Be Impeccable with Your Word — Applying The 4 Agreements to Your Private Practice

In 1999, while WWOOFing in Australia and New Zealand, “The Four Agreements” by don Miguel Ruiz was one of two books I carried in my backpack. (The other was “Hands of Light” by Barbara Brennan.)

These books were hugely influential in the next phases of my life as I continued my Reiki teaching and entered into my profession as an acupuncturist.

What’s amazing, is that now, 20 year later, The Four Agreements continue to bring me back to center, remind me of what’s important, help me maintain integrity, and continue to grow.

The four agreements are deceptively simple and powerfully deep:

1. Be impeccable with your word.

2. Don’t take anything personally.

3. Don’t make assumptions.

4. Always do your best.

What fantastic reminders for all aspects of life, including our business! Each one of these agreements is so rich that I’m going to take them one at a time. Today, we will consider how the first agreement — “Be Impeccable with Your Word” — can be integrated into your practice.

As holistic practitioners, many of us already understand the power of words and how they can be of service to our patients. Where I see my coaching clients waver, is with unpracticed self-talk. When we take this first agreement to heart and treat ourselves well, there is a deepening in our capacity to extend that to others.

How can we be impeccable with our words towards ourselves?

Our thoughts are inspired by the questions we ask ourselves. And our mind will answer any question, even if it has to make up an answer. The best way to change our thinking is to ask ourselves different questions.

For example, asking “Why is it so hard to grow my practice?” will bring only negative answers. “I’m not good at business”, “I hate the idea of marketing myself”, or “I’m charging too much for my services,” etc.

Let’s shift the question to “How can I add more value to my patients and potential patients, growing my practice with joy?” This positively framed query will produce more helpful thoughts. Go ahead and take 3 minutes to jot down some ideas!

Next time I will share thoughts on the 2nd agreement and the toughest practice for me: Don’t take anything personally.

Until then,

Have a beautiful day!

Love,