Transforming my Mindset: The Power of Positive Intelligence

When I first heard about Positive Intelligence (PQ), I was skeptical. As a Registered Psychotherapist, I’ve spent years studying evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). What could this new framework possibly offer that I hadn’t already encountered? What I didn’t realize at the time was that Positive Intelligence would become one of the most transformative tools in my personal and professional growth.

At the core of Positive Intelligence is the idea that our minds can either serve us or sabotage us. We all have inner saboteurs—automatic, unhelpful thinking patterns that reinforce stress, anxiety, and self-criticism. PQ teaches skills to shift from these destructive habits to a "sage mind," where curiosity, empathy, and creativity lead the way. Little did I know how profoundly these lessons would reshape the way I think, work, and live.

Why Positive Intelligence Came at the Right Time

The year I discovered Positive Intelligence was a year of immense challenge and transformation for me. Burnout had pushed me to the edge, exposing deep-seated patterns of perfectionism and workaholism. Through ketamine-assisted therapy, I began to unravel the childhood experiences that had fueled these tendencies—namely, a core belief that love and worth were conditional on achievement. But I still felt lost when it came to changing these patterns in my day-to-day life. That’s when I stumbled across a coach who introduced me to PQ.

The framework felt familiar yet fresh. It drew from mindfulness, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence, but what stood out was its actionable, habit-based approach. PQ wasn’t just about gaining insight—it was about daily practice to rewire the brain.

My Journey Through Positive Intelligence

The first step in PQ was identifying my inner saboteurs. Using a structured assessment, I discovered that my dominant saboteurs were the Judge, Hyper-Achiever, Controller, and Stickler, with hints of Restless and Hyper-Vigilant. These patterns aligned perfectly with what I already knew about myself through my Enneagram and self-reflection: I was constantly striving for perfection, controlling outcomes, and critiquing myself harshly.

Through PQ’s six-week intensive app-based program, I committed to practicing mindfulness skills multiple times a day. These "PQ reps" involved engaging my senses—like rubbing two fingers together to feel their ridges or focusing on a specific sound in the room. These simple exercises quieted my saboteurs and activated my sage mind, a calm, creative state that helps navigate challenges with curiosity and compassion.

Aug 2024 - Practicing Visual PQ Reps in Eindhoven

What I Learned

Over time, these practices began to shift how I approached problems, relationships, and even my career. Here are some of the most valuable lessons PQ taught me:

1. Reframing Challenges as Opportunities: I learned to view every problem as a potential gift. When faced with setbacks, I now ask, "What can this teach me? How can I grow from this?" This mindset has helped me approach challenges with curiosity rather than frustration.

2. Collaboration and Teamwork: As someone accustomed to working independently, collaboration was a significant adjustment. PQ taught me to assume that others are "10% right," helping me focus on their contributions and build on their ideas instead of controlling the outcome.

3. Letting Go of Unhelpful Emotions: Negative emotions like frustration or impatience no longer dominate my responses. PQ provided me with mindfulness practices to shift out of these states quickly without avoidance, allowing me to approach situations from a place of calm and clarity.

Connecting PQ to My Healing Journey

One of the most surprising realizations was how closely PQ aligned with the work I had done in ketamine-assisted therapy. Processing my childhood trauma had opened the door to seeing my patterns more clearly. PQ helped me take the next step: transforming those insights into actionable changes. It was as if the trauma work let the pressure out of the bottle, and PQ gave me the tools to rebuild.

For example, I had spent years believing that my value was tied to achievement. Ketamine therapy helped me see where this belief originated, but PQ taught me how to challenge it in real time. Now, when my Hyper-Achiever saboteur tells me I need to do more to be enough, I respond with empathy and reassurance, shifting into my sage mind.

Why Positive Intelligence Works

The beauty of PQ lies in its simplicity and consistency. By practicing small, daily habits, I’ve rewired my brain to operate more often from a state of joy, creativity, and connection. My mind no longer works against me as frequently; instead, it serves me in ways that feel empowering and aligned with who I truly am.

If you’re considering Positive Intelligence, know that it’s not a quick fix. Like any transformative practice, it requires commitment and vulnerability. But for me, it’s been a life-changing complement to my therapeutic work and a pathway to living with greater balance, fulfillment, and ease.