"Couldn't you find a more appealing title?" one might say.
Not really. Grounding is boring, is boredom, is slow-paced, it’s rooted—it just is. We talk so much about it, especially in the yoga and meditation communities, and lately also in business. But what does it actually mean to be grounded?
The Art of Living
More than 10 years ago, I came back from Munich for a weekend and made a quick stop at my grandmother’s place. Every minute of my weekend was packed. She was sitting in the same chair as usual, spending most of the day there in complete peace, unmoving. I was in an extreme hurry, as I often was during that period of my life. She was so happy to see me. I greeted her—and at the same time, said goodbye—in a rather stressed way. At that time, stress and busyness were my “normal” and my means of achieving something in life.
When I said goodbye, I kissed her. And just as I was about to rush out the door, my grandmother said, “Girl, why are you hurrying so much? You don’t need to.” Her voice was calm and grounded; it felt like it came from deep roots—and it felt so true. Her presence was still. I immediately replied, “Grannie, you don’t understand. Today is different than your times—I need to hurry.” As I was running out of her apartment, I still heard her voice echoing in my head: “You don’t need to hurry.”
A 20-something vs. an 80-something on the art of living. It took me years of self-development to realize she was right. She was wise, deeply grounded, and present. I was just a puppet of FOMO, societal pressures, and ideals about what success should look like.
Escaping the Here and Now
If we look at today’s society—who is really grounded? Who is truly in the here and now, totally enough for themselves, and utterly honest with themselves?
We live in a time where we spend most of our days worrying about the future, talking about the past, and distracting ourselves with phones and computers in a virtual space. But when are we actually in the moment?
The present is the only moment we truly have. The past is gone, the future is uncertain, and yet, it’s so hard to be here now.
Energy Potential Loss
We keep losing energy by splitting our attention between the past, future, and virtual worlds. For example, when we really want something from our kids or pets, we command them—but unless we bring all our scattered energy (divided by rejection, doubt, expectation, fears, etc.) into the present moment, we rarely succeed.
Meaning: we have the highest capacity to achieve and manifest things when we are present—and yet, we rarely are.
How Grounded Are We in Different Roles?
Take motherhood. Moms need to be fully grounded to truly be there for their newborns. To be fully present. Motherhood often brings a period of disalignment, where many of the things done before birth can no longer be done the same way. Because the baby’s well-being is at stake, many mothers choose to stay present and set clear boundaries—choosing what they can and cannot do, so as not to stress too much during maternity leave. And when you're fully present and honest about your yeses and nos, life often unfolds in the most miraculous ways.
As a leader, you may not feel grounded at first. The early stages are often filled with uncertainty, self-doubt, and a constant push to prove yourself. You're juggling responsibilities, navigating team dynamics, and trying to meet expectations—both your own and others'. But over the years, as you gain experience, face challenges, and reflect on your growth, you begin to lay a solid foundation in that role. You become more rooted in your values, more confident in your decisions, and more at ease with not having all the answers. And it's from that grounded place that you can truly be there for others—not just as a decision-maker, but as a stable presence, a guide, and a source of calm in moments of stress or uncertainty. Grounded leadership creates space for trust, clarity, and authentic connection.
How Grounded Are You?
If our reality is a projection of our conscious and subconscious minds, how far are you from being fully grounded?
The most extreme example might be the Buddha—meditating under a tree in stillness for years. While saints have different qualities than most people, this is still a helpful approximation.
How many times a day do you stop and just be in the moment? Are you always traveling—or is it enough for you to stay home on weekends? What are your friends like—always rushing, or savoring life slowly? Do you arrive late to meetings and feel like only half of you is really there at first?
Grounded is when having nothing feels like having everything. Gratitude also keeps us in the present moment.
Grounding isn't a destination—it's a practice. It's found in quiet pauses, honest boundaries, and the courage to slow down. Maybe we don’t need to meditate under a tree for years, but we can start by coming home to ourselves, one breath, one moment at a time.