Positive Intelligence (PQ): The Mental Fitness That Empowers Us from Within
Have you ever noticed your inner critic showing up just when you’re about to try something new, take a risk, or speak up for yourself?
Yup, that happens to me too, and we heard about it from many others.
Many of us are living with mental habits that drain our energy, fuel our anxiety, and hold us back from living with confidence and clarity. The good news? These patterns can be changed.
At Joyful Soul Psychology, we offer a science-backed approach to building inner resilience and mental fitness, Positive Intelligence® (PQ).
What is Positive Intelligence (PQ)?
Positive Intelligence is the science of developing our mental fitness—the ability to manage our mind effectively so that our thoughts, emotions, and actions support our well-being and goals.
PQ was developed by Shirzad Chamine, Stanford lecturer and executive coach, and is rooted in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and performance science. It helps us quietten our inner saboteurs (self-defeating patterns) and strengthen our Sage (wise, grounded self).
It’s like going to the gym, but for our mind.
- “I don’t know how to join the conversation.”
- “I want to make friends, but I don’t know what to say.”
- “Everyone else seems to get it… but I feel left out.”
- “Trying to fit in feels too hard — maybe I’m just not meant to.”
Why PQ Matters?
Just like physical fitness helps us recover faster from illness or stress, mental fitness helps us recover more quickly from challenges, setbacks, and emotional triggers. With regular PQ practice, you’ll notice that you have within you:
- Greater emotional resilience
- Improved focus and decision-making
- Reduced self-doubt and overwhelm
- Stronger relationships through empathic communication
- More joy, clarity, and alignment with your values
PQ empowers you to meet life with intention, not reactivity (especially from fear), regardless whether you’re a leader, parent, educator, or simply someone navigating life’s transitions.
Meet the Saboteurs: What’s Holding Us Back?
PQ introduces the concept of Saboteurs—those familiar inner voices that sabotage our potential. You might recognise them as:
- The Judge: “You’re not doing enough.”
- The Pleaser: “Keep others happy at your own expense.”
- The Hyper-Achiever: “Your worth depends on success.”
- The Avoider: “Better not deal with that conflict.”
- … the list goes on (victim, controller, hyper-rational, hyper-vigilant, restless, stickler)
We all have Saboteurs. What matters is learning to catch them early and shifting toward a more empowered mindset.
Meet Our Sage: The Inner Guide That Knows We’re Enough
In PQ coaching, we strengthen your Sage muscles—your calm, curious, creative self. The Sage mindset helps us respond to life’s challenges with:
- Empathy (for yourself, for others and the circumstances)
- Explore (asking “What can I learn?”)
- Innovation (thinking outside the box)
- Navigate (acting in alignment with values)
- Activate (taking clear, laser focus, bold action)
Through simple daily exercises and reflections, we build these mental muscles in just a few minutes a day.
How We Use PQ at Joyful Soul Psychology
As a PQ practitioner, ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), and Registered Speech Therapist, I integrate the PQ approach into both coaching and communication-based work.
In our 1:1 coaching and group coaching programmes, you’ll experience:
- A safe, affirming space to identify your saboteurs
- Practical mental fitness tools you can use daily
- Custom support tailored to your personal or professional challenges
- Transformation from the inside out
Whether we’re navigating work stress, parenting, burnout, or identity shifts, PQ coaching can equip us with the clarity and strength to move forward confidently.
Ready to Build Your Mental Fitness?
We invite you to explore Positive Intelligence as part of your growth journey.
Curious to learn more? Reach out to us. Let’s quieten the inner critic and strengthen the inner guide, together.