For those of you who are new around these parts, welcome. For the rest of you Elevators, you may be aware that my educational topics tend to fall into one of two camps… the doing, the motion, the physical action that will yield quantifiable results. Or the being, the leadership, the degree to which we are the creators of our lives rather than simply riding some cosmic wave and hoping for the best.
Today, let’s talk about something powerful that we can all leverage as the bridge between the two.
Based on Toltec wisdom and traditions that began back in 900AD, Don Miguel Ruiz depicts four of the most simple, yet most powerful principles. Which he refers to as, “Agreements.”
When we are out of phase with these ideas, we will experience self-limiting beliefs, be robbed of joy, and suffer needlessly. But by honoring these basic agreements, we can transform our businesses — and really, our lives — and experience a new sense of freedom, happiness, love, and wealth.
Keep in mind, while simple to understand, they aren’t easy to implement. And they’re even more challenging to maintain. But with some awareness and some practice, benefits can be experienced almost immediately.
Agreement #1: Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Avoid speaking negatively about yourself, and minimize if not eliminate gossiping about others. Use your words to support truth and love.
Agreement #2: Don’t Take Anything Personally. What others say and do rarely has anything to do with us. It’s a projection of their own reality — and when delivered in an undesirable way, likely their insecurity and fear. When we become immune to the opinions and actions of others, we avoid being in the role of victim, and the needless suffering that goes with it.
Agreement #3: Don’t Make Assumptions. Try to find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. By communicating clearly with others — rather than hoping that they got what we said, or that we fully understand them — we can avoid misunderstandings and drama which follow.
And Agreement #4: Always Do Your Best. Our best will change from moment to moment and day to day. But if we always do our best, we can avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret. We can earn our keep with ourselves, and create the kind of self-esteem that has us buoyant in both hard and easy times. And the positive and welcoming energy that can impact others, and build healthy and successful personal and professional relationships.
The entire book of the Four Agreements is only a little over 100 pages — it can be read in a single sitting. And it can provide access to plugging some of the most common power leaks in the human dynamic. Which will most certainly impact everything you touch, including your business and the relationships within it.
Back in the day, pre-pandemic, I used to hand out a physical book and we’d pass it around the chapter. With the intention of continuing that impact, whomever wins Best Commercial today, doesn’t just get to go first next week with extra time. Text or email me and I’ll send you a copy of this power packed punch that will most certainly boost everything you’re up to.
Read the words, sit with the concepts, and then practice.
Oh, and for what it’s worth, try your best.