In our minds, a silent war rages on – a battle between the forces of positivity and the saboteurs of negativity.  

This is the world of Positive Intelligence (PQ), a compelling framework conceptualised by Shirzad Chamine, that unveils the keys to mental fitness and inner capacity for positivity.

It’s not just about positive thinking, but rather about developing mastery over your mind to manage negative self-talk and emotions.

The PQ theory unboxed.

Imagine your mind housing two distinct sides: the Sage and the Saboteurs.

The Sage embodies positivity and rationality, guiding us towards clarity, creativity, and confidence.

In contrast, the Saboteurs are the treacherous voices that sow seeds of doubt, breed negativity, and hinder our progress.

Your PQ, or Positive Intelligence Quotient, serves as a reflection of the balance between Sage and Saboteurs. It represents the percentage of time your mind operates in your best interest, navigating challenges with resilience and grace.

Benefits of Positive Intelligence.

We all experience an inner voice. But when that self-talk turns negative, it can erode our confidence, hinder our actions, and impede our performance.

The allure of Positive Intelligence lies in its transformative power, offering a myriad of benefits for those willing to embark on this journey:

• Enhanced wellbeing – increased PQ can reduce stress, increase happiness, and boost self-confidence, fostering a sense of inner peace and fulfilment.
• Amplified performance – by mastering the art of managing negative self-talk, individuals unlock the door to heightened focus, sharper decision-making, and unparalleled productivity.
• Nurtured relationships – Positive Intelligence cultivates better communication skills and fosters empathy, paving the way for healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

Shifting the balance.

Our Survivor Brain, triggers our Saboteurs to tackle challenges head-on. However, this often leads to a cascade of negative emotions, clouding our judgment and hindering our progress.

We want to activate our Sage Brain, a beacon of positivity and clarity, that fills us with empathy, curiosity, and fearless action, propelling us towards peak performance and inner peace.

Your mind is both ally and adversary, with your PQ serving as the judge of this delicate balance. By weakening Saboteurs and strengthening your Sage, you can reclaim control over your mental landscape and unleash your full potential.

The goal? Altering the balance in favour of your Sage, where your mind works for you, not against you.

But how do we achieve this feat?

Recognising and weakening your Saboteurs.

Awareness is the first step towards victory. Identify your Saboteurs and understand how they wield their influence over your thoughts and emotions.

It’s easier to combat an enemy you can identify.

Take the test to identify which of the 10 different Saboteurs affect you.

From the Controller to the Pleaser to the Hyper-Achiever, each Saboteur manifests in unique ways, influencing how we think, feel, and respond. Weakening these Saboteurs is essential towards reclaiming control over our minds.

Strengthening your Sage.

Before you embark on this journey, remember to assess your PQ score.

Empower your Sage by consciously shifting your perspective, to view every challenge as an opportunity for growth and learning.

Transform each challenge into an opportunity for growth. Use these tools to strengthen your Sage and reshape your mindset:

• Activate – take decisive action without the interference of saboteurs
• Navigate – choose a path that best aligns with your deeper underlying values and mission
• Explore – with great curiosity and an open mind
• Innovate – and generate, create new perspectives and solutions
• Empathise – with yourself and others, bring compassion and understanding to any situation.

Building mental health with PQ Reps.

Just as physical fitness requires regular exercise, mental fitness demands consistent practice too.

PQ Reps, simple exercises aimed at redirecting your attention to your senses, help build the muscles of your PQ Brain. This is one technique that works for me, the PQ Brain equivalent of lifting a dumbbell is very simple:

Shift your attention as much as possible to your body and any of your five senses for at least 10 seconds.

This is a PQ Rep, just like the reps you do in a gym.

Rub your finger and thumb together. Wiggle your toes.

This might appear simplistic, but it is backed by a massive amount of research.

Every time you attempt such a shift of attention for about 10 seconds, you have performed a “PQ rep,” strengthening the muscles of your PQ Brain. The goal is to do 100 PQ reps per day to build up and maintain strong PQ Brain muscles.

This can be done while sitting in a meeting, driving, walking the dog, or taking a shower.

It doesn’t need to take any extra time from your busy day.

These muscles build up really fast.

Embrace the journey.

Incorporating Positive Intelligence into your life is a journey – one that promises to transform how you perceive and respond to the world around you. By embracing the principles of PQ, you can cultivate a mindset of positivity, resilience, and growth.

However, consistency and commitment to the practice are essential to see significant changes.

Remember, if you are feeling negative emotions STOP. You are in Saboteur mode. Engage your Sage brain now.

If you’re curious to learn more about Positive Intelligence and how it can benefit you, I’d be delighted to chat. Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn or email, and let’s explore the power of Positive Intelligence together.