Book excerpt: 'Discover the wisdom within The Tree That Bends, a compelling exploration of embracing difficult emotions and acting in ways that are deeply meaningful' - Dr. Todd B. Kashdan, Professor of Psychology and author of The Upside of Your Dark Side and The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively Modern life urges us to push relentlessly for what looks like success and to be resolute in avoiding anything less. But at what cost? Burnout and disillusionment are on the rise. What if there is another way? One that allows us to both do well and feel well; an approach that transforms our striving into thriving? For clinical psychologist Ross White, a Tanzanian proverb - 'The wind does not break the tree that bends' signals the solution. During more than fifteen years as an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), he has supported countless high-performance clients to develop their psychological flexibility - to anchor themselves in the present, lean into their emotions and make choices in line with their personal values. If you juggle competing demands, take pride in what you do, and want to achieve your personal goals without sacrificing yourself, then high-performance applies to you too. With perspective-shifting insights and practical strategies, The Tree that Bends will help you to develop a flexible mind so that you can thrive, whatever storms life may throw at you.