Four Agreements

Y’all.

It’s been one of those weeks.

You know what I’m talking about.

“Challenging” barely scrapes the surface describing the difficulties faced…

I’m not going into it, though.

My personal trainer, who seems to be training more than just my muscles, asked if I knew about the Four Agreements.

As my mind started turning, I came up with nothing.

Four Agreements?  Four apostles? Four vodkas?  Geeze, what?!

She explained…

The Four Agreements to Practical Personal Freedom were written as a guide to furthering yourself in the workplace, with friendships, in life and overall:

1) “Be impeccable with your word”

• My take: I know myself.  I talk about others’ goings on…  I’m being honest, here. I don’t always speak kindly, but I’m simply working through things.  I’m talking through things, about things, about others…and trying to not gossip…But what fun is that? Oh, right… it’s hurtful. and it hurts me, too.

2) “Don’t take anything personally”

• ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!  That hypothetical interview question, about your biggest flaw in the workplace?  Mine is always that I CARE TOO MUCH!  I care to a fault. I take everything to heart.  When working with children this is beautiful, and also a huge burden.  How can I not take what I do, personally? Isn’t that the point? Why do anything if you don’t back it, personally?  But I see the message.  I get the meaning.  If only… if only…
  

3)  “Don’t make assumptions”

• I know what she’s thinking…. Because I did ___ they probably think____ …. She’s acting from this POV since she thinks I did ____ …. She wants to do ___ because I did ____ …. He’s feeling ___ because I ____ … She’s mad because I ____…They don’t understand I ____ ….She didn’t have time to___ so now I have to ___ … She doesn’t appreciate me… They don’t get where I’m coming from… They don’t like me…They don’t have time for me… Why do I put others before me…

 4) “Always do your best”

• THIS.  My parents told me this since the day I started fending for myself.  I put my best foot forward. I honestly can say I don’t stop until my best is done.  My work is my life. My friendships are my blood. My love is my all.  My life is everything I have to give.  Because if something is not your best? it’s not worth doing.  I don’t do anything half-assed.  Anything worth doing is worth doing well – TEN fold.

If you can say 1) Your word is impeccable, 2) You don’t take it personally, 3)You don’t make assumptions, and 4) You’ve done your best  — THEN all is ok.  Everything is worth it.

There is nothing more to do if you can agree to those four items.

Because at the end of the day, if those four agreements are covered?

You’re golden.

I looked back on this week of challenges (*Valentine’s Day aside*). I might not be able to say “yes” to the four agreements, but I will be able to in the future — because they are worth remembering and worth living to help me strive for a better tomorrow.

My word. My self. My understanding. My best.

Which of those is the hardest for you??

(For me: not taking it personally!!)

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