In 2016, I came across the concept of The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz.
While traveling from Ahmedabad to Udaipur, I listened to its audio. It came as a slap on my face.
It came as a slap because the concept was so profound, and I was naive to have wasted almost three decades without exposure.
The book discusses four simple agreements a human can have with herself. Those agreements are:
- Be impeccable with your words
- Don’t take anything personally
- Don’t make assumptions
- Always do your best
The agreements are very simple until you realize they are not. Most problems in our lives are because we don’t honor our words, we take things personally, we make assumptions, and we perform with mediocrity.
Think about it. I did, and I found the pattern that when I did not like something, I could not perform at my best! And more often than once, I used to take things personally.
I was touched by the concept that I decided to put it into practice, and … I must say that my life changed for good from that day onwards.
I have prepared a sketch note summary of the four agreements concept. Have a look at it. I would also encourage you to read the book (amazon link).
Did you realize that even if I call it the visual summary of the Four Agreements, there are five agreements in the Sketchnote?
The purpose of including the fifth agreement is because there is a subsequent book by the same author that expands the concept. The Fifth Agreement is also very powerful: Be skeptical, but learn to listen.
In fact, before including this concept in my way of living, I was skeptical … but I listened to what the author had to say. I paid attention to it and realized that this concept is Gold.
When we implement these agreements in our lives, our health, wealth, relationships, and spirituality improve. Try it yourself.
