CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- We all grew up knowing about IQ. Then, several years ago, we started hearing a lot about EQ -- emotional intelligence -- with some researchers even claiming it's as important in predicting an individual's success as their intelligence quotient.

Not to be confused with the fast-food chain, another indicator has emerged in the form of "DQ" -- deserve quotient. While not as widely referenced as IQ or EQ, the concept of deserve quotient is the subject of a book, "You Deserve the Best," by psychotherapist Pat Pearson.

To get an idea of your DQ, write down the number corresponding to the appropriate answer in the following quiz.

Deserve quotient quiz

I believe I can have the material things I want.

1. Never, 2. Almost never, 3. Sometimes, 4. Most of the time, 5. Always

I believe I can have a good, loving relationship.

1. Never, 2. Almost never, 3. Sometimes, 4. Most of the time, 5. Always

I feel lovable and capable of loving others.

1. Never, 2. Almost never, 3. Sometimes, 4. Most of the time, 5. Always

I feel I can produce and perform well at my job or career.

1. Never, 2. Almost never, 3. Sometimes, 4. Most of the time, 5. Always

I would rate my love life:

1. Very low satisfaction, 2. Medium low satisfaction, 3. Medium satisfaction, 4. Medium high satisfaction, 5. High satisfaction

I would rate my work life (income, work climate, liking my job):

1. Very low satisfaction, 2. Medium low satisfaction, 3. Medium satisfaction, 4. Medium high satisfaction, 5. High satisfaction

I would rate my social contacts and friends:

1. Very low satisfaction, 2. Medium low satisfaction, 3. Medium satisfaction, 4. Medium high satisfaction, 5. High satisfaction

I feel capable of getting what I desire from life:

1. Never, 2. Almost never, 3. Sometimes, 4. Most of the time, 5. Always

My parents believe I'm a worthwhile, competent and lovable person:

1. Never, 2. Almost never, 3. Sometimes, 4. Most of the time, 5. Always

Scoring

Add up the numbers of the answers you circled. What your total means:

Below 20 points: Low deserve level

You don't truly believe you can have much in your life. Take a serious look at changing the statements you make to yourself about who you are and what life holds. You may want to get some counseling -- your beliefs about yourself are stopping you from prosperity.

21 to 30 points: Moderate deserve level

You believe you deserve some of life's rewards, though you block the full attainment of these good feelings and events. Some directed imagery and more positive visualization of the desired outcomes would certainly move you forward.

32 to 43 points: Higher deserve level

You are more in line with your positive beliefs of yourself and the world. Keep up the good work. Any dips in self-esteem or self-confidence should be treated immediately to insure continued improvement. You're on the way!

44 or higher: Very high deserve level

You are doing everything right. You are probably enjoying many benefits from your participation in life. No doubt you are a pleasure to know and associate with, both personally and professionally.

Did any of your answers surprise you? You may view yourself as more deserving in some categories than others. While we may consciously think we deserve more, we're all prone to subconscious thoughts that may result in self-sabotage. Fear is the operative agent of sabotage.

If we fear rejection, we reject ourselves first. If we fear abandonment, we abandon first -- and often we abandon ourselves as well as someone else. If we don't confront and resolve our fears, they win. The first step in mastering fear and raising your deserve quotient is to understand your sabotage strategies.

Sabotage strategies

Resignation: "Deep down I don't believe I deserve it, so I won't even go after it." "I don't like to get my hopes up. Then, if I don't get it, it won't hurt so much."

Throwing it away: "I get it, and then, because I don't believe I deserve it, I blow it."

Settling: "I want it, but I don't believe I'm good enough, so I'll settle for less. I won't try very hard because I probably won't get it anyway."

Denial: "I won't pay any attention to this problem. It will just go away."

The fatal flaw: People who use this strategy may elevate themselves by taking all the right steps but have a crucial personality problem -- perfectionism, excessive drinking, short temper, overwhelming guilt -- that undoes all their best efforts.

Beliefs are like icebergs. What sticks up into conscious awareness makes up only about 10 percent of your total belief system. A full 90 percent of your beliefs remain unconscious to your walking-around self, until you go looking for them. These unknown beliefs create your thoughts and direct your energy. Yikes!

Pearson boils all of this down to two principles:

1. Energy follows thought. Ever have one of those days when everything seems to go wrong? Your energy follows what you think about. If you stay within that negativity, you keep creating the same pattern.

2. Whatever you think about expands. What you focus on is what you'll get more of in your life. This is the basic concept of worry. You worry about money, and everything seems to drain your resources. You worry about your health, and every ache seems terminal.

Because of the power of your beliefs, both conscious and unconscious, you keep creating what you believe to be true. And guess what. You never exceed your own expectations.

An exchange between "Star Wars" Jedi knight Luke Skywalker and his sage mentor Yoda sums things up pretty well: "I don't believe it," says Skywalker. "That is why you fail," says Yoda.

Linda Arnold, MBA, is a certified wellness instructor and Chairwoman and CEO of The Arnold Agency, a marketing communications firm specializing in advertising, public relations, government relations and interactive marketing. Reader comments may be directed to Linda Arnold, The Arnold Agency, 117 Summers St., Charleston, WV 25301 or e-mailed to livelifefu...@arnoldagency.com.