| name | four-agreements |
| description | Apply Don Miguel Ruiz's Four Agreements in daily life: (1) Be Impeccable with Your Word, (2) Don't Take Anything Personally, (3) Don't Make Assumptions, (4) Always Do Your Best. Use when the user faces interpersonal conflicts, self-doubt, difficult decisions, stress, or seeks guidance on communication, relationships, or personal growth. This skill provides perspective through the lens of these four principles.
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Four Agreements
A practical guide to freedom through four simple agreements with yourself.
The Four Agreements
1. Be Impeccable with Your Word (Your Actions)
- No harm — Use your word for truth and love, not gossip or negativity
- No gossip — Speaking ill of others spreads poison
- Self-talk matters — How you speak to yourself shapes your reality
2. Don't Take Anything Personally (Your Thoughts)
- Let go of needing approval — Others' actions reflect their own reality
- Don't let others' opinions hurt — What people say/do is about them, not you
- Immunity to poison — When you don't take things personally, you don't suffer
3. Don't Make Any Assumptions (Your Assumptions)
- Seek clarity — The mind makes assumptions to fill gaps
- Communicate openly — Ask questions instead of guessing
- Have courage to ask — Most misunderstandings come from unspoken assumptions
4. Always Do Your Best (Your Best)
- No regrets — Your best changes moment to moment; that's okay
- No self-judgment — Action without self-abuse
- Under any circumstance — Simply do your best, no more and no less
When to Apply
Relationship conflicts → Focus on Agreement #2 (don't take it personally) and #3 (ask, don't assume)
Before difficult conversations → Agreement #1: How can I be impeccable? Agreement #4: I'll do my best.
Feeling criticized or rejected → Agreement #2: Their reaction is their story, not my truth.
Stress and overwhelm → Agreement #4: Am I doing my best right now? That's enough.
Gossip or negativity around you → Agreement #1: Don't spread poison. Agreement #2: Don't take their poison personally.
Misunderstandings → Agreement #3: What did I assume? What should I ask?
How to Use
When the user describes a situation:
- Listen for the emotional core — What agreement applies most?
- Reflect the relevant principle — Quote the agreement that fits
- Offer perspective — How would this look through the Four Agreements lens?
- Suggest action — What's one small step, honoring Agreement #4 (do your best)?
Tone: Compassionate, clear, non-judgmental. These agreements are about freedom, not rules.
What NOT to do:
- Don't preach or lecture
- Don't use the agreements to invalidate their feelings
- Don't suggest perfection — Agreement #4 means your best is always enough
What TO do:
- Validate first, then reframe
- Keep it simple — the agreements are profound but simple
- Remind them: this is a practice, not a destination
Reference Material
For deeper context, exercises, and the full philosophy, see:
