Non-Fiction – The Practice of Groundedness

Non-Fiction: The Practice of Groundedness: A Transformative Path to Success That Feeds-Not Crushes-Your Soul

Author:  Brad Stulberg

Theme: Non-Fiction

Publisher: Portfolio

Published: 7th September 2021

Pages:  288

Author Overview:

Brad Stulberg is a writer, speaker, and performance coach who focuses on the intersection of health, wellness, and personal development. He has also contributed to publications such as The New York Times, Outside, and Men’s Journal. 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.

Achievement often has a price. An obsession with appearance can result in anxiety, restlessness, strained relationships, tiredness, and even substance abuse. 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.

“The Practice of Groundedness” is a term coined by Brad Stulberg to refer to a specific set of practices, mindset, and approach to help people thrive by staying connected to their bodies, emotions and the world around them, this concept focus on the importance of being grounded and present in order to be more effective, resilient, and fulfilled. The practice of groundedness involves developing a heightened sense of awareness, understanding your emotions and body sensations and learning how to regulate them. Practicing mindfulness and other forms of meditation, as well as regular exercise, self-reflection, and connecting with nature, are all key components of groundedness. The practice also emphasizes the importance of developing healthy relationships, being kind to oneself, and practicing self-compassion.

Stulberg argues that when we are grounded, we are better able to make clear-headed decisions and act in alignment with our values. Additionally, being grounded allows us to take a more holistic view of our lives and enables us to appreciate the present moment, which is key to achieving a sense of well-being and fulfilment.

“If we never take “easy” periods, we are never able to go full throttle and the “hard” periods end up being not that hard at all. We get stuck in a gray zone, never really stressing ourselves but never really resting either. This vicious cycle is often referred to by a much less vicious name – “going through the motions” – but it’s a huge problem nonetheless.” – Brad Stulberg

The book is divided into four parts, each of which focuses on a different aspect of groundedness: body, emotions, mind, and soul.

In the first part, Stulberg covers the importance of developing a strong connection to your body through movement, exercise, and other physical practices. He emphasizes the importance of regular exercise and mindfulness practices such as yoga and meditation as well as the importance of sleep and good nutrition.

In the second part, he covers the importance of understanding and managing your emotions, including the use of journaling and other self-reflection practices as well as developing healthy relationships and practicing self-compassion.

In the third part, he covers the importance of developing a strong, clear mind through practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and goal-setting. He also emphasizes the importance of developing healthy habits and routines to help you stay on track and avoid burnout.

In the fourth part, he covers the importance of having a sense of purpose or “soul” and how this can be achieved through connecting with something greater than oneself, such as nature, spirituality or community service.

Overall, Brad Stulberg argues that the practice of groundedness is a holistic approach that involves taking care of one’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being, and that by doing so one can live a more successful, fulfilled, and balanced life. He encourages the reader to find the practices that work best for them in order to achieve a more grounded state.

Reviews:

“This book gets to the heart of the matter.” – Ryan Holiday

“This book taps into something that so many of us feel but can’t articulate.” – Arianna Huffington

“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

“A valuable guide on going from heroic individualism to a more sustainable, long-term vision of success.” – Scott Galloway

“If you ever feel like your own life and the wider world are swirling out of control, you need this book.” – Daniel H. Pink