The Practice of Groundedness

A six-pillar program to combat burnout and realize a more lasting and fulfilling kind of success

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, coauthor of Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox, 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 prioritizes long-term values and fulfillment 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-honored 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 utilize 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.