Insights from The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Agreement #1: Be impeccable with your word
Merely set the intention to stop using words to harm yourself and others. Then, at the end of each day, reflect upon the quality of the words you said to yourself and others during the day. Imagine every word you said to yourself and others was broadcast to every phone in the world for every person to hear. Ask yourself, “Did my words uplift people, or did they depress people?”
2. Agreement #2: Don’t take anything personally
By not taking anything personally, you will never feel like a victim. And if you never feel like a victim, you never put yourself in a vulnerable state where the inner judge can thrive and keep you down.
3. Agreement #3: Don’t make assumptions
If you routinely make assumptions, you will experience countless interpersonal conflicts. When you assume and are wrong, the inner judge has reason to scold you. Keep the inner judge silent by never making assumptions. When you have an ounce of doubt, clarify.
4. Agreement #4: Always do your best
Think of times you walked away from a performance, not knowing if you had won or lost, but knowing deep down, you did your best. Remember the peace you felt. Even after you failed to get the reward you expected (the job, the trophy, etc.), you still felt no reason to judge yourself.