---
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.
---

# 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:

1. **Listen for the emotional core** — What agreement applies most?
2. **Reflect the relevant principle** — Quote the agreement that fits
3. **Offer perspective** — How would this look through the Four Agreements lens?
4. **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:
- [references/deeper-dive.md](references/deeper-dive.md) — Expanded wisdom and practical exercises