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The Practice of Groundedness

A Transformative Path to Success That Feeds--Not Crushes--Your Soul

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The Practice of Groundedness

By: Brad Stulberg
Narrated by: Will Damron
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About this listen

 “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

“This book taps into something that so many of us feel but can’t articulate.” --Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global
 
“Ambitious, far-reaching, and impactful." --David Epstein, New York Times bestselling author of Range and The Sports Gene

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.


* This audiobook includes a downloadble PDF of recommended reading from the book. Career Success Personal Development Personal Success Stress Management Inspiring Success Self Management
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You’ll find a wealth of wisdom packed into this short read. Leverages the best of ancient philosophy (East and West), modern psychology, and the lived experiences of peak performers to provide a holistic vision for what “success” can look like in the modern world. Also gives practical advice for converting your values into concrete actions, so you can live in alignment with them every day. My main takeaway was Stulberg’s thinking around prioritising the process over the outcome when choosing projects. The outcomes we’re chasing (e.g., standing on the podium after winning a race, writing a bestseller, etc) can only ever be a fleeting moment—an emotional high lasting a few seconds or minutes at most. Whereas the process you adopt to pursue these outcomes will inevitably make up most of your waking hours on this planet. Therefore, it makes a lot more sense to optimise for the latter rather than the former.

A hopeful vision for what "success" can look like

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This was an incredible piece of work. Builds you to be a better person and leader.

Truly inspirational

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The start let’s it down a little IMO, bit too much about the pain of life, but worth persevering because the rest of the book is really good! Good mix of actions and theory to live a more grounded and peaceful life. And easy listening and motivating. Recommend!

Great book & Nice voice

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More than a productivity or self help book, but a compass.

Stulburg honed in on the heroic burnout that so many driven people run into. And the agony it can cause.

This is a call for something more subtle than a typical book on productivity or self-help. It’s a guide to how to design, or re-center our lives, to align our values with action—and how to build a solid foundation of support whilst we pursue action.

I found it both inspiring and practical, as well counter intuitive. It’s a refreshing step away from the many books on performance I have read.

More than a productivity or self help book

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The things that Brad writes about really resonate with me and this book is no different. This offers perspective and guidance that can easily be used to make changes to your life. If you want to make a difference to your quality of life, and are willing to actually make changes, then I recommend this book to you.

Loved it!

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