Podcast Summary: Power Hour Optometry
Episode Title: Mental Fitness Is the Missing Link: How Your Mindset Might Be Undermining Your Practice’s Growth
Host: Eugene Shotsman
Guest: Natalie Cistin, Speaker, Author, Lead Presenter at Positive Intelligence
Release Date: June 18, 2025
Source: www.PowerPractice.com
Introduction to Mental Fitness in Optometry
In this insightful episode of Power Hour Optometry, host Eugene Shotsman shifts the focus from the traditional topics of technology and KPIs to a more foundational aspect of running a successful optometry practice: mindset. Joining him is Natalie Cistin, a renowned speaker and author from Positive Intelligence, who introduces a framework designed to help professionals retrain their thinking patterns to enhance both personal and business success.
Understanding Saboteurs and Their Impact
Saboteurs Defined
Natalie Cistin elucidates the concept of "saboteurs"—negative thought patterns that undermine productivity, relationships, and overall business growth. She emphasizes that these saboteurs are inherent in everyone and can have significant detrimental effects on an optometry practice.
"Your negative thought patterns are getting in the way of your success every single day."
— Natalie Cistin [03:49]
Identifying Saboteurs
Eugene highlights his personal experience by sharing his top saboteur—Hyper Rational—with a score of 8.1.
"Your negative thought patterns, which we call saboteurs of positive intelligence, are getting in our way."
— Natalie Cistin [03:43]
Examples of Saboteurs
Natalie provides an overview of the nine saboteurs, explaining how each can manifest in daily business operations. Some of the key saboteurs discussed include:
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Avoider:
"Would rather not have the tough conversation... this saboteur delivers exactly the opposite that they promised."
— Natalie Cistin [05:27] -
Controller:
"Leadership under fear is Controller. And that destroys relationships."
— Natalie Cistin [14:04] -
Hyper Achiever, Hyper Rational, Hyper Vigilant:
Each represents overused strengths leading to negative outcomes like burnout, neglecting emotions, and constant anxiety. -
Pleaser, Restless, Stickler, Victim:
These saboteurs lead to self-neglect, perpetual motion to avoid emotions, perfectionism, and needing rescue, respectively.
"We all have a little bit of restlessness, especially with the digital world we're living in."
— Natalie Cistin [15:07]
The Four-Step Mental Fitness Operating System
Natalie introduces a four-step process which she refers to as the "operating system of mental fitness," designed to counteract the influence of saboteurs and foster positive thinking.
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Identify Saboteurs
Recognize which saboteurs are active within you. Natalie recommends taking a free online assessment at positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs to determine your top saboteurs."There's a free online assessment... it will show you the strength of those saboteurs."
— Natalie Cistin [04:10] -
Calm Yourself Down (PQ Reps)
Implement techniques to shift from negative to calm, neutral states. Natalie guides listeners through a quick mindfulness exercise involving sensory focus to interrupt negative thought loops."We are slowing that negative thinking brain or shutting it down completely by being in a physical sensation."
— Natalie Cistin [34:41] -
Assume the Sage Perspective
Shift your viewpoint to see challenges as opportunities. This perspective allows for constructive responses rather than emotional reactions."Every challenge, every problem can be converted into something better."
— Natalie Cistin [37:45] -
Activate Sage Power
Utilize one of the five sage powers—Empathize, Explore, Innovate, Navigate, Activate—to effectively address and solve problems."How might my saboteur get in the way of me taking action?"
— Natalie Cistin [46:11]
Sage Powers Explained
Natalie delves deeper into the five sage powers, providing practical examples and strategies for implementation:
-
Empathize:
"Having empathy for self and others in the situation."
— Natalie Cistin [43:05] -
Explore:
"Zoom out, become curious and fascinated about the situation."
— Natalie Cistin [43:05] -
Innovate:
"Generate solutions collaboratively by acknowledging and building on each idea.""What I like about that idea is..."
— Natalie Cistin [43:37] -
Navigate:
"Focus on what is important in the long term, letting go of insignificant stressors."
— Natalie Cistin [44:01] -
Activate:
"Take calm, clear-headed, focused action without saboteur interference."
— Natalie Cistin [46:11]
Practical Implementation in an Optometry Practice
Eugene and Natalie discuss how optometry professionals can integrate this mental fitness framework into their daily operations to enhance performance, relationships, and overall well-being.
Team-Wide Assessment and Dialogue
Natalie recommends that practice owners and their teams take the saboteur assessment together to foster a culture of self-awareness and mutual understanding.
"When you label the saboteurs, you almost take some of the emotion out of it."
— Natalie Cistin [48:03]
Embedding Practices
Implement small but impactful practices such as designated moments for staff to engage in PQ reps, or creating spaces akin to a restaurant's refrigerator for cooling off during stressful moments.
"What's your equivalent of the refrigerator or freezer in a restaurant where you can go and take a beat when you need to."
— Natalie Cistin [49:58]
Strategic Meetings and Sage Powers
Incorporate the use of sage powers during team meetings to collaboratively address challenges and leverage collective strengths for problem-solving.
Impact on Business Performance and Revenue
Natalie shares the positive outcomes observed when the mental fitness operating system is adopted within organizations:
-
Enhanced Performance:
Teams become more creative and effective by fostering open dialogue and utilizing diverse strengths. -
Improved Relationships:
Understanding and managing saboteurs leads to healthier interpersonal dynamics and reduced conflicts. -
Increased Well-Being:
Practices that promote mental fitness contribute to lower burnout rates and higher job satisfaction.
"When people are given space to thrive and be in their gift, that's when we get the return from a revenue retention perspective."
— Natalie Cistin [51:29]
Getting Started with Positive Intelligence
Natalie outlines actionable steps for optometry professionals to begin their journey towards mental fitness:
-
Take the Saboteur Assessment:
Begin with a personal assessment to identify dominant saboteurs. -
Engage the Team:
Encourage all team members to take the assessment to foster collective awareness. -
Utilize the Positive Intelligence App:
Follow a guided, eight-week program to systematically build and strengthen mental fitness. -
Continuous Practice:
Integrate PQ reps and sage powers into daily routines and business processes.
"Positive Intelligence is a book by the same name. And we go through each of these five sage powers."
— Natalie Cistin [39:10]
Conclusion: Transforming Mindset for Practice Growth
Eugene and Natalie conclude by reinforcing the significance of mental fitness in driving business success. By identifying and managing saboteurs, optometry professionals can create a more positive, productive, and profitable practice environment.
"I really appreciate you having me here to represent positive intelligence and hope everyone takes this back and uses it to make where you are even better."
— Natalie Cistin [53:39]
Resources Mentioned:
- Positive Intelligence Assessment: positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs
- Book: Positive Intelligence by the Positive Intelligence team
- Website: www.PowerPractice.com
This episode underscores the critical role of mindset in the growth and sustainability of optometry practices. By adopting the strategies discussed, professionals can mitigate the impact of negative thought patterns and unlock their full potential for success.