Effects of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Table of Contents

Introduction
How the Book Changed My Life
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

As an avid reader, I have read numerous books covering various fields, including history, sociology, business, philosophy, medicine, and psychology. All of them had an impact on my life by the insights they provided. However, none of them was as transformational as The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. This book changed my life because it taught me how to live a great life by adhering to the four basic principles discussed by the author and applying them in various life situations.

How the Book Changed My Life

According to Ruiz, the four agreements are: being impeccable with ones word, not taking anything personally, not making assumptions, and doing ones best (Ruiz 24). After reading this book, my perspective on how to live a successful life that is based on personal values changed in a positive way. Currently, these principles form the foundation of my personal philosophy, which guides my actions and decisions. I have embedded them into my life as core beliefs. The book changed my life because before I read it, my life was mediocre: I easily conformed to peoples rules and performed below my potential. I was dissatisfied with my relationships and my performance in school. The insights gained from the book taught me the importance of living a reflective life that is founded on strong values and principles.

The two most important agreements that have had the most impact are avoiding taking anything personally and always doing my best. By living these agreements, I have transformed my life immensely since I read the book two years ago. I understand that peoples actions and words are a projection of their reality, not mine (Ruiz 34). So, I no longer become irritated or angry when someone acts in a manner that violates social norms. I dont experience needless emotional suffering because I avoid regret and self-criticism by doing my best at all times. This is based on the understanding that life changes from moment to moment (Magdalena 74). Living the four agreements is a challenging task because of the difficulties experienced in eliminating old habits (Jonson 56). I realized that changing negative habits is difficult and takes time. I never gave up and promised myself that I would be relentless until the agreements became a part of my life. The journey to excellence has been tough. However, I am still working hard to master the four principles and make permanent changes in my life.

Conclusion

Ruizs book contains gems of wisdom that, if relentlessly applied in life, can result in positive life transformation. The insights contained in the book helped me to improve my life by learning to keep my promises, avoiding taking things personally, avoiding making assumptions, and doing my best in all situations and circumstances. I read the book regularly to make sure that I am keeping the four agreements as I strive to achieve success in my life. I would recommend the book to young people who wish to improve their lives.