Free Yourself Daily Hub

On this blog, we talk about living a better, balanced, and peaceful life. While we work to detox from the things around us, improve our physical health, and make choices that serve us not just today but for long-term peace, happiness and success, none of it truly matters if we listen to the voice in our heads saying, “This is just dumb.”

I really enjoyed reading Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine. The book helped me notice and break down some of my own inner voices that were holding me back. What immediately caught my eye was the subtitle: “Why only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential.” That really made me think — if so few people reach their potential, what’s stopping the rest of us?

If you’re feeling stuck or know you need a change, I highly recommend this book. The real change starts within — and Positive Intelligence shows you how to recognize the forces in your mind that are working for you — and against you.

Positive Intelligence is the measure of how well your mind works for you instead of against you. It’s about recognizing the internal voices that sabotage your progress and learning how to strengthen the part of your mind that supports growth, curiosity, confidence, and clear thinking.

Your potential isn’t limited by your skills — it’s limited by how your mind works against you.

In Positive Intelligence, the mind is described as a battlefield between two forces:

• The Saboteurs — the inner critics driven by fear, self-doubt, and judgment.
• The Sage — the calm, curious, and creative side of your mind that focuses on growth and solutions.

When the Saboteurs are in control, they drain your energy, narrow your perspective, and hold you back from what you’re capable of achieving. But when you strengthen your Sage, you unlock clarity, confidence, and real performance.

The Judge: The Master Saboteur

At the center of every person’s internal struggle is the Judge.
It’s that inner voice that constantly evaluates you, others, and your circumstances — often harshly.

It says things like:

• “You’re not doing enough.”
• “You’ll fail if you try that.”
• “Why take the risk.”

The Judge disguises itself as logic or protection, but it’s really the voice of fear. It convinces you that staying where you are is safer than trying something new. It keeps you comfortable — but stuck.

Then there are the accomplice saboteurs — The Pleaser, the Controller, the Avoider, the Hyper-Achiever, the Hyper-Rationale, the Hyper-Vigilant, the Restless, the Stickler, and the Victim — that reinforce the Judge’s beliefs. For example, you might tell yourself, “I can’t apply for that better-paying job; I’m safe right here.” But deep down, that’s fear pretending to be practicality.

As you read the names of the Saboteurs, you’ll probably recognize at least one in yourself.

Perspective and Potential

Recognizing your Saboteurs is the first step toward reclaiming your potential.
It’s not about silencing your thoughts — it’s about learning which voice to listen to.

When you start to separate from your Judge, you open space for growth. And growth begins with perspective.

You begin shifting from “I can’t” to “How can I?”
From “I’m not ready” to “What if I tried?”
That’s your Sage taking over — leading with curiosity and confidence instead of fear.

Try This

Read the book and spend some time in a quiet space. It doesn’t have to be complicated — just still your surroundings and your mind. Visualize what you want as success. Keep it realistic and short-term — not “apartment to island,” but a small, steady step forward.

Notice when your thoughts say “I can’t” and gently replace them with “How do I?” or “I get to.”
That small shift changes the energy from resistance to possibility — and that’s where progress begins.

Rewriting the Story

When you quiet the Saboteurs and strengthen your Sage, your focus, confidence, and performance grow naturally.

Because your potential isn’t defined by what you do — it’s defined by how you think.
And once you see yourself differently, everything around you begins to change too.

Remember, you’re only one decision or change away from a better life. Let it begin within, and with what you choose to allow into your world.

Check the book our yourself: Positive Intelligence

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