Welcome to reThink Your Perspective’s blog. Helping you to unlock your potential, empower your mindset, create productive habits, and boost your motivation. Today’s instalment is the first in a series looking at Shirzad Chamine’s PQ Approach.
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Shirzad Chamine’s PQ Approach
Welcome to a series of blog posts dedicated to exploring the transformative power of Shirzad Chamine’s Positive Intelligence (PQ) approach. If you’re looking to enhance your mental fitness, overcome self-sabotage, and unlock your full potential, then you’re in the right place. Over the next 12 posts, we will delve into the key concepts, exercises, and practical applications of the PQ program. Providing you with valuable insights and tools to create positive change in your life.
I have recently been involved with a training program on the PQ approach and want to share my understanding of the principles so that you reading this can apply the approach in your own life. So many coaching programs or mental fitness approaches focus on solving the symptoms of our lives without addressing the underlying ongoing cause. The PQ approach gives understanding and tools that you can apply in any situation in order to take control of your mindset and find solutions rather than focusing on problems.
We will explore 5 different parts of the PQ approach to give you a general overview of this life-changing approach to mental fitness. Feel free to get in touch with me at any point if you want anything explained further or don’t understand it.
What Is the PQ Approach?
The PQ Approach, developed by Shirzad Chamine, is a science-backed framework designed to help you strengthen your mental fitness. The ability to handle life’s challenges with a positive mindset rather than being hijacked by negative thoughts.
PQ stands for Positive Intelligence Quotient. The percentage of time your mind is working for you (your Sage) rather than against you (your Saboteurs).
“Positive Intelligence measures the relative strength of your positive mental muscles versus negative.”
Shirzad Chamine
This model draws on the latest findings in:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Behavioural Psychology
- Positive Psychology
- Performance Science
It’s not just theory. It’s a practical, actionable approach that gives you tools to shift how you think, feel and behave.
Why the PQ Approach Matters
Most coaching or self-help methods focus on symptoms, like procrastination, burnout or imposter syndrome. But the PQ Approach goes deeper. It helps you identify the root causes of self-sabotage and gives you tools to change your habitual thinking patterns from the inside out.
When you practise the PQ Approach regularly, you build the “mental muscles” to:
- Recognise and intercept negative self-talk
- Reduce stress, anxiety and overwhelm
- Respond to challenges with clarity and curiosity
- Cultivate confidence and emotional resilience
How the PQ Approach Works
Shirzad Chamine explains this model using a simple tech metaphor:
- Hardware = Your brain and nervous system
- Operating System = The PQ Approach
- Applications = Your skills and actions
Just like upgrading an operating system improves how your apps function, strengthening your PQ improves how you handle relationships, work, and life challenges.
The PQ Approach consists of five key parts, which we’ll explore in depth throughout this blog series. Click the links below to go to each section.
Part 1: Understanding the Science Behind PQ
At the core of the PQ Approach is a clear definition: Positive Intelligence is the percentage of time your mind serves you instead of sabotaging you. This percentage is not fixed. It can be improved with mental fitness training.
When your PQ is low:
- You’re more likely to feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed
- Your inner critic (or saboteurs) take the lead
- You operate from fear, judgement or avoidance
When your PQ is high:
- You feel more calm, centred and creative
- You recover from setbacks faster
- You show up with empathy, curiosity and confidence
Part 2: Saboteur Voices
We’ll explore the ten internal saboteurs that undermine your peace and productivity. These saboteurs are: the Judge, Controller, Hyper-Achiever, Restless, Pleaser, Hyper-Achiever, Victim, Stickler, Hyper-Rational and Avoider.
Part 3: Sage Powers
We’ll introduce the five Sage powers that help you navigate life from a calm, wise, and grounded place. The powers are: Empathise, Explore, Innovate, Navigate and Activate.
Part 4: Building Mental Fitness
You’ll learn daily practices and exercises that strengthen your mental fitness and reinforce the PQ mindset.
Part 5: Real-World Applications
We’ll show you how to apply the PQ Approach in your relationships, work, leadership and personal growth.
Why I’m Sharing the PQ Approach With You
As a mindset and habits coach, I’ve found the PQ Approach to be one of the most powerful and practical frameworks for deep, lasting change. Rather than just treating surface-level struggles, it helps you build a resilient, resourceful, and positive inner foundation.
By incorporating the PQ tools into my coaching and daily life, I’ve seen major shifts. Not just in productivity, but in emotional wellbeing, confidence and connection. And now, I’m excited to share it with you.
Let’s Begin Your PQ Journey
If you’re ready to quiet your inner critic, build unshakeable resilience and unlock your full potential, the PQ Approach can offer the guidance and tools you need.
Want to know which saboteurs are active in your life? Take the free Saboteur Assessment here to find out.
What Do you Think?
Shirzad Chamine’s PQ Approach is more than just a mental model. It’s a lifestyle shift. By understanding your mind’s operating system and learning to lead with your Sage rather than your saboteurs, you’ll find more peace, purpose and power in every area of life.
Stay tuned for the upcoming blog posts in this series, as we dive deeper into each aspect of the PQ approach and provide practical guidance for applying these principles in your life.
Get ready to embark on a path of personal growth, empowerment, and living a life of purpose and fulfilment!
If this article resonates with you and you want to discuss this further, then get in touch today. Either here or through any of my social medias or schedule a call to discuss it with me directly. This also applies if you can’t wait for the next posts and want to get this approach implemented in your life sooner rather than later!
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
To your success,
Jaiye
