her files, and why she takes clients away on retreats near Palm Springs.
When life delivers you surprises and crises that you had no desire to experience, you've got to work them. You've got to capitalize versus awfulize.Carolyn Gross
Jump to links and resources · Part of How do I grow my business without burning out? · All episodes · Every guest
What are the key takeaways?
- Carolyn Gross says your hobbies are often a sign of what you really want to do; her interest in natural health and her habit of coaching clients on the table led her to coaching.
- For a major life or business change, she recommends joining a group or hiring a coach, because people get too stuck in their own situation to see where they're stuck.
- Carolyn tells people who think they're too old to start over that 100 is the new 70, so do the thing you've always wanted to dare to do.
- When a business has you overwhelmed, she says to boost your confidence and creative energy first and only then look at the business problems.
- Her rule for an unwanted crisis is to capitalize versus awfulize: work the situation and look for what you can build from it.
- Kathi set up tabs and folders for Carolyn so past years were stored away and current work stayed right in front of her.
- Carolyn runs customized retreats near Palm Springs because stepping away from daily distractions gives people room to plan a new blueprint for their life or business.
This episode is brought to you by the Business Logjam Session
A private 75-minute online session with Kathi Burns to find the one thing holding your business back and leave with your next steps. It is the same F.L.O.W. process Kathi uses with her own clients: Focus on your goals, Locate your logjams, Outline your solutions, Walk away knowing your next steps.
Find What's Holding Me BackInterested in sponsoring the show? Get in touch.Can your hobbies tell you what business to start?
Carolyn Gross thinks they often can: she says your hobbies are an indication of what you really want to be when you grow up. While she worked in sales in the food service industry, her hobby was natural health, and she did mind-body work as a craniosacral therapist. She noticed she always had ideas for people while they were on the table, and realized she was a natural-born coach.
How do you reinvent your life after a crisis?
To reinvent your life after a crisis, start by getting outside support from a group or a coach. Carolyn Gross helps people put the pieces back together when an unexpected crisis leaves them feeling shattered. Her rule is don't do it alone: you need a navigator who can see your life from the outside.
Is it too late to reinvent yourself?
Carolyn says no. Some people give up once they pass a certain age and ask what the point is, and her answer is that 100 is the new 70. She tells them to reinvent themselves and do the thing they've always dreamed of daring to do. Kathi agrees that it's never too late.
What should you do when your business has you overwhelmed?
Don't look at your business while you're freaked out; fix your mindset first. Carolyn Gross says to get your mojo back, boost your confidence and get your creative juices flowing, because you can't solve today's business problems in freak-out mode. Once your mindset is in the right place, then you engage with the problems.
What does capitalize versus awfulize mean?
It means working a crisis you never wanted and building from it rather than dwelling on how awful it is. Carolyn's first book, Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos, had taken her on a 24-city book tour in 2002 and 2003, and she was on her way to her dream of speaking on stages everywhere when a serious health crisis stopped her. She redefined her business model, now coaches business owners with medical practices and doctors, and calls herself a subject matter expert in chaos and rebuilding your life.
How do you set up a filing system for your business?
Set it up so the past is stored away and the present is right in front of you. When Carolyn had no filing system, she hired Kathi Burns, who organized her business with tabs and folders by year and category. Carolyn says she didn't know how to categorize her files effectively until then. Kathi's view is that masters hire masters: get help with what you don't know.
Should you reinvent your life around your passion?
Yes, Kathi and Carolyn agree that you should, because passion gives you the energy to keep going forward. Kathi adds that we're all collaborative and should call on people who have been down the path before us. Carolyn points out that some people found new passions during COVID, such as painting or cooking.
What is a reinvention retreat?
A reinvention retreat takes you out of your everyday environment so you can focus on redefining your life or drawing a new blueprint for your business. Carolyn Gross runs customized retreats from the North Palm Springs area. She says regular coaching sessions work well, but when you sequester yourself away from distractions, the genius happens.
Where does each part of the conversation start?
- 0:00 Meet Carolyn Gross
- 0:48 From natural health to coaching
- 1:54 Putting the pieces back together
- 2:52 Don't do it alone
- 3:55 It's never too late
- 4:18 Fix your mindset first
- 5:26 The keynote dream
- 6:42 Capitalize versus awfulize
- 10:05 Getting her files in order
- 11:32 Reinvent around your passion
- 14:20 Reinvention retreats
- 15:28 Wrap-up
What resources were mentioned?
These episodes continue the same thread as this one: Lia Dunlap, Carly Church, Ginny Priem, Stephanie Wall Morrow also answer the question "How do I grow my business without burning out?", and the rest are the most recent conversations on the show.
MotherhoodEpisode 147How To Build a Village That Supports Your Business and Your Life with Carly Church
See every episode on the podcast archive or filter by topic on the How do I grow my business without burning out? hub.
How can I support the show?
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, or add the RSS feed to any app.
- Rate and review. A rating on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners find the show, and Kathi reads every review.
- Share the episode with one business owner who needs it; the share buttons are at the top of the page.
- Grab a free eBook: 6 Steps to Organize & Energize Your Home, 6 Steps to Organize Your Home Office or 6 Steps to Organize & Energize Your Life.
- Work with Kathi. The Business Logjam Session is a private 75-minute session to find what is holding your business back.
- Be a guest. Apply here if you have a story about clearing the obstacles in your business.
What did they say, word for word?
The transcript below is edited for readability: filler words and false starts are removed and speaker names are added. Nothing was added or summarized.
Read the full transcript +
Kathi: Hi everyone, it's Kathi and I'm back with the Organized and Energized Podcast. I am here with my friend and colleague Carolyn Gross. Carolyn helps executives and companies redefine their leadership strategy as they rise above the chaos. She's an award-winning keynote speaker. She's been coaching executive business owners and medical experts for over two decades. Carolyn's forte is helping people reinvent their life for greater business success in these uncertain times. And here we go. These are a bit uncertain. Thank you so much, Carolyn, for being here. I am just excited to talk to you today.
Carolyn: Thank you, Kathi. It's my pleasure.
Kathi: We have so much to talk about, but let's start out for people who don't know you. What do you do and how did you start doing it? How did you begin your business?
Carolyn: Well, I always say a lot of times when you're going to start your own company, your hobbies will be an indication of what you really want to be when you grow up. So, my hobby when I had a sales job in the food service industry was natural health. I was a craniosacral therapist. I did all this mind-body kind of work. And then eventually what I found out, even though I had healing energy in my hands and I could give people great treatments, was I always had ideas when they were on the table. And so I was just really a natural-born coach. But that's what I did before: it was health and wellness and, of course, sales for a professional career. Did you know that?
Kathi: I did. I knew a little bit. Gosh, we go back so long. So, tell me now, what do you do? What challenge do you help clients resolve?
Carolyn: Well, I'm really somebody who, when people have unexpected crisis in their business, in their life, I'm the person who can help them put the mosaic pieces back, especially if they feel shattered by what's happened. And we all know what's happened in the last two years. I'm just rounding it up to two years at this point. So, I help people really redefine and reinvent their lives. And as you know, so many of us have gone from being out in the world to now being online. So, that's a huge piece of it, too.
Kathi: Absolutely. Absolutely. So, for people who are reinventing themselves, what's the one tip that you can give to people to help them get clarity on how they want to refine and redefine their life?
Carolyn: Well, if you really have to majorly make a change, I think you do need outside support. I do think you need to get into some type of group or hire a coach. And now there is so much access available online. But don't do it alone. Don't do it alone. You need a navigator. You need a navigator.
Don't do it alone. You need a navigator.
Kathi: Yeah. An outside person to see your life, because we get so stuck in the muck of our life that we can't even see clearly where we're stuck oftentimes.
Carolyn: That's right. That's right. So even though it sounds promotional, it's actually actual and factual.
Kathi: I'm with you on that. It takes, masters hire masters. It's one of the chapters in my book. It's so very important that you understand that you can't do everything. You can't be everything. You can't see everything, especially with your life.
Carolyn: Well, and some people are sort of giving up, and what's the point? You know what I mean? Especially if they're past a certain number in their age. And I'm like, girls and boys, 100 is the new 70. Reinvent yourself. Be vibrant. Be fabulous. Do that thing you've always dreamed and wished you would dare to do. Do it.
Kathi: Absolutely. It's never, never, never too late.
Carolyn: Yeah, that's it.
Kathi: Okay. So for those of us who are in our business and we're feeling a little bit depleted and overwhelmed and stressed out and freaked out, what would be a tip that you would give them to help them re-energize what they're doing?
Carolyn: Well, you don't really want to look at your business when you're freaked out. So, the first thing you have to do is get your mojo. You've got to boost your confidence. You've got to get your creative juices flowing. We can't solve the business problems of today when we're in freakout mode. So the first thing is always get your mindset in the right place before you initiate or engage, and then the magic will happen.
We can't solve the business problems of today when we're in freakout mode.
Kathi: Yeah. Shift away. Stop looking at what you don't want to look at. For sure. I love that. So, you've been through a lot, and I know a lot, and we go back. But what would you say is the one lesson that your business has taught you? What would you say is that little aha moment that you've had?
Carolyn: Well, I had such a strong desire to be a keynote speaker on tour, on stages all over the place. Now again, as I said earlier, a lot of times your hobbies will tell you what you really want to be and do with your life, or when you grow up, however old you are when you're watching this. And the thing is, I used to go and see these great keynote speakers, these great, fabulous presenters, and I was like, that is what I want. And then, as you know, I was on the rise, and my first book was Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos, which is, of course, applicable today, but I wrote that before 9/11. And sure enough, I got a book tour, a 24-city book tour from 2002 and 2003. So, I was really on the trajectory of realizing my life dream: performing, changing lives, being on stage. And then I found a lump in my breast and I had stage three cancer. So, here's the tip. The tip is when life delivers you surprises and crises that you had no desire to experience, you've got to work them. You've got to capitalize versus awfulize.
When life delivers you surprises and crises that you had no desire to experience, you've got to work them. You've got to capitalize versus awfulize.
Kathi: That's a good quote. Capitalize versus awfulize. Absolutely. And you're a remarkable example of resilience and what people can do to take crisis, chaos, into calm. So that's what you did to overcome it: you just started putting systems together. I think at that point we were starting to work together a little bit, and you were calling in other people to join forces to help you, right?
Carolyn: Well, I redefined my business model and became a consultant in the medical realms and a medical researcher on the immune system.
Kathi: Now, I know you're a go-to expert to some medical people as well for what you've done.
Carolyn: Yeah. So, it's funny, because I do coach business owners that have medical practices, and doctors as well. So I went away from the stage for, if you will, 10 years of that dream life where it's all about me, and then it became all about health. And now I get to rebuild and re-navigate, because we do have so much chaos in the world, and that is my subject matter. I'm a subject matter expert in chaos and rebuilding your life.
I'm a subject matter expert in chaos and rebuilding your life.
Kathi: I'm with you on that, and you're really, really good at it. So, if you had one big organizing obstacle that you had to overcome in your business life, what would it be and how did you solve it?
Carolyn: Well, I hired you.
Kathi: Oh, well, I wasn't heading there, but thank you.
Carolyn: You're welcome. I mean, I didn't have the systems in place, you know what I mean? It was like, here's 2020. Of course, those files are smaller than 2021. But I didn't have the systems. I didn't realize all the cute and fun things I could do to organize my business: tabs and folders and ways to just have the past be organized and have the present be right in front of you. And you helped me with that. I didn't know how to categorize it effectively.
Kathi: You know, it's funny. We all have different things that we know what to do. And it's been a resounding thing through all my podcasts: number one, masters hire masters. But another thing is that we're all collaborative. A lot of us know things that other people don't. I've actually referred people to you that are on the healing journey. It's like, let's call on the people who've been down that path. And if you want to reinvent your life, do it with something that you're passionate about, because then you'll have the energy to keep going forward.
Carolyn: That's absolutely underlining an exclamation point to what I just said. Have it be something you're passionate about. And some people probably found new passions during COVID because they went, oh, I never knew I loved to paint or cook. You know what I mean? They might have found a new passion. And I know you've always had good food over at your house.
Kathi: We love to cook. Thank goodness. It's a good thing to do, togetherness during COVID. That's for sure. Although we didn't get into the sourdough bread thing. Did you start making sourdough bread?
Carolyn: No. No.
Kathi: I never went there.
Carolyn: That is not in my health profile. I don't eat a lot of wheat.
Kathi: Oh, how about kombucha? Did you start doing kombucha?
Carolyn: Now, of course, the health food stores, there's so many really great companies, but there's nothing like getting kombucha on tap. I will say to people, there's a big difference in the intensity if you get it on tap versus in a bottle, because it just isn't as strong.
Kathi: And it's easy. It's kind of prolific. If you don't watch out, it'll take over your whole cupboard. We're getting ready to start kombucha in our house.
Carolyn: Oh my gosh. That's fabulous.
Kathi: Absolutely. Absolutely. Okay. So, there's going to be a free resource that you're going to offer the people down below. We'll put the link in that. Whatever you want to give, the link will be right there.
Carolyn: Seven tips for reinventing your life. That's going to be the resource.
Kathi: Very, very appropriate right now for all of you who are looking to switch careers or reinvent or readjust or whatever you want to do with your company, or redefine just yourself. Make sure to download the freebie from Carolyn, because she knows what she's talking about, and definitely check it out. Now, okay, my final question is always: what should I have asked you that I didn't ask you?
Carolyn: Oh my gosh. Well, you could have asked me who's my favorite type of client to work with.
Kathi: There you go.
Carolyn: What really became fun when I started doing this reinventing your life is I started doing customized luxe retreats, so that I could pull people out of their environment. Because coaching is fabulous when you work together an hour or two, and the frequency, the consistent frequency, that's really good. But when you go away and you just focus on how are you going to redefine your life, how are you going to do a new blueprint for your business, whatever, and you sequester yourself, the genius happens. So that was something that really became a big part. And now I live in the North Palm Springs area, so I have this beautiful landscape that I get to do that work.
Kathi: I love it. Let's put the link below as well. So, make sure that we have the link underneath this podcast. Because again, going away, I think you're spot on with that, because going away you've now eliminated the distractions from your regular everyday life and you are able to focus, and you're around like-minded people and you're around an amazing coach like Carolyn. So, if you're looking to redefine and you want to go to Palm Springs for a little while, do it. Here we are.
Carolyn: Here we are.
Kathi: It's so good to see you again. You look fabulous.
Carolyn: Thank you.
Kathi: And I thank you so much for being a guest on my show.
Carolyn: Thank you. Absolutely. You're welcome. Have a good one.
Kathi: You too.
Where can I find the links and resources from this episode?
Connect with Carolyn
Organizations and companies
Books and resources
Inspired? Here Are Your Action Steps:
- Look at your hobbies for clues to the work you really want to do.
- Join a group or hire a coach before you make a major life or business change.
- Ask someone outside your situation where they see you getting stuck.
- Stop looking at your business while you're freaked out; rebuild your confidence first.
- When a crisis hits, write down what you can build from it instead of how awful it is.
- Set up tabs and folders so past years are stored away and current work sits in front of you.
- Hire experts for what you don't know: masters hire masters.
- Pick a reinvention you're passionate about so you have the energy to keep going.
- Schedule time away from your everyday surroundings to plan a new blueprint for your life or business.
Frequently asked questions
How can I cope with a crisis?
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Carolyn Gross's approach is to capitalize versus awfulize: when life delivers a crisis you had no desire to experience, work it and look for what you can build from it. She also says not to go through a major change alone, and to get support from a group or a coach.
What's the first step in reinventing your life or business?
+
Get outside support. Carolyn says that if you're making a major change you need a group or a coach, someone who can see your life from the outside, because we get too stuck in our own situation to see clearly where we're stuck.
Is it ever too late to start over?
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Not in Carolyn's view. Her line is that 100 is the new 70, so do the thing you've always dreamed of doing.
What should you do when your business has you overwhelmed?
+
Don't look at the business while you're in freak-out mode. Carolyn says to boost your confidence and get your creative energy back first, because you can't solve today's problems from a panicked mindset.
How did Kathi help Carolyn get organized?
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Carolyn hired Kathi when she had no filing system. Kathi set up tabs and folders so the past years were stored away and current work was right in front of her.
Who is talking in this episode?
About the Host, Kathi Burns
Kathi Burns, CPO®, is a Business FLOW Strategist based in San Diego. For the last 20+ years, Kathi has helped clients create systems they can stick to. She is the author of How to Master Your Muck, Organizing With Tetris and Home Organization, The Smart Guide, and co-author of four more titles; all are in Kathi's shop. Kathi's business has been featured on Good Morning America, and her advice has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes and Gardens and Entrepreneur Magazine.
More about Kathi · Shop Kathi's books · Business Logjam Session · Apply to be a guest
About Carolyn Gross
Carolyn Gross, known as the Chaos Ninja, is an award-winning keynote speaker and coach with Creative Life Solutions. She has coached executives, business owners and medical professionals for more than 20 years and helps people redefine and reinvent their lives after an unexpected crisis. Before coaching, she worked in sales in the food service industry and did mind-body work as a craniosacral therapist. Her first book, Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos, was written before 9/11 and took her on a 24-city book tour in 2002 and 2003. A serious health crisis then took her off the stage for about ten years. She is now a patient advocate and lives in the North Palm Springs area.
Want help putting this into practice?
Book a Business Logjam Session with Kathi
A private 75-minute online session to find the one thing holding your business back and leave with your next steps, using the same F.L.O.W. process Kathi uses with her own clients: Focus on your goals, Locate your logjams, Outline your solutions, Walk away knowing your next steps.
Prefer to start small? Download Kathi's free eBook 6 Steps to Organize & Energize Your Life.
Published · Updated
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