The Practice Of Groundedness

High achievement comes at a cost. For many of us, angst, restlessness, frayed relationships, burnout, and even substance abuse are unwanted side effects of an obsession with outward achievement and one-upmanship, against both self and others. Brad Stulberg, co-author of Peak Performance (2017) and The Passion Paradox (2019; both Rodale Books), calls this 'heroic individualism.' When suffering from heroic individualism, the high of occasional wins sustains you for a while. But ultimately, when your best-laid plans fail, you face unforeseen obstacles, or when lasting satisfaction proves elusive, you feel aimless and struggle. In The Practice of Groundedness, Brad Stulberg shares a new model for success that defies the 'never enough' culture of the twenty-first century. At the heart of this model is groundedness - a practice that values presence over rote productivity, accepts that progress is nonlinear, and prioritises long-term values and fulfilment over short-term gain. Ultimately, groundedness produces a firm and unwavering sense of self, one from which deep and enduring, not shallow and superficial, success can be found. Interweaving case studies, modern science, and time-honoured lessons from ancient wisdom traditions such as Buddhism, Stoicism, and Taoism, Stulberg teaches readers how to cultivate, through daily habits and activities, a more grounded life. For instance, 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; How to utilise the lens of the wise observer to clearly see and accept where you are, in order to more effectively get where you want to go; Why embracing vulnerability is the key to genuine strength and confidence; The Practice of Groundedness is a provocative and practical guide for overcoming an 'always on' mentality and attaining a more nourishing, lasting, and authentic kind of success.