EP195 S06: The Four Agreements 🎙️
What if I told you that four simple principles could eliminate the greatest portion of your daily stress, transform how you handle workplace criticism, and free you from the mental prison most people live in—without even realizing it?
I’ve seen The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz literally change careers and lives. Today, we’re diving deep into ancient Toltec wisdom that is more relevant now than ever.
#AdvancedQualityPrograms #TheQualityGuy #TheFourAgreements
Before we jump in, let me share something personal. Last month, a colleague called me “too theoretical” during a meeting. Five years ago, that would’ve weighed on me for an entire week. But thanks to what you’re about to learn, I simply smiled and continued my work. That’s the power of these Four Agreements.
The Toltecs understood something we’ve forgotten in our modern world: most of our suffering doesn’t come from external events, but from the stories we tell ourselves about those events. These aren’t just feel-good philosophies—they’re practical tools for professional and personal excellence.
🗣️ THE FIRST AGREEMENT: BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORDS
The first agreement is to be impeccable with your word. In quality management, I’ve learned that precision in communication can make or break a project. But Ruiz takes this even deeper.
Your words are like seeds—they create your reality. When you say, “I’m terrible at presentations,” you’re programming your subconscious for failure. When you gossip about colleagues, you’re poisoning your work environment.
“Impeccable” comes from the Latin meaning “without sin.” Not religious sin, but the sin of going against yourself. Every time you speak negatively about yourself, you commit this kind of sin.
🧠Try this for one week: Catch yourself every time you use self-deprecating language.
- Instead of “I’m so stupid,” say “I’m learning.”
- Instead of “I can’t do this,” say “I’m figuring this out.”
Your brain will literally rewire itself.
🚫 THE SECOND AGREEMENT: DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY
This is the game-changer—especially in professional settings. When someone criticizes your work, attacks your ideas, or ignores your contributions, your first instinct is to take it personally. But here’s the truth Ruiz reveals: Nothing others do is because of you.
That angry colleague I mentioned? His reaction had nothing to do with my competence and everything to do with his own fears about his project’s quality issues.
I use what I call the “mirror principle”: When someone is upset with me, I ask, 👉 “What internal struggle is this person projecting through their behavior?”
This shifts you from victim to observer, from reactive to responsive.
❓ THE THIRD AGREEMENT: DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
In quality systems, we have a saying: “Assumptions are the mother of all failures.” The Toltecs understood this centuries before modern management theory.
We assume we know what people think, mean, or want. Then we act on those assumptions and create unnecessary drama. I’ve seen million-dollar projects fail because someone assumed they understood the requirements—without asking clarifying questions.
🛠️ The antidote is simple (but not easy): Ask questions.
- When your boss seems frustrated, don’t assume you did something wrong.
- Ask: “I notice you seem stressed. Is there something I can help with?”
🌟 THE FOURTH AGREEMENT: ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST
This isn’t about perfectionism—it’s about sustainable excellence.
Your best on Monday morning after a good night’s sleep is different from your best on Friday afternoon after a tough week. The key is accepting both.
In quality management, we talk about “fitness for purpose.” Your effort should be fit for the current purpose and your current capacity.
Some days your best is extraordinary. Other days, your best is just showing up. Both are valid.
🔄 HOW THE FOUR AGREEMENTS WORK TOGETHER
Here’s how they integrate into a powerful mindset:
| Agreement | What It Changes |
| Be Impeccable with Your Word | Stops internal criticism |
| Don’t Take Anything Personally | Reclaims your emotional power |
| Don’t Make Assumptions | Prevents unnecessary conflict |
| Always Do Your Best | Ends self-judgment and burnout |
Together, they form a system for mental clarity, emotional resilience, and professional excellence.
Which agreement resonates most with you right now? Pick one agreement and focus on it completely. Notice how it changes not just your internal experience, but your external results.
That’s all for this week! Don’t forget to hit like and share. đź’¬ Which agreement resonates most with you right now? Let me know by commenting below with the number 1, 2, 3, or 4.
đź“š Thank you for your feedback and ratings on my books, Life Quality Projects and Principles of Quality. Get ready for The Quality Mindset, which is coming next month.
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