• The Practice of Groundedness

  • A Transformative Path to Success That Feeds - Not Crushes - Your Soul
  • By: Brad Stulberg
  • Narrated by: Will Damron
  • Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (572 ratings)

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The Practice of Groundedness

By: Brad Stulberg
Narrated by: Will Damron
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Publisher's summary

“This book gets to the heart of the matter.” (Ryan Holiday, New York Times best-selling 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 best-selling author of Range and The Sports Gene)

From the best-selling 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, best-selling 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 listeners how to cultivate the habits and practices of a more grounded life. Listeners 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Brad Stulberg (P)2021 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about The Practice of Groundedness

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Not for everyone

I was ok with the overall message of this book. Grounding your mind into the present moment sounds easy, but is actually hard specially in the Information Age. However, I feel this book is directed to the small demographic of high, middle class who is often too absorbed into their high-tech careers. If you are in the service industry or in a feel where you have to deal with people in a regular basis like I am, you may feel like this book is not directed to you, but there are some good ideas I liked about the subject.

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All of the things you need

I heard about this book through the author's podcast. He was talking about the writing process needing to involve a lot of cutting and editing and I was like I need to read this. No pontificating, just a simple book with lots of practical specific ideas on how to feel better. As a health care provider I generally know all of these things and talk to my patients about them but stink at following through in my own life. This book really hit the spot.

Also, I love the wide ranging references. I never thought I'd hear a white dude quote Audre Lorde and he goes from that to scientific evidence to athletics and more. So much love.

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Nothing New Here

While I sympathize with the author’s slide into obsessive compulsive disorder and appreciate his newfound “groundedness,” he does little to provide a solid foundation for others. The books touting the positive benefits of mindfulness, centeredness, and every other “ness” are legion. Few are the books that explain the rock solid foundation on which to build an unshakeable life.

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8 people found this helpful

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Read this book twice!

I listened to this book through Audible. Each chapter has an application to life. Listening to it first then buying the book, reading it and taking notes has really helped me. Highly recommended both through audio then print.

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7 people found this helpful

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Great topic; audiobook missing references

Enjoyed the audiobook. however one very useful thing is missing: The audiobook accompanying PDF does not have the scientific references to the studies cited in the book. Would be nice since the book is focused on research backed methods.

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Very well done, highly recommend.

This is my first review here on Audible but I thought this book was put together in such a good way that it was worth taking the time out to potentially bring it to other people’s attention.

I was already aware of the vast majority of the concepts presented in this book but I thought the ways in which they were presented enabled them to hit home more so than the others.

Plus the narration was very good. Easy five stars for me.

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FANTASTIC BOOK

I'm sharing everything I learned with my friends and loved ones! This was a great listen to and from work! I can't wait to utilize these tools!

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5 people found this helpful

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Excellent compilation

This book is a must read for perfectionists or those with intense desires to strive, regardless of whether you are working or not. This book succinctly refers to principles I have studied in many books and podcasts over the past few years that have led to a balanced life. Loved it!

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4 people found this helpful

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Insightful, motivational, therapeutic

Beginning this audio book I felt the pages to be heavy but it gradually transitioned to more helpful stories and examples of how to be at peace with yourself through different trials and tribulations we experience. The book mentions references to different beliefs which give it a well rounded listen for all.

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Best Book in Years

I picked up this book hoping it’d be good and wow, it exceeded all my expectations. It is packed with useful and concrete habits for mental health and sustainable excellence. I also really enjoyed learning about the author’s own challenges. The writing is top notch, the narrator is great, and it includes lessons and fascinating but also useful insights from across fields of science and ancient wisdom traditions. It’s great. Truly the best book I’ve listened to or read in a long time.

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2 people found this helpful