Understanding Your Saboteurs: How to Overcome Inner Obstacles and Ignite Your Intuition

Ever found yourself overthinking the simplest decisions or procrastinating until it becomes an Olympic event? Or perhaps you set standards so high they require scaffolding and a prayer? Same. You’re not broken; you’re just human. Many of us have a few internal Saboteurs running the show.

These Saboteurs aren’t inherently bad. They were once survival strategies. But now, they’re sabotaging your growth, especially if you’re a business-minded, intuitive woman in her prime who’s ready for more. More joy. More clarity. More you.

Let’s explore the 10 Saboteurs identified by Shirzad Chamine’s Positive Intelligence® program. We’ll also look at how to start shifting out of their grip using your most underutilized asset: your intuition.

What Are Saboteurs, Anyway?

In Positive Intelligence, Saboteurs are automatic mental habits that hijack your thoughts, emotions, and actions. Think of them as a cast of an inner drama you didn’t audition for but got the starring roles anyway. These characters keep you “safe” by playing old scripts—scripts that once served you but now keep you stuck.

Your Saboteurs want control, certainty, and perfection. Meanwhile, your intuition seeks freedom, flow, and fulfillment. The good news? Once you spot them, you can shift your mindset.

The 10 Saboteurs: A Quick Meet-and-Greet

Each Saboteur has its own set of fears, childhood roots, and charmingly destructive habits. Here's your lineup:

1. The Judge

You vs. You. You vs. Others. You vs. Circumstances. The Judge is always picking a fight. It criticizes you for not being good enough, others for not doing it right, and life for not going to plan. This constant pressure creates dissatisfaction and self-doubt.

• Childhood root: Learned to criticize self/others to feel in control.

• Common thought: “I’m not enough. They’re not enough. This situation is a mess.”

• Intuitive Shift: Pause. Breathe. Ask, “What’s the wisest, kindest truth right now?”

  
  
  
  

2. The Controller

This Saboteur believes the only path to safety is to take charge—of people, plans, and outcomes. It runs on intensity, often overwhelming or alienating others. Beneath the surface is a deep fear of chaos.

• Childhood root: Gained safety by being in control.

• Common thought: “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done right.”

• Intuitive Shift: Practice surrender. Let someone else lead.

  
  
  
  

3. The Hyper-Achiever

Success isn’t just important to the Hyper-Achiever—it’s everything. It ties self-worth to external achievements, creating burnout and disconnection from your authentic self.

• Childhood root: Received love for performance, not presence.

• Common thought: “I must succeed to be valued.”

• Intuitive Shift: Redefine success as alignment, not achievement.

  
  
  
  

4. The Pleaser

The Pleaser seeks validation by putting others first, often without being asked. It sacrifices your own needs for approval and harmony, leading to resentment and authenticity fade.

• Childhood root: Avoided conflict by people-pleasing.

• Common thought: “If they’re happy, I’m safe.”

• Intuitive Shift: Tune in. What you need matters just as much.

  
  
  
  

5. The Avoider

This Saboteur avoids hard conversations, conflict, or anything emotionally uncomfortable. It masks avoidance as peace, but it creates tension by suppressing important truths.

• Childhood root: Learned to suppress emotions or avoid pain.

• Common thought: “It’s not worth the trouble.”

• Intuitive Shift: Discomfort is often a doorway. Trust your gut.

  
  
  
  

6. The Victim

The Victim thrives on emotional intensity, believing life happens to you, not for you. It uses pain to gain attention or sympathy, keeping you stuck in a passive role.

• Childhood root: Used suffering to gain love or attention.

• Common thought: “No one sees how hard this is.”

• Intuitive Shift: Choose agency. You’re the author of your story.

  
  
  
  

7. The Hyper-Rational

This Saboteur relies almost exclusively on logic and facts. Feelings are deemed “soft” and relationships optional. While intellect is a gift, it can limit intuition.

• Childhood root: Valued intellect over emotion for safety.

• Common thought: “Feelings are a distraction.”

• Intuitive Shift: Intuition lives in the body and heart. Don’t shut the door on wisdom.

  
  
  
  

8. The Hyper-Vigilant

Always alert and anticipating danger, the Hyper-Vigilant believes the worst-case scenario is around the corner. It creates chronic anxiety and erodes trust in yourself.

• Childhood root: Grew up in unpredictable environments.

• Common thought: “Something bad could happen at any moment.”

• Intuitive Shift: Stillness isn’t laziness; it’s presence.

  
  
  
  

9. The Restless Saboteur

This Saboteur constantly seeks new stimulation, making it hard to stay focused. It believes that being busy means being worthy, leading to shiny-object syndrome.

• Childhood root: Distracted from pain by staying busy.

• Common thought: “There’s got to be something better.”

• Intuitive Shift: Depth is where the gold is. Breathe into what’s here now.

  
  
  
  

10. The Stickler

The Stickler wants order, rules, and perfection now. It sets unrealistically high standards, making you frustrated when they aren't met.

• Childhood root: Earned approval through perfection.

• Common thought: “It has to be just right.”

• Intuitive Shift: Done is often more powerful than perfect.

  
  
  
  

Why This Matters for Personal Growth (and Business, Too)

Whether you’re running your own business or just trying to keep your sanity while considering it, these Saboteurs likely shape your decisions. They feed self-doubt and drown out your intuition. Your personal growth journey isn't about erasing them; it’s about relating to them differently.

Here’s where it gets interesting. You can shift those internal dialogues with awareness, compassion, and some science-backed techniques. That means quieting the noise and learning to trust the whisper of your intuition.

A Simple Practice to Start Today

Try this simple practice today:

1. Notice: Identify which Saboteur is loud today.

2. Practice: Do one 10-second PQ rep (rub your fingertips together slowly, feel the texture).

3. Reflect: Ask your inner Sage: “What’s the kind, wise next step here?”

   
   

Tiny shifts like this help you reclaim your mental clarity and brilliance.

Ready to Meet Your Saboteurs?

Take the official (and fascinating) **Saboteurs Assessment** here.

If you’d like to go deeper, download my worksheet: “Getting to Know ME” (Me as yourself). It’s filled with gentle, eye-opening prompts to reconnect with your inner wisdom and see your Saboteurs for what they really are—well-meaning but outdated protectors.

Subscribe to my email list, and you’ll receive it for free + a 10% off coupon for any item in my shop!

Sources

• Chamine, S. Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential and How You Can Achieve Yours.

• PositiveIntelligence.com

• Research on neuroplasticity and habit change: Harvard Health

• Intuition science and decision-making: APA