Are your thoughts sabotaging you?
Positive Intelligence is a framework developed by Shirzad Chamine that aims to help individuals boost mental fitness, resilience, and a more positive mindset. One of the key aspects of the Positive Intelligence framework is the concept of “Saboteurs”.
Saboteurs are defined as the negative internal voices or limiting beliefs that can undermine our confidence, happiness, and overall well-being.
In Positive Intelligence, Saboteurs are categorized into 10 different types, each with their own unique characteristics and impact. By becoming aware of our top Saboteurs, we can become more successful at managing them. If you want to understand what yours are, you can take the a free 5-minute assessment here.
The 10 types of Saboteurs are:
The Judge: This Saboteur is critical and judgmental of ourselves, others, and situations. It can lead to feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and low self-esteem. This is the master of all the saboteurs because everyone has it.
The Controller: This Saboteur is obsessed with control and can lead to feelings of frustration, stress, and a lack of flexibility.
The Stickler: This Saboteur is obsessed with perfection and can lead to feelings of self-criticism, shame, and a lack of self-compassion.
The Pleaser: This Saboteur is focused on pleasing others and can lead to feelings of resentment, exhaustion, and a lack of personal boundaries.
The Hyper-Achiever: This Saboteur is driven by the need for achievement and can lead to feelings of burnout, stress, and a lack of balance in life.
The Victim: This Saboteur is focused on feeling victimized and can lead to feelings of helplessness, self-pity, and a lack of personal responsibility.
The Hyper-Rational: This Saboteur is focused on logic and reason and can lead to feelings of detachment, isolation, and a lack of emotional intelligence.
The Hyper-Vigilant: This Saboteur is focused on danger and potential threats and can lead to feelings of anxiety, fear, and a lack of trust.
The Restless: This Saboteur is focused on constant stimulation and can lead to feelings of restlessness, impulsivity, and a lack of focus.
The Avoider: This Saboteur is focused on avoiding pain or discomfort and can lead to feelings of procrastination, avoidance, and a lack of self-growth.
In addition to saboteur awareness, you can further strengthen your mental fitness by practicing mindful moments throughout your day.
Based in neuroscience, practicing paying attention to 1 of your 5 senses consistently activates the part of your brain that holds your inner wisdom or sage. The trick is training your brain to take these breaks frequently and consistently so that you can access the sage part of you more easily.
If you’re curious about what greater mental fitness could bring to your life: more calm, less stress, greater focus, and more energy for the things that matter most, I’d love to help you explore it.