I’ve never been a big fan of personality tests as I hate “labeling” people.  I think everyone should simply follow these agreements to the best of their ability.

One of my most beloved books in the whole wide world is “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz.  I first heard about this book when Oprah announced it years ago on her television show and proclaimed that it was her favorite (which I believe she heard about from Ellen DeGeneres). It ties right into my world of mindset, abundance and Laws of Attraction.

I’ve read it a zillion times.  Sometimes I re-read the entire book and sometimes a specific chapter.  It’s been a gift to my clients over the past years too. My program, the Brilliance Coaching Group, has a book club, and this was our newest selection.

Each time I read this book, I get something new and different from it.  Perhaps, because I have changed?  Perhaps, because I am looking for something new?  With this being the year of choosing me, I was looking for words of wisdom to support my journey. 

Here’s what I took away.

The First Agreement: “Be Impeccable With Your Word.” 

Over the years, I’ve looked at this from different angles.  I’ve always liked the philosophy that people should “do what they said they’d do, the way the way they said they’d do it, and when they said they would do it by”.  It comes down to trust.  So, I’ve taken it a step further and started to eliminate people and companies that don’t follow that philosophy from my life.  Starting with the nail salon that was routinely late for every appointment (I found a better place very quickly!).

The Second Agreement: “Don’t Take Anything Personally” and the Third Agreement: “Don’t Make Assumptions”

I think these two agreements are the hardest to consistently implement and they go hand in hand. 

It’s so easy to get caught up in a story and not even know it’s a story.  I keep reminding myself of this and asking myself, “what is really the truth?” That’s one of the fastest ways I have to ground myself. 

It’s also about taking things a step further and not allowing these stories to determine my self-worth.  Not letting other people’s stuff create chatter in my head.  I know these things are easier said than done.  It’s what I teach my clients and what my coaches help me with too.  Bottom line, it’s about not giving my power away.

The Fourth Agreement: “Always Do Your Best”

As an over-achiever, I loved this agreement when I first heard it.  I’ve since come to realize that good enough sometimes is good enough. I had this conversation with one of my clients on our book club call.  After all, we can drive ourselves crazy always trying to be “perfect” (besides, what and who defines “perfect”?). 

My new way of looking at it is asking myself at the end of the day, did I do my best today as a whole? Not each little itty-bitty thing, but overall, did I do my best? Am I happy with how my day went?  Is there something I would like to change tomorrow? 

I’ve created my own new agreements.

I also decided that “today is a really good day” and I look around for all of the wonderful things in my life.  Each day, it gets easier and easier to find them.  My list today is that Cali is having a good day, the sun is out, I have a fun day planned, I slept well, I’m going to take a nice walk, I’ve had great coaching calls with my clients where they had powerful breakthroughs, and so on. “Having a good day” is my intention of how I want to live each day. I love how that feels and I love the experience I get back.

I choose to respond rather than react.  Again, it puts me in control of how I go through my day. Otherwise, my day can easily get off track taking me to a destination where I don’t want to be.

I’m choosing to use “The Four Agreements” as a guideline of what and whom I want to attract in my life.  It’s all about deliberately creating and stepping into the life I choose to lead.

This is my life and I decide how it goes.

What are you choosing?

Be Brilliant,

 

 

Kate

P.S.  If you’ve read “The Four Agreements”, please share below your big takeaway from the book.  

P.P.S.  Want to dive in even deeper to my teachings?  Check out my upcoming events. I’m hosting a virtual book club on this book.

P.P.P.S.  Cali drove a firetruck and meet firemen at a local festival.  Check out her photo above.