The Practice of Groundedness: A Transformative Path to Success That Feeds--Not Crushes--Your Soul | Brad Stulberg

Join thousands of readers and learn about the foundations of sustainable excellence and concrete habits for peak performance and a more genuine kind of success.
 
"A thoughtful, actionable book for pursuing more excellence with less angst." --Adam Grant, author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast WorkLife
 
"Ambitious, far-reaching, and impactful" -- David Epstein, author of Range

"This book taps into something that so many of us feel but can't articulate." --Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global
 
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From the bestselling author of Peak Performance comes a powerful antidote to heroic individualism and the ensuing epidemic of burnout.

Achievement often comes at a cost. Angst, restlessness, frayed relationships, exhaustion, and even substance abuse can be the unwanted side effects of an obsession with outward performance. While the high of occasional wins can keep you going for a while, playing into the always-on, never enough hustle culture ultimately takes a serious toll.
 
In The Practice of Groundedness, bestselling author Brad Stulberg shares a healthier, more sustainable model for success. At the heart of this model is groundedness--a practice that values presence over rote productivity, accepts that progress is nonlinear, and prioritizes long-term values and fulfillment over short-term gain. To be grounded is to possess a firm and unwavering foundation, a resolute sense of self from which deep and enduring, not shallow and superficial, success can be found. Groundedness does not eliminate ambition and striving; rather, it situates these qualities and channels them in more meaningful ways.
 
Interweaving case studies, modern science, and time-honored lessons from ancient wisdom traditions such as Buddhism, Stoicism, and Taoism, Stulberg teaches readers how to cultivate the habits and practices of a more grounded life. Readers will learn:
 
  *  Why patience is the key to getting where you want to go faster--in work and life--and how to develop it, pushing back against the culture's misguided obsession with speed and "hacks."
  *  How to utilize the lens of the wise observer in order to overcome delusion and resistance to clearly see and accept where you are—which is the key to more effectively getting where you want to go
  *  Why embracing vulnerability is the key to genuine strength and confidence
  *  The critical importance of "deep community," or cultivating a sense of belonging and connection to people, places, and causes.

Provocative and practical, The Practice of Groundedness is the necessary corrective to the frenetic pace and endemic burnout resulting from contemporary definitions of success. It offers a new—and better—way.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Practice of Groundedness:

“This book gets to the heart of the matter.”
--Ryan Holiday, New York Times bestselling author of Stillness Is the Key and Ego Is the Enemy
 
"If you ever feel like your own life and the wider world are swirling out of control, you need this book.”
--Daniel H. Pink, author of When, Drive, and To Sell Is Human
 
“Ambitious, far-reaching, and impactful. Stulberg is the writer I turn to for examinations of success in all of its personal and professional complexities.”
--David Epstein, New York Times bestselling author of Range and The Sports Gene
 
“This book taps into something that so many of us feel but can’t articulate.”
--Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global
 
“A thoughtful, actionable book for pursuing more excellence with less angst."
--Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast WorkLife
 
“A valuable guide on going from heroic individualism to a more sustainable, long-term vision of success."
--Scott Galloway, New York Times bestselling author of The Four and Post Corona
 
“A crucial alternative for those of us exhausted by soulless exhortations to crush it, and looking for a deeper approach to building a successful life.”
--Cal Newport, New York Times bestselling author of Digital Minimalism and Deep Work
 
“Exactly what we need at this moment. Stulberg is a master at translating research into strategies to live by.”
--Kelly McGonigal, bestselling author of The Willpower Instinct and The Joy of Movement
 
“Happiness requires a life rooted in values and strengths. But this doesn’t happen by itself. Stulberg offers six concrete steps that we can follow that will guide our path.”
--Arthur C. Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of The Conservative Heart and Love Your Enemies
 
" A series of down-to-earth prescriptions that teach you to stop fixating on productivity at the expense of well-being. Highly recommend."
--Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Irresistible and Drunk Tank Pink
 
"A wise and beautifully written book. In masterful fashion, Stulberg shows how the bold humility of groundedness is relevant to all aspects of your life. Read it and you'll see."
--Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and author of A Liberated Mind
 
" An engaging read with pragmatic tips that can be put into practice right now. This book couldn’t come at a better time."
--Judson Brewer, MD, Ph.D, bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety and The Craving Mind

About the Author

Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on health, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is bestselling author of the new book The Practice of Groundedness: A Transformative Path to Success that Feeds -- Not Crushes -- Your Soul. He regularly contributes essays to The New York Times and his work has been featured in other large publications including The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Outside Magazine, Forbes, and more. In his coaching practice, he works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being. He is also a fellow at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health. His past books include Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox.