Title: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide To Personal Freedom
Author: Don Miguel Ruiz with Janet Mills
Genre: Self-help and Personal growth
Pages: 140
Published: 1997
The four agreements book is a self-help guide to attain personal freedom. We all have some self-limiting beliefs that make our lives challenging and stop us from reaching our full potential. A child believes that they can achieve anything they want in their lives, and then, this grown-up adult starts filtering out everything as possible and impossible. Filters increase with our age, and we often end up adding too many things to “the impossible list. ” The book took inspiration from the spiritual ideas of the ancient Toltec people.
What we do in our lives is driven by the set of agreements we have made with ourselves, others, god, or with life. We have the potential to change our life and fulfill our dreams, but the agreements imposed by society or the ones driven by fear are the killer of personal joy and freedom.
These agreements that are often fear-based make our life miserable by dwindling self-worth and causing unnecessary suffering. These agreements play an important role in deciding what is possible and what’s not.
So, the author proposes four agreements that an individual can make with oneself. These four agreements can improve your life regardless of external circumstances.
The Four Agreements:
Agreement 1: Be Impeccable With Your Word:
The author believes it to be the most difficult to follow. Speak with integrity, and don’t use words against yourself or someone else. Use your words wisely and use them in the direction of truth and love.
Agreement 2: Don’t Take Anything Personally
The author talks about our experiences with different people and how what they say impacts our lives. An individual must not lose their self-worth and identity by relying on the opinions of others. Each one of us has different perspectives on life and circumstances. So, what others say or do is a reflection of their identity. Stop taking things personally, and you’ll notice an improvement in your life.
Agreement 3: Don’t Make Assumptions
Making assumptions is probably one of the most common characteristics of a human being. Here the author says that the assumptions cause unnecessary suffering. We end up imagining so many things that result in conflicts, misunderstandings, and stress. Communicating and asking questions can protect our relationships and bring peace. Have the courage to ask questions and get rid of unnecessary drama, sadness, and misunderstandings.
Agreement 4: Always Do Your Best
Self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret can upset our mental health. We might function at our 100 % on a few days and 70, 40, or 20 % on the other. So, avoid self-judgment, always give your best, and your best can change according to your circumstances. Healthy or sick, always give your best(without being harsh on yourself) and love yourself. This agreement is also a part of self-love, understanding yourself and your needs.
Takeaway:
You can finish this book on a weekend. The four agreements can bring significant changes in your life. You may find it challenging in the first few days to implement it. So, paste them somewhere as a note. Practice daily, and you’ll see how your relationships improve with yourself and others. Also, check out our post on Mental diet and how simple changes can help you live a healthy happy life.

7 Comments
Sandy N Vyjay
March 27, 2022 at 6:25 pmThis sounds like a really nice and practical self-help book. The four agreements discussed here are indeed the cornerstones of a good and successful life.
Anjali Tripathi
March 27, 2022 at 8:52 pmThis appears to be an exciting book. That was something I felt we needed to learn. We can be sensitive with people at times, and we must remember not to take it personally. It’s more of a reflection of them than of us.
Samata
March 27, 2022 at 10:42 pmAfter reading the review what I can say is that you know how to bring the niche out from a book and present it for others to know what actually the book offers. AMAZING REVIEW
Jeannine
March 28, 2022 at 6:31 pmThose are incredible agreements to live by. I’m so loving this book and grateful for you sharing it! Your review is amazing which makes me more excited having my hands on this book soon.
Cindy Dsilva
March 28, 2022 at 7:15 pmOh wow i follow these 4 agreements with all the enthu. Especially not making assumptions. And not taking anything personally. Even when people make fun of me, i have no reaction at all. I just smile.
Shalini
March 28, 2022 at 10:54 pmI am not a fan of nonfiction book but your review makes me want to pick up this book. These 4 agreements are easy to live by.
The Champa Tree
March 29, 2022 at 1:03 pmSimply in love with your awesome book reviews. This one sounds like a good read. Will definitely give it a try.