Brad Stulberg
@bradstulberg.bsky.social
Ideas to be your best.
I write about mastery, meaning, and excellence.
📚 My books are The Practice of Groundedness and Master of Change.
Co-founder of the Growth Equation.
I write about mastery, meaning, and excellence.
📚 My books are The Practice of Groundedness and Master of Change.
Co-founder of the Growth Equation.
Thinking about the work is not the same as doing the work.
Excitement about the work is not the same as doing the work.
Talking about the work is not the same as doing the work.
Only DOING the work is doing the work.
Excitement about the work is not the same as doing the work.
Talking about the work is not the same as doing the work.
Only DOING the work is doing the work.
July 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Thinking about the work is not the same as doing the work.
Excitement about the work is not the same as doing the work.
Talking about the work is not the same as doing the work.
Only DOING the work is doing the work.
Excitement about the work is not the same as doing the work.
Talking about the work is not the same as doing the work.
Only DOING the work is doing the work.
Decrease blood pressure.
Lower stress hormones.
Enhance respiration.
Improve sleep.
Promote creativity.
Dampen anxiety.
Strengthen humility.
Restore perspective.
No drug can do all of this. Spending time in nature can.
Lower stress hormones.
Enhance respiration.
Improve sleep.
Promote creativity.
Dampen anxiety.
Strengthen humility.
Restore perspective.
No drug can do all of this. Spending time in nature can.
July 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Decrease blood pressure.
Lower stress hormones.
Enhance respiration.
Improve sleep.
Promote creativity.
Dampen anxiety.
Strengthen humility.
Restore perspective.
No drug can do all of this. Spending time in nature can.
Lower stress hormones.
Enhance respiration.
Improve sleep.
Promote creativity.
Dampen anxiety.
Strengthen humility.
Restore perspective.
No drug can do all of this. Spending time in nature can.
Anyone can work a ton of hours. It can be a sign of dedication but it can also be a sign of insecurity and lack of confidence. Performance has little to do with how MANY hours you work. It's about what you do IN those hours.
Quantity independent of quality is nonsense.
Quantity independent of quality is nonsense.
July 16, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Anyone can work a ton of hours. It can be a sign of dedication but it can also be a sign of insecurity and lack of confidence. Performance has little to do with how MANY hours you work. It's about what you do IN those hours.
Quantity independent of quality is nonsense.
Quantity independent of quality is nonsense.
To stay on the LONG path of progress you've got to hold (and harmonize) competing ideas at once. This is so important.
Stress AND rest
Seriousness AND fun
Self discipline AND self-compassion
Solitude AND community
Success AND failure
Caring deeply about goals AND non-attachment
Stress AND rest
Seriousness AND fun
Self discipline AND self-compassion
Solitude AND community
Success AND failure
Caring deeply about goals AND non-attachment
July 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
To stay on the LONG path of progress you've got to hold (and harmonize) competing ideas at once. This is so important.
Stress AND rest
Seriousness AND fun
Self discipline AND self-compassion
Solitude AND community
Success AND failure
Caring deeply about goals AND non-attachment
Stress AND rest
Seriousness AND fun
Self discipline AND self-compassion
Solitude AND community
Success AND failure
Caring deeply about goals AND non-attachment
MOVE YOUR BODY. Aim for at least 30 minutes every day. More is better. Walk. Run. Lift weights. Dance. Garden. If possible, do some of this outdoors. Whatever you do, don’t be a hero. Start small. Consistent effort compounds over time. Inertia is real—it works in both directions.
July 15, 2025 at 12:00 AM
MOVE YOUR BODY. Aim for at least 30 minutes every day. More is better. Walk. Run. Lift weights. Dance. Garden. If possible, do some of this outdoors. Whatever you do, don’t be a hero. Start small. Consistent effort compounds over time. Inertia is real—it works in both directions.
Hard work is supposed to be hard. That's the point. What you work on works on you.
July 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Hard work is supposed to be hard. That's the point. What you work on works on you.
Be intentional about the people, places, and things with which you surround yourself. They have a massive influence on what you do and how you'll be.
July 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Be intentional about the people, places, and things with which you surround yourself. They have a massive influence on what you do and how you'll be.
Toughness is about doing the hard thing because it’s the right thing. Sometimes this means putting your head down and grinding it out. Other times this means backing off and asking for help. Toughness lives on the inside. People who don’t act tough may be toughest of all.
July 13, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Toughness is about doing the hard thing because it’s the right thing. Sometimes this means putting your head down and grinding it out. Other times this means backing off and asking for help. Toughness lives on the inside. People who don’t act tough may be toughest of all.
There are people out in the world doing amazing, inspiring things. Climbing big mountains and winning races, yes. And also couples staying together through think and thin. Single parents raising their kids. People conquering fear by being themselves. All kinds of strong. 💪
July 12, 2025 at 11:00 PM
There are people out in the world doing amazing, inspiring things. Climbing big mountains and winning races, yes. And also couples staying together through think and thin. Single parents raising their kids. People conquering fear by being themselves. All kinds of strong. 💪
If you want to be really good at something you have to be willing to fail. Being will to fail is easier when you have a strong sense of self. Having a strong sense of self requires not identifying with the outcomes of your efforts.
July 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
If you want to be really good at something you have to be willing to fail. Being will to fail is easier when you have a strong sense of self. Having a strong sense of self requires not identifying with the outcomes of your efforts.
Something few people understand is that peak performance generally comes from a place of love not fear. A big, fierce, and open heart lends itself to breakthrough.
July 11, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Something few people understand is that peak performance generally comes from a place of love not fear. A big, fierce, and open heart lends itself to breakthrough.
Arrogance sits on top of insecurity. Confidence sits on top of evidence.
July 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Arrogance sits on top of insecurity. Confidence sits on top of evidence.
If you want to have the strength to go hard you must also have the strength to go easy.
Over the long haul, consistent efforts compound in whatever you do—whether it's running, writing, or managing a team.
No need to be a hero. Gradually increase the load. Adjust as you go.
Over the long haul, consistent efforts compound in whatever you do—whether it's running, writing, or managing a team.
No need to be a hero. Gradually increase the load. Adjust as you go.
July 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM
If you want to have the strength to go hard you must also have the strength to go easy.
Over the long haul, consistent efforts compound in whatever you do—whether it's running, writing, or managing a team.
No need to be a hero. Gradually increase the load. Adjust as you go.
Over the long haul, consistent efforts compound in whatever you do—whether it's running, writing, or managing a team.
No need to be a hero. Gradually increase the load. Adjust as you go.
5 mental habits that work great—until they get in your way:
1) Grit—until quitting makes sense
2) Trying really hard—until it becomes a barrier to flow
3) Routine—until you get overly attached
4) Discipline—until you need a break
5) Self-monitoring—until it spoils fun of living
1) Grit—until quitting makes sense
2) Trying really hard—until it becomes a barrier to flow
3) Routine—until you get overly attached
4) Discipline—until you need a break
5) Self-monitoring—until it spoils fun of living
July 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM
5 mental habits that work great—until they get in your way:
1) Grit—until quitting makes sense
2) Trying really hard—until it becomes a barrier to flow
3) Routine—until you get overly attached
4) Discipline—until you need a break
5) Self-monitoring—until it spoils fun of living
1) Grit—until quitting makes sense
2) Trying really hard—until it becomes a barrier to flow
3) Routine—until you get overly attached
4) Discipline—until you need a break
5) Self-monitoring—until it spoils fun of living
Pro tip: make a "Bullshit List."
Take some time each month to write down all the stuff in your life that is bullshit—of little to no value. Then, commit to cutting it. This might be hard at first, perhaps even cause angst. But over time saying NO to dumb stuff is a great.
Take some time each month to write down all the stuff in your life that is bullshit—of little to no value. Then, commit to cutting it. This might be hard at first, perhaps even cause angst. But over time saying NO to dumb stuff is a great.
July 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Pro tip: make a "Bullshit List."
Take some time each month to write down all the stuff in your life that is bullshit—of little to no value. Then, commit to cutting it. This might be hard at first, perhaps even cause angst. But over time saying NO to dumb stuff is a great.
Take some time each month to write down all the stuff in your life that is bullshit—of little to no value. Then, commit to cutting it. This might be hard at first, perhaps even cause angst. But over time saying NO to dumb stuff is a great.
The best coaches are almost always humble, understated, and mildly suffer from impostor syndrome. They coach toward independence, not dependence.
The worst coaches are almost always arrogant, loud, and suffer from egomania. They coach toward dependence, not independence.
The worst coaches are almost always arrogant, loud, and suffer from egomania. They coach toward dependence, not independence.
July 8, 2025 at 12:00 AM
The best coaches are almost always humble, understated, and mildly suffer from impostor syndrome. They coach toward independence, not dependence.
The worst coaches are almost always arrogant, loud, and suffer from egomania. They coach toward dependence, not independence.
The worst coaches are almost always arrogant, loud, and suffer from egomania. They coach toward dependence, not independence.
Read more books.
Become wiser and more empathetic. Gain knowledge. Practice deep focus in a world full of distraction. Be entertained. Improve your critical thinking. Increase your creativity. Write better. Learn about concepts that will help you day in and day out.
Become wiser and more empathetic. Gain knowledge. Practice deep focus in a world full of distraction. Be entertained. Improve your critical thinking. Increase your creativity. Write better. Learn about concepts that will help you day in and day out.
July 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Read more books.
Become wiser and more empathetic. Gain knowledge. Practice deep focus in a world full of distraction. Be entertained. Improve your critical thinking. Increase your creativity. Write better. Learn about concepts that will help you day in and day out.
Become wiser and more empathetic. Gain knowledge. Practice deep focus in a world full of distraction. Be entertained. Improve your critical thinking. Increase your creativity. Write better. Learn about concepts that will help you day in and day out.
It's hard to be a human.
We're the only species that knows we are going to die, among other things.
Buying stuff, using substances, and distractions all provide short term relief, but that's it.
Getting outside yourself—doing good work, connecting with others—is deep relief.
We're the only species that knows we are going to die, among other things.
Buying stuff, using substances, and distractions all provide short term relief, but that's it.
Getting outside yourself—doing good work, connecting with others—is deep relief.
July 7, 2025 at 12:30 PM
It's hard to be a human.
We're the only species that knows we are going to die, among other things.
Buying stuff, using substances, and distractions all provide short term relief, but that's it.
Getting outside yourself—doing good work, connecting with others—is deep relief.
We're the only species that knows we are going to die, among other things.
Buying stuff, using substances, and distractions all provide short term relief, but that's it.
Getting outside yourself—doing good work, connecting with others—is deep relief.
48-hour rule after failure AND success. Give yourself that much time to feel really bad or really good—then get back to your craft.
In neuroscience terms this is all about triggering dopamine (motivation) from doing the thing, not from talking or thinking about the thing.
In neuroscience terms this is all about triggering dopamine (motivation) from doing the thing, not from talking or thinking about the thing.
July 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM
48-hour rule after failure AND success. Give yourself that much time to feel really bad or really good—then get back to your craft.
In neuroscience terms this is all about triggering dopamine (motivation) from doing the thing, not from talking or thinking about the thing.
In neuroscience terms this is all about triggering dopamine (motivation) from doing the thing, not from talking or thinking about the thing.
We live in a culture that promotes mental illness not wellbeing or flourishing.
What the culture values:
-Delusion
-Distraction
-Speed
-Stoicism
-Efficiency
-Optimization
What mental health values:
-Acceptance
-Presence
-Patience
-Vulnerability
-Community
-Movement
What the culture values:
-Delusion
-Distraction
-Speed
-Stoicism
-Efficiency
-Optimization
What mental health values:
-Acceptance
-Presence
-Patience
-Vulnerability
-Community
-Movement
July 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
We live in a culture that promotes mental illness not wellbeing or flourishing.
What the culture values:
-Delusion
-Distraction
-Speed
-Stoicism
-Efficiency
-Optimization
What mental health values:
-Acceptance
-Presence
-Patience
-Vulnerability
-Community
-Movement
What the culture values:
-Delusion
-Distraction
-Speed
-Stoicism
-Efficiency
-Optimization
What mental health values:
-Acceptance
-Presence
-Patience
-Vulnerability
-Community
-Movement
6 foundational daily practices with far-reaching benefits that compound over time:
1. Physical activity
2. Avoid processed foods
3. Time with people you care about
4. Meditation, reflection, contemplation
5. Reading
6. At least one block of deep-focus, distraction free work
1. Physical activity
2. Avoid processed foods
3. Time with people you care about
4. Meditation, reflection, contemplation
5. Reading
6. At least one block of deep-focus, distraction free work
July 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
6 foundational daily practices with far-reaching benefits that compound over time:
1. Physical activity
2. Avoid processed foods
3. Time with people you care about
4. Meditation, reflection, contemplation
5. Reading
6. At least one block of deep-focus, distraction free work
1. Physical activity
2. Avoid processed foods
3. Time with people you care about
4. Meditation, reflection, contemplation
5. Reading
6. At least one block of deep-focus, distraction free work
A thought, feeling, or event happens.
You are not that thought, feeling, or event. You are the awareness of it, the observer.
The more space between you—awareness, observing self—and the thought, feeling, or event, the more discerning your response.
This space is everything.
You are not that thought, feeling, or event. You are the awareness of it, the observer.
The more space between you—awareness, observing self—and the thought, feeling, or event, the more discerning your response.
This space is everything.
July 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
A thought, feeling, or event happens.
You are not that thought, feeling, or event. You are the awareness of it, the observer.
The more space between you—awareness, observing self—and the thought, feeling, or event, the more discerning your response.
This space is everything.
You are not that thought, feeling, or event. You are the awareness of it, the observer.
The more space between you—awareness, observing self—and the thought, feeling, or event, the more discerning your response.
This space is everything.
95 percent of coaching is helping people get out of their own way:
•Overthinking
•Comparison to others
•Self-doubt
•Not doing the thing you ACTUALLY want to do
•Trying to make things happen when what's required is time and space (you know this!)
•Fear of walking away
•Overthinking
•Comparison to others
•Self-doubt
•Not doing the thing you ACTUALLY want to do
•Trying to make things happen when what's required is time and space (you know this!)
•Fear of walking away
July 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
95 percent of coaching is helping people get out of their own way:
•Overthinking
•Comparison to others
•Self-doubt
•Not doing the thing you ACTUALLY want to do
•Trying to make things happen when what's required is time and space (you know this!)
•Fear of walking away
•Overthinking
•Comparison to others
•Self-doubt
•Not doing the thing you ACTUALLY want to do
•Trying to make things happen when what's required is time and space (you know this!)
•Fear of walking away
The people with whom you surround yourself shape you.
Plus: we're all going to die anyways, so don't waste your time on assholes.
Plus: we're all going to die anyways, so don't waste your time on assholes.
July 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The people with whom you surround yourself shape you.
Plus: we're all going to die anyways, so don't waste your time on assholes.
Plus: we're all going to die anyways, so don't waste your time on assholes.
How to play the long game:
Don’t worry about being the best. Worry about being the best at getting better.
Don’t aim to be consistently great. Aim to be great at being consistent.
Ignore hacks, trends, and fads. Focus on nailing the basics over and over again.
Sleep at night.
Don’t worry about being the best. Worry about being the best at getting better.
Don’t aim to be consistently great. Aim to be great at being consistent.
Ignore hacks, trends, and fads. Focus on nailing the basics over and over again.
Sleep at night.
July 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
How to play the long game:
Don’t worry about being the best. Worry about being the best at getting better.
Don’t aim to be consistently great. Aim to be great at being consistent.
Ignore hacks, trends, and fads. Focus on nailing the basics over and over again.
Sleep at night.
Don’t worry about being the best. Worry about being the best at getting better.
Don’t aim to be consistently great. Aim to be great at being consistent.
Ignore hacks, trends, and fads. Focus on nailing the basics over and over again.
Sleep at night.