Every now and again I mention that I got onto this Personal Development (self-empowerment) Path after a bunch of significant setbacks, which eventually lead me to doing a Tony Robbins program kicking off in Easter 1999.
One of the primary changes I made as a result of the work, was to start reading non-fiction books.
Something about the power of knowledge.
Since then I have read 100’s and 100’s of books on all manner of topics, designed to enhance the quality of my life (and also others).
Since 1999 I have read some absolute life changing books.
Including Personal Development classics like ‘Think and Grow Rich‘, ‘The Power of Now‘, ‘Mans Search For Meaning‘, ‘Atomic Habits‘, ‘Mindset‘, and ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad‘, to name a few.
But the one I want to mention today is EPIC!!!
It ticks all of my boxes.
Simple.
Profound.
Easy to read (or listen to).
SUPER practical.
And it just makes SO MUCH sense.
The book, which I think packs a huge personal empowerment punch is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
I mean, just listen to his 4 big ideas (Agreements):
1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.
I hardly need to add any additional information to clarify them, as they JUST MAKE SENSE.
Using language intentionally, with clarity and specificity, is a total game changer.
Not taking things personally will reduce about 87% of the stress in ALL your inter-personal interactions, and make life so much more pleasant.
I imagine you have probably heard the saying: “When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me“.
(And we all know that Assumptions have no place when it comes to high-quality Decision Making).
And what better message is there than “always do your Best“?
There is no place or talk about “perfectionism” or “looking confident” or “trying to prove yourself”.
Just encouragement to do your best (which you have control over), when it comes to whatever you are doing; and then letting the RESULTS take care of themselves (which we often don’t have 100% control over).
Today’s message is a short one.
Do yourself a favour and read The Four Agreements.
Or listen to it.
It is packed with goodness and is a high-ROI investment in yourself.
Another way you could practically use these insights, is to focus on applying Agreement 1 for Week 1.
Then focus on Agreement 2 for Week 2, Agreement 3 for Week 3, and Agreement 4 for Week 4.
And, if you truly want to INTEGRATE the practices, then do the same thing for weeks 5-8, and weeks 9-12.
I guarantee you.
You will not be the same person at Week 12 as Week 1.
Change is inevitable.
See for yourself.
My Parting Words
There are good books, and then there are GREAT books.
The Four Agreements is one of the greats (and why it has 120,000 4-5 Star reviews on Amazon!).
Not only because it is an easy impactful read, but because of its profound simplicity.
The book doesn’t have 10 Agreements.
It has 4.
4 simple things that make a huge impact on our day-to-day lives.
These are super practical tips for everyday living.
I know that with my Coaching clients, when they truly integrate the one Agreements most relevant to them (i.e. a counterbalance for a poor behaviour they have), it actually changes their lives.
Imagine being a person who habitually takes things personally; no longer doing that?
The 2.0. version of them letting comments coming in their direction just fall away, like water off a ducks back.
True peace at last.
Which of the Four Agreements do you think you would love to adopt?
To be the 2.0. Version of you?
Then, I encourage you to do it.
Make it your daily mantra.
And identify all the ways in your day-to-day where you can apply it.
(Plus read the book for deeper insights and ideas to help it integrate).
Thank you Don Miguel Ruiz!!
Have a fabulous day, and a week where you focus on the Agreement which you would most love to be a part of your personal psychology.
Quotable QUOTE:
“Don’t take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality.“Don Miguel Ruiz.
(Author of 18 Ways We Make Life WAY Harder Than It Needs To Be)
PS: Have you read or listened to this book yet? 18 Ways We Make Life WAY Harder Than It Needs To Be
