Harnessing Positive Intelligence®: The Power of Our Sage Brain

Understanding Positive Intelligence® 

Positive Intelligence® , or PQ, is a framework developed by Shirzad Chamine that measures the balance between the positive and negative forces in your mind. Think of PQ as your mental fitness score—a way to gauge how effectively your mind supports rather than sabotages you.

Your Positive Intelligence Quotient (PQ)®  is a numerical representation of this balance. A higher PQ means that your brain spends more time serving your goals, relationships, and well-being, while a lower PQ indicates that saboteurs—those negative thought patterns—are in control.

Research shows that raising your PQ results in significant improvements in performance, relationships, and overall happiness. But how do you build that mental fitness? That’s where PQ coaching and the Positive Intelligence app come in.

How Is PQ Coaching® Different from Other Approaches?

Most coaching focuses on developing skills, setting goals, or managing behaviors. PQ coaching goes deeper by targeting the root of success and fulfillment: your mental fitness.

The PQ coaching process helps you:

• Identify and intercept your saboteurs (those pesky inner critics).
• Strengthen your self-command muscle to manage your mind effectively.
• Activate your sage brain, the positive part of your mind where creativity, clarity, and resilience live.

PQ coaching is unique because it combines science-based practices with daily app-guided exercises. It’s not just about gaining insights—it’s about rewiring your brain to make those insights stick, ensuring long-term, sustainable change.

What Are Our Saboteurs and How Do They Hijack Us?

Saboteurs are the negative voices in your head, the ones that trigger stress, anxiety, frustration, and self-doubt. The Saboteur brain is linked to the limbic system, which governs emotions and survival instincts. These patterns stem from mechanisms that once served us but now hold us back. Shirzad Chamine identifies ten main saboteurs, including:

• The Judge: The universal saboteur that criticizes yourself, others, and situations.
• The 9 Accomplice Saboteurs: among which can find the controller, the pleaser, the avoider, the hyper-achiever, the hyper-vigilant, the hyper-rational, the victim, the stickler, and the restless. 

When these saboteurs hijack your mind, they prevent you from thinking clearly, making good decisions, and enjoying life. To discover your top saboteurs, Positive Intelligence offers a dedicated Saboteur Assessment that identifies the thought patterns most likely to derail you. This test is a great first step in understanding how your mind operates.

What Is Our Sage Brain?

Your sage brain is the positive, resourceful part of your mind—the opposite of the saboteurs. When you operate from your sage, you approach challenges with calm, clarity, and resilience, turning even difficulties into opportunities. The Sage brain primarily operates from the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for higher cognitive functions like problem-solving, planning, and empathy. 

The Sage Powers that help you navigate life effectively are:

1. Empathy: Cultivating compassion for yourself and others, even in tough situations.
2. Exploration: Staying curious and open-minded, looking at problems as puzzles to solve.
3. Ideation: Tapping into creativity to generate new ideas and possibilities.
4. Activation: Taking decisive action with confidence and purpose.
5. Navigation: Using your inner wisdom to guide you toward long-term fulfillment and alignment with your values.

When you activate these powers, you move away from fear-based thinking and into a mindset that supports growth, connection, and achievement.

How Can We Switch from Saboteur Behavior to Sage Mode?

Switching from saboteur mode to sage mode involves building your self-command muscle, the mental fitness that lets you shift gears when your saboteurs take over. One of the most effective tools for this is PQ reps, quick mindfulness exercises designed to intercept negative thoughts and activate the sage brain.

For example, when you feel a saboteur hijacking your mind, you can do a PQ rep:

• Pause and take a deep breath.
• Focus on a physical sensation, like rubbing your fingers together and feeling the ridges of your fingertips.
• Bring your attention back to the present moment, where you can respond thoughtfully rather than react emotionally.
  
• These simple practices disrupt the saboteur's control and strengthen the neural pathways that activate sage powers.

Steps to Embrace Your Sage Brain

Transitioning into a Sage mindset requires dedication and practice. Here are some actionable steps to help you get started:

1. Identify Your Saboteurs: Recognize the negative voices in your head that hold you back. Common saboteurs include the Judge, Victim, and Pleaser.
2. Practice Mindfulness: Engage in regular meditation or mindfulness exercises to enhance self-awareness and emotional regulation.
3. Engage in Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with encouraging affirmations that empower your Sage mindset.

By consistently applying these techniques, you'll find yourself more capable of tackling life's challenges with optimism and resilience.

How the PQ-App®  Supports Mindfulness and Sage Brain Activation

The Positive Intelligence®  app is a game-changer in developing your mental fitness. It serves as your daily guide, offering personalized exercises, reminders, and tools to help you practice mindfulness and activate your sage brain.

Here’s how it works:

• You begin by working with a trained PQ coach who helps you understand your saboteurs and sage powers.
• The app provides daily PQ reps and weekly focus areas to strengthen your mental muscles.
• It tracks your progress and adapts to your needs, ensuring you stay consistent and motivated.
  

The app seamlessly integrates into your daily routine, making it easier to build the habits that lead to long-term growth.

Conclusion: Building Lasting Change Through PQ Coaching® 

The journey from saboteur mindset to sage mode isn’t just about gaining insights—it’s about rewiring your brain to create lasting change. Positive Intelligence combines science, mindfulness, and coaching into a powerful system that helps you build the neural pathways needed for sustained growth.

By working with a trained PQ coach and engaging with the app, you gain the tools to break free from self-sabotage, strengthen your positive mental muscles, and lead a more fulfilling, purposeful life. Remember that the power to change lies within you. Embrace it, nurture it, and watch as your world transforms for the better.