Winning at life basically comes down to a combination of hard work, timing and luck. In order to get to where we want to be, and to have a happy and fulfilled existence, we really need the planets to all collide in our favour, right? Well yes, kinda. But life also involves making a series of decisions and hoping that we’ve chosen correctly. All of this becomes so much easier if you are well tuned in to your gut, if you don’t constantly doubt yourself, and if you acknowledge that no one knows whats best for you better than you.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz are four rules for a better life. The tiny book was first released in 1997 and is still recommended by so many as the simplest and most “doable” advice in a sea of self-help books. Our favourite quote from the book is “Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art”.

Rules are not always easy to follow. So lets call them “guidelines” or “advice”. But for sure these four are worth thinking about…

1: Be Impeccable with your word

Speak with integrity

Say only what you mean

Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others

Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love

2: Don’t Take Anything Personally

Nothing others do is because of you

What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream

When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering

3: Don’t Make Assumptions

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want

Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama

With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life

4: Always Do Your Best

Your best is going to change from moment to moment, it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick

Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret.

To sum up, as we always say, be kind, to yourself and to others, stop worrying about other peoples opinions of you and always do your best (even if some days that means just getting out of bed).

If you want to read more about the four agreements, you can buy  the teeny weeny book here.