Last week, I attended the Central Ohio PMI Professional Development Day, and one session has stuck with me ever since. Natalie Siston’s keynote on Positive Intelligence introduced me to the idea of saboteurs—those sneaky inner voices that generate negative emotions, erode our confidence, and hold us back.

As someone who’s always valued self-awareness, this concept hit close to home. And when I learned more about the ten types of saboteurs, I immediately recognized my own: the Hyper-Achiever.

Meet the Hyper-Achiever

For most of my life, I’ve leaned on my Hyper-Achiever saboteur to push me forward. On the surface, it seemed like a strength. After all, this drive has helped me achieve so much.

But here’s the thing: success tied to external validation can be exhausting. The Hyper-Achiever constantly seeks the next big win, discounting past achievements almost as soon as they’re accomplished.

When I started my business, this saboteur made it incredibly difficult for me to feel successful. Unlike in a traditional job, where there’s feedback and measurable results, entrepreneurship often feels like planting seeds and waiting. Without a boss or team to validate my efforts, I became my own toughest critic, always asking, “Am I doing enough?”

The Shift: Focus on Lead Indicators

What helped me break free from the grip of my saboteur was this mindset:
"Let go of the results. The results are lag indicators. Pay attention to the lead indicators."

Lag indicators—like revenue or client growth—are the outcomes we aim for, but they often come later and feel out of our control. Lead indicators, on the other hand, are the daily actions we can take to create momentum: showing up, sharing value, and building relationships.

This shift allowed me to celebrate my progress based on what I could control, rather than getting caught up in waiting for external results.

The Path to Self-Mastery

Natalie shared an empowering framework to overcome self-sabotage and move toward self-mastery:

1. Recognize Your Saboteur: Awareness is key. Start by noticing when negative thoughts or feelings surface.

2. Pause with PQ Reps: These simple exercises ground you in the present moment, interrupting the saboteur’s spiral.

   Examples of PQ Reps:

   • Rub two fingertips together and focus on the ridges.

   • Observe an item in the distance, noting its color, shape, and texture.

   • Close your eyes and listen for the furthest sound.

   • Close your eyes again and listen for the closest sound.

   • Take three deep breaths, focusing on the sensation of air moving through your body.

3. Adopt the Sage Perspective: This is the game-changer. The Sage Perspective teaches that “Every outcome and circumstance is a gift or opportunity.” Instead of spiraling into frustration or self-doubt, look for what you can learn or how the situation could lead to growth.

4. Use Your Sage Powers: Positive Intelligence highlights five Sage Powers that can help shift your mindset:

   • Empathize: Be kind to yourself and others.

   • Explore: Approach challenges with curiosity.

   • Innovate: Find creative solutions to problems.

   • Navigate: Keep sight of your long-term goals and values.

   • Activate: Take focused, intentional action.

My Takeaway

Overcoming the Hyper-Achiever saboteur hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. By practicing PQ Reps, adopting the Sage Perspective, and focusing on lead indicators, I’ve not only reduced stress but also found more joy in the process of building my business.

If any of this resonates with you, I encourage you to take the free Saboteur Assessment and see which saboteurs might be holding you back.

And remember, success is about more than results. It’s about the journey, the growth, and the opportunities we create along the way.

Ready to Level Up Your Leadership?

This kind of mindset work is a key part of what I help business owners within my LEO Method program (Lead, Empower, Optimize).

Through 1:1 leadership coaching, we tackle the saboteurs, mental blocks, and habits that might be holding you back. Together, we’ll:

• Build self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

• Develop strategies to lead with clarity and confidence.

• Empower your team to take ownership and drive results.

The LEO Method combines mindset mastery with practical systems to transform both you and your business. If you’re ready to elevate your leadership, empower your team, and optimize for growth, let’s chat!

👉 To learn more about the LEO Method here reach out to schedule a call.