This is absolutely one of my favorite books! I first read it may be 25 years ago, and the Four Agreements that it talks about, are agreements I have made with myself, and have worked really hard to implement them into my life, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job of it.
Books like this, with “time-honored principles”, are books that will have a lasting lifetime impact if you want them to.
The Four Agreements:
- Don’t Take Anything Personally
- Don’t Jump to Assumptions
- Be Integral with Your Word
- Always Do Your Best
Run totally contrary to our natural human nature. We humans, being social creatures, with a very strong desire to please others, to fit in and to be included, and to “shade the truth” a little bit, naturally find ourselves compromising who we truly are, and being the best that we can be.
Of course, all of us are going to “fall short” every single day, but the ideal is to get back on track as quickly as you can, and to keep these four agreements that you make with yourself, at the “forefront of your mind”.
I found it to be truly “liberating” and a great way to live one’s life.
Enjoy, and even if you can only implement one agreement,…. You’ll be a lot further along!
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
