Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential and How You Can Achieve Yours by Shirzad Chamine is a very readable book describing positive intelligence, PQSM and how it effects your business and personal life. Over the winter break, I decided I was in dire need of some positive reading. I really enjoyed the personal stories, relatable examples, simplistic easy to implement exercises, and deeper scientific research. If you are looking for a good read, practical exercises and scientifically proven methods to improve your mindset and life, it’s well worth the read.
In the process of reading this book I decided I would put some of his practices into place and see what happened after 30 days. I’ll share the impact below… keep reading.
First - the book parts.
Next, terms defined: What is positive intelligence and PQ? Chamine suggests that your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. (Chamine 6) Positive Intelligence, “… measures the relative strength of these two modes of your mind.” (Chamine, 6) PQ SM is the Positive Intelligence Quotient measured as a percentage of your Positive Intelligence score. (Chamine 7) Your PQ SM score tells you if your mind is working with you (Your Sage) or against you (Your Saboteur). He then gives practical advice in how to improve your PQ SM score and describes the Saboteurs and Sages in detail and gives examples of how to weaken the Saboteurs and strengthen your Sages.
What caught my attention were the exercises. I thought they could improve my blues and low energy about my business and life. Those that know me this is not normal and I’m a pretty upbeat bouncy gal. I thought I’d try the PQ SM exercises Chamine suggests to boost your PQ SM score and improve your overall mindset. My thoughts, was that is sure couldn’t hurt and might actually work. He backs up his work with sound neuroscience research, which got my nerd propeller going. I do love good science. I committed to doing the PQ SM exercises for a month and see what happened. The short answer to did they work is….YES!, Wow, IT WORKS! I was intrigued and thought I had already done the work on my Saboteur - the Judger. However, by just knowing about it, I didn’t have the tools and didn’t know DO about the Judger. By revealing Judger every time he popped his little ugly head and acknowledge, to myself, “oh there’s my judger again,” the Judger wasn’t in control of my mind or actions. A concrete example – writing this blog my Judger says, “Who do you think is going to read this? Who cares?, You can’t write, etc. etc.” I now say, thank you Judge and acknowledge this feeling and carry on. This acknowledgement allows me to refocus my energy and feel a sense of peace to move forward. I no longer have to battle the Judger just notice and move on. How freeing.
I also did the PQ Brain 100 “reps” per day as Chamine calls them. A PQ rep is shifting your attention away from “life” and focusing intently on your five senses for at least 10 seconds. (Chamine 105) By doing so you are activating your PQ brain. These reps are so easy to incorporate into your day, he suggests focusing on your tooth brushing, feeling the floor under your feet, savoring your food, etc. I started off well getting my 100 reps a day in and then started tailing off. I put a reminder on my phone and computer. I get a few reps in whenever I check them during the day as well as the other times. It is truly amazing how just taking a few breaths of focus can reset you for the moment and get you back on track. The negative thoughts no longer paralyze you. The trick is to remember to take a few breaths and do a PQ rep or three. I have noticed a significant shift in my perspective and outlook. I’m not so blue and I have a more peaceful positive outlook on life and my business. My judger is still there but we are entering into a new quieter relationship. Judger keeps me safe and my Sage keeps me moving forward in a positive mindset. The negative chatter no longer is filling my head.
Lastly, I really love the fact there is a website and a free assessment to find out more about Positive Intelligence, Chamine, and what your PQ SM score is. The website is www.PositiveIntelligence.com. Who doesn’t love to take an assessment? My first PQ score was a low and my new one is higher. I had a 17-point increase! Not quite to the 75 of the top 20% but getting there. I can see continuing to work on my PQ reps and continuing to be focused on my Sage mindset will increase my score and get me over the 75%.
Want to know more about Shirzad Chamine, Positive Intelligence, or take the free assessment? – Check out www.positiveintelligence.com. Want to order the book – check it out on my Amazon Affiliate page below or at http://www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com/books.html
I am not getting paid or rewarded in anyway for this review. I read the book and enjoyed it and want to share this with my readers and followers. I thought if this can work for me it could work for others. It was too good, easy to implement, and follow not to share.
Looking for more resources on change or resiliency check out the resources below - my book list or Free Resources.
Are you or someone you know looking to make a life change or wonder what’s next? Feeling stuck and not sure what to do? If so, I’d be honored to embark on that journey together with you. I partner with those who desire building resiliency through change and are ready to make positive changes. Together we work to move forward to live boldly and fulfilled. I love hearing my clients regain their lives and loving life again.
Check out my website or email me to learn more. Let’s connect. If you want more change, loss, and life tips register for my newsletter – to the right of this blog.
Peace, Love, & Blessings,
Teresa Bitner, PMP, M. Ed., ACC
Bold Fulfilled Business & Life Coach –Change, Loss and Resilience Specialty
[email protected]
In the process of reading this book I decided I would put some of his practices into place and see what happened after 30 days. I’ll share the impact below… keep reading.
First - the book parts.
- What is Positive Intelligence and PQ SM?
- First Strategy: Weaken Your Saboteur
- Second Strategy: Strengthen Your Sage
- Third Strategy: Build Your PQ Brain Muscles
- How to Measure Your Progress
- Applications
Next, terms defined: What is positive intelligence and PQ? Chamine suggests that your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. (Chamine 6) Positive Intelligence, “… measures the relative strength of these two modes of your mind.” (Chamine, 6) PQ SM is the Positive Intelligence Quotient measured as a percentage of your Positive Intelligence score. (Chamine 7) Your PQ SM score tells you if your mind is working with you (Your Sage) or against you (Your Saboteur). He then gives practical advice in how to improve your PQ SM score and describes the Saboteurs and Sages in detail and gives examples of how to weaken the Saboteurs and strengthen your Sages.
What caught my attention were the exercises. I thought they could improve my blues and low energy about my business and life. Those that know me this is not normal and I’m a pretty upbeat bouncy gal. I thought I’d try the PQ SM exercises Chamine suggests to boost your PQ SM score and improve your overall mindset. My thoughts, was that is sure couldn’t hurt and might actually work. He backs up his work with sound neuroscience research, which got my nerd propeller going. I do love good science. I committed to doing the PQ SM exercises for a month and see what happened. The short answer to did they work is….YES!, Wow, IT WORKS! I was intrigued and thought I had already done the work on my Saboteur - the Judger. However, by just knowing about it, I didn’t have the tools and didn’t know DO about the Judger. By revealing Judger every time he popped his little ugly head and acknowledge, to myself, “oh there’s my judger again,” the Judger wasn’t in control of my mind or actions. A concrete example – writing this blog my Judger says, “Who do you think is going to read this? Who cares?, You can’t write, etc. etc.” I now say, thank you Judge and acknowledge this feeling and carry on. This acknowledgement allows me to refocus my energy and feel a sense of peace to move forward. I no longer have to battle the Judger just notice and move on. How freeing.
I also did the PQ Brain 100 “reps” per day as Chamine calls them. A PQ rep is shifting your attention away from “life” and focusing intently on your five senses for at least 10 seconds. (Chamine 105) By doing so you are activating your PQ brain. These reps are so easy to incorporate into your day, he suggests focusing on your tooth brushing, feeling the floor under your feet, savoring your food, etc. I started off well getting my 100 reps a day in and then started tailing off. I put a reminder on my phone and computer. I get a few reps in whenever I check them during the day as well as the other times. It is truly amazing how just taking a few breaths of focus can reset you for the moment and get you back on track. The negative thoughts no longer paralyze you. The trick is to remember to take a few breaths and do a PQ rep or three. I have noticed a significant shift in my perspective and outlook. I’m not so blue and I have a more peaceful positive outlook on life and my business. My judger is still there but we are entering into a new quieter relationship. Judger keeps me safe and my Sage keeps me moving forward in a positive mindset. The negative chatter no longer is filling my head.
Lastly, I really love the fact there is a website and a free assessment to find out more about Positive Intelligence, Chamine, and what your PQ SM score is. The website is www.PositiveIntelligence.com. Who doesn’t love to take an assessment? My first PQ score was a low and my new one is higher. I had a 17-point increase! Not quite to the 75 of the top 20% but getting there. I can see continuing to work on my PQ reps and continuing to be focused on my Sage mindset will increase my score and get me over the 75%.
Want to know more about Shirzad Chamine, Positive Intelligence, or take the free assessment? – Check out www.positiveintelligence.com. Want to order the book – check it out on my Amazon Affiliate page below or at http://www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com/books.html
I am not getting paid or rewarded in anyway for this review. I read the book and enjoyed it and want to share this with my readers and followers. I thought if this can work for me it could work for others. It was too good, easy to implement, and follow not to share.
Looking for more resources on change or resiliency check out the resources below - my book list or Free Resources.
Are you or someone you know looking to make a life change or wonder what’s next? Feeling stuck and not sure what to do? If so, I’d be honored to embark on that journey together with you. I partner with those who desire building resiliency through change and are ready to make positive changes. Together we work to move forward to live boldly and fulfilled. I love hearing my clients regain their lives and loving life again.
Check out my website or email me to learn more. Let’s connect. If you want more change, loss, and life tips register for my newsletter – to the right of this blog.
Peace, Love, & Blessings,
Teresa Bitner, PMP, M. Ed., ACC
Bold Fulfilled Business & Life Coach –Change, Loss and Resilience Specialty
[email protected]
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