Shirzad Chamine

Interesting and useful but 1. it does not give a great case for the teachings it holds to be 'research based', and 2. it feels like it's written for executives and high performers who are having a hard time. Very few cases and very little discussion in the book are about normal people trying to have better lives (although the methods discussed would probably work to some degree for that too). In particular, there are many problems that normal people have that executives may not have, and these problems are not well considered in the book.

I listened to the Audiobook and I also did not really enjoy the authors reading and sometimes found it a bit distracting.

In summary, the content is good but should be better supported (by discussing studies that show particular results to be true) and the book should be framed for a general audience, not just executives who can't cope.… (lisätietoja)

Shirzad Chamine lectures at Stanford University on Positive Intelligence (PQ). Where IQ and EQ are common sense these day, PQ might be new to you. PQ measures the percentage of time your mind is serving you as opposed to sabotaging you. While your IQ and EQ (emotional intelligence) contribute to your maximum potential, it is your PQ that determines how much of that potential you actually achieve. That’s why Chamine presents his results in Positive Intelligence – Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential and How You Can Achieve Yours. Call it self-affirmation, positive thinking, overcoming fear, mindfulness, power thinking, or other related concept.
In Chamine’s terms it’s the struggle between Sage, who has access to your wisdom, insights, and often untapped mental powers and Saboteurs. The Saboteurs are internal enemies. They are a set of automatic and habitual mind patterns, each with its own voice, beliefs, and assumptions that work against your best interests. The author knows ten Saboteurs: Judge, Stickler, Pleaser, Hyper-Achiever, Victim, Hyper-Rational, Hyper-Vigilant, Restless, Controller and Avoider.
The great news is that you can improve your PQ significantly in as little as 21 days. With higher PQ, teams and professionals ranging from leaders to salespeople perform 30-35% better on average. Importantly, they also report being far happier and less stressed. Shirzad shows you how you too can take concrete steps to unleash the vast, untapped powers of your mind. Develop new brain “muscles,” and access 5 untapped powers with energizing mental “power games. Applications include team building, mastering workload, working with “difficult” people, improving work/life balance, reducing stress, and selling and persuading. Self-tests, the mental power games and lots of additional info can be found online at http://positiveintelligence.com/.

How appealing PQ might look, and reported results impress you, don’t forget that’s not your positive influence only that makes the world go round. It’s your faults and those of other people around us as well. I need God’s grace every day for my transgressions, which can’t be pushed away with positive thoughts.… (lisätietoja)

If you want to improve your life then read this book. Shirzad shows just how much your brain works against you and gives you the tools to enable it to work for you instead. This is not 'just another psychology book' but a real solution to the emotional hardships of life written by a gentleman who really cares. There is also a website which is very helpful with tools to assist you with your efforts.

A must read (including the website) for all those who think there is no help out there or you have to pay through the nose to get it. It will increase your sense of well-being and contentment and elminate the 'I'll be happy when...' thoughts. You'll be happy now!… (lisätietoja)