Autumn: Today we're diving into "Positive Intelligence" by Shirzad Chamine to tackle those inner voices that seem determined to trip us up, even when we’re trying our best to succeed. Autumn: Ever feel like you’re your own worst enemy? You make progress, maybe start a healthy habit or aim for a promotion, only to find yourself slipping back? That’s self-sabotage. For busy professionals, it’s the inner Judge whispering you’re not ready for that presentation, or the Pleaser making you say yes to everything, leading straight to burnout. These internal "Saboteurs," as Chamine calls them, hijack our brains, keep us stuck in stress, drain our energy, and prevent us from reaching our true potential. Sound familiar? Autumn: So, how do we stop tripping ourselves up? The book reveals it starts with recognizing these Saboteurs – that harsh Judge or the anxious Controller. Simply noticing and labeling them when they show up, like, "Ah, there's my Judge again," actually loosens their grip. But awareness isn't enough. We need to strengthen our "Sage" – that wiser, calmer part of us that operates from curiosity, empathy, and creativity. Instead of reacting with frustration to a setback, your Sage asks, "What opportunities might be hidden here?" The key is building the mental muscle to access this Sage perspective more often. Chamine suggests quick, 10-second exercises called "PQ Reps." Think simple things: truly feeling your feet on the ground, focusing intently on the sensation of your breath for a few cycles, or noticing the texture of something in your hand. These aren't huge time commitments, but doing them consistently interrupts Saboteur patterns and shifts you from your reactive "Survivor Brain" to your resourceful "PQ Brain," where your Sage lives. Autumn: Your takeaway for today? Try just one PQ Rep. Next time you feel that familiar wave of stress or hear that inner critic pipe up before a meeting, pause. Take 10 seconds. Focus entirely on the physical sensation of your breathing. Can you feel even a tiny bit more space or calm? That’s your Sage emerging. I'm Autumn, keep building that mental fitness, and I'll meet you back here on Five Percent Happier.