Positive Intelligence
More and more of the secrets of our brains are being uncovered by science. As we learn more, we can also put what we learn to work for us.
This science is leading to the development of technology, apps and biofeedback devices that help us to measure our sense of wellbeing, our levels of positive emotions and even our resilience. We are developing our understanding of what works and what can have the most beneficial impact on our ability to be at our best and living our best lives.
A new Approach
A new approach that offers this is Positive Intelligence. Developed by Shirzad Chamine, this approach is based on a review and analysis of recent research in neuroscience, positive and cognitive psychology, and performance science. This novel approach examines what works, why it works and develops an approach to building mental fitness. It integrates the science, tools, techniques and understanding of these different approaches to create a structured programme to build mental fitness.
Measuring Mental Fitness
Mental fitness is a measure of the strength of your positive mental muscles (Sage) versus the negative (Saboteur). This measure of your Mental Fitness is called PQ (Positive Intelligence Quotient).
Research with 500,000 participants has shown PQ to be the best predictor of how happy you are and how well you perform relative to your potential.
This approach is based on research done by Shirzad Chamine and is a synthesis of the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience, cognitive and positive psychology, and performance science. You can read more about the research and approach Shirzad Chamine’s New York Times bestselling book Positive Intelligence.
Low levels of Mental Fitness results in stress, overwhelm, disappointment, anger, shame, anxiety, and fear. Our negative emotions tend to be more dominant and affect our performance and perspective.
Positive Intelligence describes these negative emotions and feelings as coming from our Judge and Saboteurs.
These are those internal beliefs and self-talk where we judge and criticise ourselves. When we experience a challenge or something difficult, our inner Judge and Saboteurs will usually tell us that we can’t do it. They come from a good place, they want to protect us from failure, but in reality, they hold us back and stop us from achieving our potential. Our Judge and its 9 Accomplice Saboteurs react to challenges in ways that generate negative emotions that drain our energy and hold us back – fear, anxiety, stress, self-doubt and many more.
Saboteurs
Saboteurs start off as our guardians to help us survive the real and imagined threats to our physical and emotional survival as children.
By the time we are adults, we no longer need them, but they have become the invisible inhabitants of our minds.
Our Saboteurs’ patterns of thinking, feeling, and reacting become soft-coded in our brain through neural pathways.
When these neural pathways are triggered, we are “hijacked” by our Saboteurs and feel, think, and act using their patterns.
Click on each of the images below to find out more about the Saboteurs and to take your Saboteur Assessment.
Motivation
Independence
Acceptance
Security
Assert
Earn
Avoid
Style
The Judge: Our Master Saboteur
The Judge is the universal Saboteur that afflicts everyone.
It is the one that beats you up repeatedly over mistakes or shortcomings, warns you obsessively about future risks, wakes you up in the middle of the night worrying, gets you fixated on what is wrong with others or your life, etc. Your Judge is your greatest internal enemy, activates your other top Saboteurs, causes you much of your stress and unhappiness, and reduces your effectiveness.
Click on the image above
for more information on the Judge
The Judge uses one or more “accomplice” Saboteurs to hijack your mind. The Judge’s 9 accomplice Saboteurs are classified based on their motivation and style. Click on the images below to explore the 9 accomplice Saboteurs and identify your top Saboteurs.
The Accomplice Saboteurs
Click on each the images below
for more information on the Accomplice Saboteurs
Push
Pull
Lies of Your Saboteurs
Your Saboteurs claim they are good for you. For example, your Judge tells you that its constant badgering over your mistakes and shortcomings cause you to improve and achieve.
It is true that your Saboteurs have successfully pushed you to improve and succeed through fear, anxiety, blame, shame, guilt, etc. (Negative Reinforcement).
However, research shows that you would succeed even more if you were pulled by your inherent positive feelings of curiosity, compassion, creativity, love for yourself and others, and love for contribution and self-expression (Positive Reinforcement).
And, most importantly you would be far happier and less stressed.
PQ Training
Boosting your mental fitness requires building powerful new muscles in your brain, not just insight.
We can now offer you intensive PQ training so that you too can learn to quieten and reduce the impact of your Saboteurs while growing your sage powers and live a happier and more productive life.
Combining weekly video sessions and an exclusive App, Shirzad Chamine guides you step-by-step over a six-week period to boost the 3 core muscles of mental fitness.