Soul Proprietor - The Four Agreements in your business

A few years ago, I heard Ellen DeGeneres speaking to Oprah Winfrey about a book that changed her life: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz. I’m an Ellen fan so I went out and purchased the book.

And it changed my life too. It also deeply influenced my business philosophy.

How?

I’m a highly sensitive person and one of the things that you quickly learn as an entrepreneur is that business requires a thick skin – even if you are in a heart-centered business. It’s easy to get upset by rude clients, a sucky day, a project that falls to pieces, or a launch that leads to nowhere.

But with an attitude adjustment, you can learn how to deal and this allows you to become a peaceful entrepreneur. The Four Agreements helped me to do just that.

The Four Agreements is a simple philosophy based on the Toltec path. The book helps to understand the beliefs and/or agreements we make with ourselves – and with others – that may be causing us pain or sorrow. Once we become mindful of the Four Agreements and reframe our thoughts and actions, we can then become liberated from negativity and the stinkin’ thinkin’ that holds us back from enjoying our life…and our business.

The Four Agreements are:

Be Impeccable With Your Word.

Don’t Take Anything Personally.

Don’t Make Assumptions.

Always Do Your Best.

Let’s look at how these can be applied to business dilemmas.

Be Impeccable With Your Word.

In business, this means doing what you say you will. If you make a promise to a client, then you do it, no matter what. No excuses. This creates a business built on integrity.

Being impeccable with your word can show up other ways too: speaking kindly to your colleagues and clients, returning calls and emails in a timely manner, telling the truth about your abilities, and keeping confidences. An entrepreneur who practices these ethics is a trusted one. You are only as good as your word and your business needs to be built on trust.

Don’t Take Anything Personally.

This is a biggie for heart-centered entrepreneurs and perhaps the hardest one to practice. Not taking anything personally means exactly what it says: when someone acts in a way that feels hurtful, it’s not because of you – this is a projection of THEIR reality. This reminds me of another favorite quote: “what other people think of me is none of my business.”

Does that mean that you don’t care if someone is unhappy with your service or doesn’t like you? Not at all. As a service provider, of course you always want to do a great job. But sometimes, even though you’ve done your best, someone may have a bone to pick or an axe to grind. Let that stuff go. Once you stop being controlled by their opinions or actions, you become powerful, resilient. You suffer less.

The next time a client, hater, troll, or not-so-friendly peer decides to rain on your parade, take a moment and breathe. Is there any merit to the situation? If there is, course correct quickly and move on from it. If there is zero value to their opinion, feel free to release the attachment to that energy and let the Universe sort that out. It does not belong to you.

Don’t Make Assumptions.

I am the queen of assumptions. Unfortunately, I’m often correct which makes this particular agreement the hardest one for me. I love to read between the lines and read into what people do or say. Which often leads to a whole lotta brooding and speculation. This is not happy stuff. (So many people I know are also guilty of this one.)

Learning how to ask direct questions has helped me to clear things up with clients, service providers and/or peers. Rather than sit and wonder when someone does or says something that seems suspect, find your courage and communicate.

When you start learning to let go of assumptions and be clear with your communication, you will be surprised at how much better you and your business will feel. Business relationships flourish with communication, not speculation.

Always Do Your Best.

That means no matter what, just do the best you can. No excuses, no regrets. Show up, give it your all and at the end of each day, you’ll feel good about your business.

These agreements may be simple but they are not easy to keep. I have been working with them for a while but I still get snagged in my own crapulous thinking from time to time, especially if I think I’ve upset someone…or if someone has upset me.

But when I come back to my center and to The Four Agreements, peace, respect, and unconditional love wash over me and my business continues to thrive in a way that feels good.

I invite you to check out the Four Agreements and test them on your business. You might just find true freedom and a happier entrepreneurial journey.

Blessings,

Theresa

Other books that have deeply influenced my business philosophy:

Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie

Everyday Zen: Love and Work (Plus) by Charlotte J. Beck