1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Practice of Groundedness
In today’s world, it can feel like if you want to be successful, you must constantly “hustle” and relentlessly pursue self-improvement. In The Practice of Groundedness, Brad Stulberg argues many of us have fallen prey to this culture of productivity that glorifies working hard, staying busy, and chasing success above all else. But instead of feeling satisfied with our lives, we experience burnout, illness, and unhappiness.
Stulberg proposes a more sustainable and meaningful way of living and working built on the concept of **groundedness—the ability to stay balanced and stable when facing challenges and...
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The Practice of Groundedness Summary The Problem: We Value Productivity Too Much
Stulberg writes that, in today’s world, we obsess over ways to increase productivity and maximize efficiency, often at the expense of our well-being. Society floods us with messages pushing us to improve how we live and work, and technology has furthered this culture of busyness—smartphone apps, for instance, allow us to track everything from our productivity to the calories we burn during a workout. Because of this, we often find ourselves on a never-ending quest for peak performance and greater happiness.
(Shortform note: In How to Do Nothing, Jenny Odell argues that our obsession with productivity arose with the emergence of the attention economy—when we, as a society, started assigning monetary value to time and attention. She explains that in the 1980s, corporate deregulation, wage stagnation, and a loss of social safety nets pressured people into working more, causing them to think about their time in terms of money. Then, the internet and social media monetized attention with pay-per-click ads, sponsorships, paid promotions, and so...
The Practice of Groundedness Summary A Better Approach to Success: Cultivate Groundedness
Stulberg writes that when we fixate on success and optimization, we lose sight of the bigger picture, and we fail to look after aspects of our lives that are essential for our health, well-being, and ability to find fulfillment. He argues that to pursue your goals and dreams without sacrificing your well-being and happiness, you must shift your focus from rote productivity to a lifestyle of groundedness—the internal strength and self-assurance to withstand life’s challenges. Stulberg outlines six core elements of this sustainable approach to success. The elements are interdependent, and cultivating one enhances the others. In the following sections, we’ll explore each in detail.
(Shortform note: In Working Hard, Hardly Working, Grace Beverley agrees that continuously striving for maximum productivity isn’t an effective approach to success and advocates an alternative groundedness approach. Stulberg’s approach consists of six principles, but Beverley suggests more simply that you balance productivity and self-care. She argues that you [shouldn’t see self-care and productivity as...
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Shortform Exercise: Practice Groundedness in Your Daily Life
According to Stulberg, when we focus too much on improving ourselves and getting ahead, our health and productivity suffer. In this exercise, reflect on the ways you experience “heroic individualism” and plan for ways to incorporate Stulberg’s groundedness principles into your life and work.
Write down a recent problem or situation you’ve been avoiding or downplaying. What makes it difficult for you to confront? What is one step you could take to face the reality of the problem with acceptance and compassion?
