The PQ Program: A Proven Pathway to Mental Fitness and Mindful Living
PQ Mental Fitness
One of the most effective tools I use to help my clients live a more mindful and present life is Shirzad Chamine's Positive Intelligence (PQ) mental fitness training program. In this blog post, I’ll share why this modality has become a cornerstone of my practice and how it aligns with my organization's recent transition from Strategy Meets Soul to Deeper into Presence.
Let me start by saying that most of us are unaware that our current state of mind, or awareness, is often negative by default. This isn't a personal failing—it's just how our brains are wired for safety. Evolution has trained us to be hypervigilant, scanning for threats and dangers. In other words, our mindset is typically rooted in fear or self-preservation. Sadly for many people through their childhood years, scanning for and anticipating negative, painful or even dangerous circumstances became a survival skill – emotional survival and even physical. Protection is a good thing, but as mature adults, this negative default thinking creates more problems than it solves. So, how do we come out of the default reactions? It takes personal power.
There is power in becoming mindful of our default mental state. When we become aware (having knowledge and perception), we access a key to transformation.
What is this true power? It's not force—it's the power to activate your choice; to influence events and people (including yourself). With awareness we have the ability to shift from a disempowered state into one of positive, personal empowerment. Activating this shift is a function of our mental fitness muscle, which, like any other muscle, can be developed and strengthened over time.
In PQ, this development is known as building neural pathways—new neural connections that allow us to shift from negative reactivity to positive responses. Because PQ is grounded in
neuroscience research proves that positive mental practices can actually reshape the brain.
According to Shirzad’s research through Stanford University, MRI studies show that mental fitness exercises can shrink the brain’s “saboteur” regions (those associated with negative emotions) and strengthen the “sage” regions (those associated with positive emotions and problem-solving). This process takes time and practice, but it’s a skill that can be developed just like any other muscle.
Another powerful benefit of this training is the development of true freedom—the freedom to choose our response rather than reacting automatically. With practice, we can shift from automatic negative reactions to intentional positive responses. This shift creates a bridge and at the heart of that bridge is presence.
Presence is the ability to rest naturally in the moment, allowing us to take in real-time observations and make conscious choices. PQ offers the tools and methods to remind ourselves of this resting place, training us to establish a regular mindfulness practice. As my organization transitions from Strategy Meets Soul toward Deeper into Presence, PQ is playing a crucial role in helping clients cultivate this mindful awareness and provides the structure and community support to build this awareness in a sustainable and meaningful way.
I’ve been studying personal development for over 40 years, and I’ve encountered countless methodologies. However, PQ stands out as one of the best programs I’ve ever found. I would like to share with you the reasons below:
Community Element: PQ isn’t just about individual development. The program creates a supportive and fun environment with group experiences, buddy systems, and community accountability that make the process enjoyable and meaningful.
Portability: With a smartphone or computer, clients can access the PQ tools anywhere, making it incredibly adaptable to modern, busy lifestyles.
Incremental: The program is easy to integrate into daily life. Over the course of six weeks, participants engage in just a few 3-minute activities per day. It’s like doing a mental fitness boot camp that builds mental muscles gradually and effectively.
Evidence-Based: PQ is grounded in positive psychology, neurobiology, performance coaching, and mindfulness. It’s not just a feel-good program; it’s backed by scientific research, which makes it both credible and effective.
Simplified and Digestible: The concepts in PQ are easy to understand and apply. It’s structured in a way that makes mental fitness accessible to everyone, without the overwhelm that can sometimes accompany personal growth work.
I invite you to join me in this journey of developing your mental fitness and deepening your presence. Through PQ, we can cultivate true freedom, transform our reactions, and step into personal empowerment while being deeply supported within a safe and supportive container. Training cohorts dates are posted on my website. The next group starts Oct 28, ‘24. Register here today. I hope you'll join us!
