Year-End Writing Retreat

with Tara Mohr

Year-End Writing Retreat

with Tara Mohr

What a year it has been. As it comes to a close, it is time to integrate, reflect, grieve, dig, hope, and vision. 

For that, I want to invite you to join me for a Year-End Writing Retreat. 

I know there is nothing like writing to help us process our experiences and emotions, find our direction, and imagine anew. And there is nothing like a warm gathering of women working and living with purpose to buoy us up and help us heal. 

In my first ever Year-End Writing Retreat, we will meet together in community, to surface what has been simmering in each of us. I know that for all of us, there is so much waiting there to be articulated, felt, and moved on from. 

This will also be a time to turn to the important writing you’d like to do — whether personal or professional writing, creative writing or more linear work — the retreat will offer you a supported space to do it. 

Who is this for?

Anyone who wants to bring more reflection, healing and integration of this year’s experience into the close of this year.

Anyone who is longing to write more, or give some time to a writing project, or change your relationship with writing to a more flowing and easeful one.

Anyone who is longing for warm community and connection. 

Who is this for?

Anyone who wants to bring more reflection, healing and integration of this year’s experience into the close of this year.

Anyone who is longing to write more, or give some time to a writing project, or change your relationship with writing to a more flowing and easeful one.

Anyone who is longing for warm community and connection. 

My Story

There are many strands of experience I bring to this retreat. The experience of growing up loving writing – but then developing such fear and self-doubt around my work. The experience of receiving harsh criticism from teachers or professors – and losing confidence in my voice. The experience of taking a seven year sabbatical from writing, sponsored by my inner critic. The experience of endeavoring to get my writing back – to find the flow and joy again – and doing it!

In more recent years, I’ve had the experience of writing consistently over a decade – learning about writing online, writing for an audience, and yet still writing for myself. I’ve gone on the adventure of writing and publishing a book, and seeing it make its way in the world.

All of this will be woven into how I approach our time writing together.

About Tara

I’m the author of Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead, published by Penguin, and named a Best Book of the Year by Apple’s iBooks. I am also the author of Your Other Names, a book of contemplative poetry. 

I am creator and teacher of the acclaimed Playing Big leadership program for women, and Playing Big Facilitators Training for coaches, mentors and managers who support women in their personal and professional growth.

The Playing Big model has been featured on The Today Show and in publications ranging from The New York Times to Oprah.com to Harvard Business Review

I love to share this work live with audiences, and have been a speaker at venues and companies including Watermark, TedxWomen, and Emerging Women Live. 

The Playing Big model has been part of leadership development programs at Starbucks, Google, Aetna, Intuit, Bank of America, and many other companies, and also incorporated into middle and high schools around the world, supporting girls’ leadership development.

I earned my MBA from Stanford University and my undergraduate degree in English literature from Yale. My coaching training and certification is from CTI, the Co-Active Training Institute. All of those educational experiences, combined with a lifelong love of personal growth work, inform the Playing Big approach.

I’m a mom who has been shaped by the process of watching two little people grow, now ages 3 & 6. I live in San Francisco where I love long hilly walks, strong green tea, and wearing cozy sweaters in the fog.

About Tara

I’m the author of Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead, published by Penguin, and named a Best Book of the Year by Apple’s iBooks. I am also the author of Your Other Names, a book of contemplative poetry. 

I am creator and teacher of the acclaimed Playing Big leadership program for women, and Playing Big Facilitators Training for coaches, mentors and managers who support women in their personal and professional growth.

The Playing Big model has been featured on The Today Show and in publications ranging from The New York Times to Oprah.com to Harvard Business Review

I love to share this work live with audiences, and have been a speaker at venues and companies including Watermark, TedxWomen, and Emerging Women Live. 

The Playing Big model has been part of leadership development programs at Starbucks, Google, Aetna, Intuit, Bank of America, and many other companies, and also incorporated into middle and high schools around the world, supporting girls’ leadership development.

I earned my MBA from Stanford University and my undergraduate degree in English literature from Yale. My coaching training and certification is from CTI, the Co-Active Training Institute. All of those educational experiences, combined with a lifelong love of personal growth work, inform the Playing Big approach.

I’m a mom who has been shaped by the process of watching two little people grow, now ages 3 & 6. I live in San Francisco where I love long hilly walks, strong green tea, and wearing cozy sweaters in the fog.

The Playing Big Model Has Garnered Attention In:

10 of My Convictions About Writing

1. What defines us as writers is simply that we write — frequently or rarely. We are writers in that we endeavor to put our experiences, questions, sentiments, into words on the page. 

2. Creativity exists naturally in all of us — but in most of us, it gets blocked. We often need support unblocking and unlocking our words

3. Creative recovery is a thing. I’ve been through my own, and am always reaching for more of that recovery. Creative recovery can happen for us — boldly and ferociously.

4. Writing heals. As we translate lived experience into words, we make meaning out of it. We become the authors of our experience, the creators of it in some sense, in its second life on the page. 

5. For women, every act of articulation is an act of empowerment, because we are in the midst of an exodus from generations of being silenced. 

6. The writing work that lands most strongly in the world is born of authenticity and courage — not from polishing, perfecting, or trying to guess what readers want.

7. To unleash the flow of words, we have to write for ourselves and ourselves alone. Impact on the world or accolades may come, but only if we’ve learned to write for ourselves first. 

8. Editing and craft are merely good assistants to the more important qualities of authenticity and courage.

9. If writing feels stilted, clunky, frustrating, futile, that’s okay. We just need to dip beneath the surface in you to the place where the words are ever flowing. The flow is always tappable, and community, prompts, and structure — both in how and what we write — can help us tap the spring. 

10. Most importantly: your story and life experience, your ideas and inquiries are enough to make for plenty to say. That’s so hard to see in ourselves sometimes, but I can promise you, it’s true.

10 of My Convictions About Writing

1. What defines us as writers is simply that we write — frequently or rarely. We are writers in that we endeavor to put our experiences, questions, sentiments, into words on the page. 

2. Creativity exists naturally in all of us — but in most of us, it gets blocked. We often need support unblocking and unlocking our words

3. Creative recovery is a thing. I’ve been through my own, and am always reaching for more of that recovery. Creative recovery can happen for us — boldly and ferociously.

4. Writing heals. As we translate lived experience into words, we make meaning out of it. We become the authors of our experience, the creators of it in some sense, in its second life on the page. 

5. For women, every act of articulation is an act of empowerment, because we are in the midst of an exodus from generations of being silenced. 

6. The writing work that lands most strongly in the world is born of authenticity and courage — not from polishing, perfecting, or trying to guess what readers want.

7. To unleash the flow of words, we have to write for ourselves and ourselves alone. Impact on the world or accolades may come, but only if we’ve learned to write for ourselves first. 

8. Editing and craft are merely good assistants to the more important qualities of authenticity and courage.

9. If writing feels stilted, clunky, frustrating, futile, that’s okay. We just need to dip beneath the surface in you to the place where the words are ever flowing. The flow is always tappable, and community, prompts, and structure — both in how and what we write — can help us tap the spring. 

10. Most importantly: your story and life experience, your ideas and inquiries are enough to make for plenty to say. That’s so hard to see in ourselves sometimes, but I can promise you, it’s true.

How It Works

We will gather on Zoom each day (10am – 12 pm Pacific) of the retreat. 

We’ll have daily teachings about writing, creativity, and personal growth. 

I’ll share writing prompts that help get the juices flowing (no more writer’s block feelings or “what should I write?” stuckness!). 

We’ll have dedicated writing time together, during which you can write on a question or prompt from me OR turn to your own current writing project in this supported space. 

After a renewing break, we’ll reconvene for an optional, daily Q&A and Coaching session (2-3 pm Pacific). We will talk about your questions and dilemmas about writing, and coach around stuck areas. We’ll talk about composing, editing, strengthening voice, writing for ourselves and writing for our work, creativity recovery, working with the inner critic when we write –- and much more.

.Schedule:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Dec. 28-30)
Writing Sessions: 10 AM – 12 PM Pacific
Q&A and Coaching: 2 PM – 3 PM Pacific

Thursday (Dec. 31)
Writing Session: 10 AM – 12 PM Pacific
Celebration & Closing: 12 PM – 1 PM Pacific

*You can attend sessions live or watch or listen to recordings

How It Works

We will gather on Zoom each day (10am – 12 pm Pacific) of the retreat. 

We’ll have daily teachings about writing, creativity, and personal growth. 

I’ll share writing prompts that help get the juices flowing (no more writer’s block feelings or “what should I write?” stuckness!). 

We’ll have dedicated writing time together, during which you can write on a question or prompt from me OR turn to your own current writing project in this supported space. 

After a renewing break, we’ll reconvene for an optional, daily Q&A and Coaching session (2-3 pm Pacific). We will talk about your questions and dilemmas about writing, and coach around stuck areas. We’ll talk about composing, editing, strengthening voice, writing for ourselves and writing for our work, creativity recovery, working with the inner critic when we write –- and much more.

.Schedule:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Dec. 28-30)
Writing Sessions: 10 AM – 12 PM Pacific
Q&A and Coaching: 2 PM – 3 PM Pacific

Thursday (Dec. 31)
Writing Session: 10 AM – 12 PM Pacific
Celebration & Closing: 12 PM – 1 PM Pacific

*You can attend sessions live or watch or listen to recordings

Retreat Elements

Writing prompts and exercises from Tara to get the words flowing and open up your creativity – no matter how inaccessible it feels now!

Focused writing sessions where you can write on prompts or questions from Tara, OR work on your own writing project – with accountability, dedicated time, and community support.

Q&A’s with Tara about composing, blogging, writing for business, the book publishing process, editing, writing routines and much more.

Our online forum where you can connect with other participants in your local area or your field (hosted outside of mainstream social media for a quiet, focused space).

Spotlight coaching with Tara around your writing dilemmas, stuck places, or other challenges.

Access to all recordings and materials for as long as you desire – so you can rewatch sessions – or even plan your own retreat for yourself in the new year!

What Leading Women Have to Say…

Tara is a brilliant Playing Big guide. She challenges women using courage and compassion to stop playing small and take a leap to achieve the breakthrough that they know is possible but don’t know how to make it happen. Tara has a game changing approach.

Trudy Bourgeois
President & CEO The Center for Workforce Excellence

At last this very important book has been written, encouraging women to take up all the creative space they deserve in the world. I hope it will empower legions of women to step into their greatness. I couldn’t be happier about this publication.

Elizabeth Gilbert
Author of Big Magic and Eat, Pray, Love

With clarity, warmth and deep wisdom, Tara shines a light on our blocks to manifesting our potential, and offers practical, well-honed strategies that move us toward fulfillment. This is a book that can transform the trajectory of your life.

Tara Brach, PH.D.
Author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge

What Leading Women Have to Say…

Tara is a brilliant Playing Big guide. She challenges women using courage and compassion to stop playing small and take a leap to achieve the breakthrough that they know is possible but don’t know how to make it happen. Tara has a game changing approach.

Trudy Bourgeois
President & CEO The Center for Workforce Excellence

At last this very important book has been written, encouraging women to take up all the creative space they deserve in the world. I hope it will empower legions of women to step into their greatness. I couldn’t be happier about this publication.

Elizabeth Gilbert
Author of Big Magic and Eat, Pray, Love

With clarity, warmth and deep wisdom, Tara shines a light on our blocks to manifesting our potential, and offers practical, well-honed strategies that move us toward fulfillment. This is a book that can transform the trajectory of your life.

Tara Brach, PH.D.
Author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge

Join us for a
Year-End Writing Retreat
December 28-31, 2020

Registration is now closed. Contact us at playingbig@taramohr.com

Join us for a
Year-End Writing Retreat – December 28-31, 2020

Registration is now closed. Contact us at playingbig@taramohr.com

FAQ

Logistics

What are the dates and call times for this retreat?

The retreat will run from December 28 – 31, 2020.

On Dec 28 – 30 (Monday-Wednesday) we’ll meet from 10am – 12pm Pacific for our Writing Session, and then from 2 – 3 pm Pacific for our Q&A / Spotlight Coaching Session. 

On our final day, Thursday, Dec 31st, we’ll meet from 10am – 12pm Pacific for our Writing Session, and then 12 – 1pm for an optional celebratory shared meal (or snack, depending on your time zone!).

To see how these times convert to your time zone, check here.

What’s the structure for each day?

Each day will include dedicated writing time, inspiration, practical teachings, and time for community and connection.

We’ll begin each day with a short centering/grounding time so you can fully arrive, followed by some opening teaching from Tara.

We’ll then do guided warm up writing prompts (and you’ll be surprised at how much they open things up and get the words flowing for you!).

Then, we’ll turn to focused writing time together, where you’ll have dedicated time and space to write, alongside a supportive community.

In our writing sessions, there will also be optional opportunities for small group discussion and sharing.

After a renewing break, Tara will host a Q&A and Coaching time where you can bring your questions, dilemmas, stuck places about writing, creativity, publishing and more.

What’s the time commitment for this?

You can attend whichever parts work for you. We have a two hour community writing / learning time each day, followed by a break time and then a one hour Q&A and Coaching session. Beyond that, you can spend additional time writing during the retreat days, using the tools and ideas we are covering in the sessions — that’s up to you!

What if I can’t attend the live sessions?

All of our sessions will be recorded and posted within 24 hours, available as video and audio recordings, so you can participate in the timing that works for you. We also provide full written transcripts. You’ll have access to these recordings for a full year (plus the option to download all materials as yours to keep forever) so you can also re-create the retreat experience for yourself anytime you could use some extra support. If you watch the recordings rather than join live, you can also participate in our interactive online discussion group as an alternative way to connect with other retreat participants.

I’m outside of North America. How does the course work for women living in other parts of the world, and in very different time zones?

So glad you asked! The first thing for you to know is, yes, we have women from all over the world participating in our online programs. On average, 40% of our program participants live outside the U.S., and span over twenty countries.

Many women have questions about making the timing of the program work. If the live call times don’t work for you, you can access the recordings anytime, and do the retreat on your own timeline.

Still have questions? Send us a message (via the chat button on the bottom right corner of your screen) and we would love to chat with you.

What’s the investment?

The cost of the program is $365 USD, and includes year-long access to the recordings, and lifetime access to the workshop materials.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, we offer scholarships. Priority for scholarships goes to women who are part of communities that are underserved by coaching and personal growth support, or for women who center underserved communities in their work. If that’s you and you would like to apply for a scholarship, please contact our team at playingbig (at) taramohr (dot) com for an application. Scholarship applications close on Friday, December 11th.

How long do I have access to the retreat materials?

You’ll be able to download all session recordings and materials so that you can access them for as long as you’d like to!

What is your refund policy?

If you’ve attended or viewed the first day of the retreat and find it’s not for you, simply request a cancellation of your registration to receive a refund.

Other Questions About the Retreat

What’s the difference between this and Tara’s Playing Big program?

In this retreat, our focus will be on writing, with both independent time for writing, as well as writing prompts, teachings and Q&A’s. In the Playing Big program, our focus is on learning tools and practices to play bigger in our lives and work.

How do you approach diversity and inclusion in your programs? And how do you do anti-racist work through this program?

Ensuring diversity and inclusion has been a key part of our work in designing our programs from early on. Here are some of the ways we’ve done that throughout the past several years:

  • We regularly gather feedback on the course experiences of women of color, and ensure that programs are impactful, relevant and inclusive. We do this both through periodic deep dive conversations and quantitative course evaluation data.
  • Integrating discussions of culture, identity and bias throughout our programs.
  • A robust course scholarship program that focuses on individuals working in social justice, public service and activism, so that our trainings can help amplify work being done in those areas.

However, we also know there is a lot more that we can do – and we are committed to continuing to grow in this area. This year, some of our new initiatives include:

  • adding a new criteria that expands scholarships beyond those working in public service/activism/social justice, to also include individuals who center underserved populations in their coaching services or personal development work and support.
  • adding in new curricular materials to our programs that bring in more voices of women of color.
  • continued work with our diversity and inclusion consultant, also a course alum, to enhance our curriculum and community practices.

Will this work if my writing is… creative, academic, for business…

Yes. In the workshop, we will use writing prompts and exercises that will bring more creativity and energy to your writing – and this can enhance any kind of writing, whether you are writing resumés or marketing materials or research papers. During our dedicated writing time, you can continue working with prompts from Tara or turn your attention to whatever writing project you’d like to work on.

I don’t really consider myself a writer. Is this for me?

Absolutely. In my view, a “writer” is simply anyone who, in that particular moment, is writing. That’s it. There’s no such thing as “a writer” apart from that. We are here as human beings with thoughts, sentiments and ideas to articulate and express, and so we write. Join us.

Will I get to work with Tara one-on-one?

The program takes place in a group format, within which each individual member will have the opportunity to share challenges, reflect on their learnings, and ask questions with individual feedback from Tara. If you’re not able to attend a Q&A session, you can always submit questions ahead of time and then listen to the recording.

What will the community aspect of this program be like?

We have an incredible community of like-minded women from around the world. There are optional ways to engage with the community during the retreat: our online discussion group (hosted outside of mainstream social media), and our small group breakouts where you can share reflections and learnings with other participants. Through our discussion platform, it’s easy to find other members who do similar work, or who are in your local area.

What is the typical age of course participants?

First of all, if you are asking yourself this question and wondering if you’ll be in a different stage of life than the group, we want you to know you aren’t alone! This question comes up a lot for women considering our programs. The usual age range of the course participants is 30s through 70s, with a strong cohort of women in each decade.

I don’t do so well with online and distance learning. Might this work for me?

It’s a great question. Here are a few things to keep in mind: The course materials are always simple to access. Because Tara’s programs are highly experiential and interactive, we don’t experience the attrition or weak learning outcomes that many distance-learning programs do. The pluses of a distance-learning approach are that you’ll connect with like-minded women from all over the world and that you can learn/participate in a way that works easily with your schedule.

Honestly, I feel intimidated and nervous about signing up.

You aren’t alone. Many women hear a voice in their head saying, “You won’t fit in with this crowd of women,” or “Who do you think you are?” or “You have nothing to say, to write about,” or “This is for writers and that’s not you.”

I know in myself, there’s a part that doesn’t like creative stretches and leaps. It wants to stay in the familiar, and it often speaks up in situations like this.

If you feel a longing to join us — including a longing with a sense of nervousness or thrill in it — I hope you will!

I’m just not sure.

Well, if you were my coaching client I’d ask you to:

  • Check in with your body: How does the idea of registering feel in your body — good and exciting? Good but scary/exhilarating? Those are good signs.
  • Notice what part of you is hesitant: Your inner wisdom? Listen up. Inner critic? Voice of fear? Not good voices to listen to.
  • Explore: Is there a particular fear or worry you have? If so, write it down and examine it in the light.
  • Ask yourself: If you knew you couldn’t fail at this, and that you’d fit in beautifully with the group — what would you do?
  • Reflect: What are your intentions for the coming year? Does this feel well aligned, or not?

Join us for a
Year-End Writing Retreat
December 28-31, 2020

Registration is now closed. Contact us at playingbig@taramohr.com

Join us for a
Year-End Writing Retreat – December 28-31, 2020

Registration is now closed. Contact us at playingbig@taramohr.com

For questions about this retreat, please contact playingbig (at) taramohr (dot) com