We can make agreements with ourselves to improve who we are, how we behave, and the results we achieve.
A special friend gave me a Toltec Wisdom Book, “The Four Agreements” over 2 years ago before I embarked on a journey of self-discovery to California. This book speaks about four codes of conduct to live by. I love these agreements and found that they also apply to our journey with Crossfit. If you can adopt these agreements and pursue them vigorously… you will transform your life.
Be Impeccable With Your Word – Speak with integrity. Say what you mean. Being impeccable with your word is the correct use of energy; it means to use your energy in the direction of truth and love for yourself. If you adopt this…any emotional poison will be cleared from our mind & our communication.
:: With CrossFit we must speak lovingly to ourselves and direct our energy towards purpose and a positive direction. Our thoughts towards ourselves and about ourselves must be positive and loving. We need to give ourselves credit for our effort after each workout. We must not blame ourselves for our letdowns. Never speak badly about yourself, another member, a coach, CrossFit HQ, etc. Your words express your thoughts and your thoughts define you. Make a conscious decision to clear the drama and negative talk from your mind and your spoken word.
Don’t Take Anything Personally – nothing other people do is because of you, it is because of themselves. Whatever you think, whatever you feel, I know it is your problem and not my problem. It is the way you see the world. When we really see other people as they are without taking it personally, we can never be hurt by what they say or do. Remember, nothing other people do is because of you, it is because of themselves.
:: With CrossFit ,we are constantly interacting with others and being compared to others. You cannot deny that there is a large social aspect to this way of fitness. We are constantly being challenged and pushed by others in our community. CrossFitters, we must remember that any negativity from others is a direct reflection of that person.
Although CrossFit brings out the best in people most of the time, it can also bring out some ‘not so great’ emotions and outbursts. Do not let yet yourself become hurt or consumed by other people’s words and actions towards you. Those potentially hurtful or negative words and actions are a direct reflection of that person’s outlook and mindset. They have interpersonal issues that you are not a part of… so you must not take anything personally.
Don’t Make Assumptions - It is very interesting how the human mind works. We have the need to justify everything to explain and understand everything in order to feel safe. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstanding. This agreement can completely transform your life.
:: With CrossFit we must take action and be clear to other members and our coaches about what we want. What we want out of this CrossFit Experience, how we want to be treated and what is on our minds. Do not gossip and make assumptions about things others tell you. Respect other points of view and respect yourself enough to be honest with your feelings. We are all different and we all have different expectations and opinions. Stop expecting others to know what is going on in your head, and do not assume that you know what others are thinking and feeling, ever.
Always Do Your Best – doing your best you are going to live your life intensely, you are going to be productive and you are going to be good to yourself. Doing your best is taking action because you love it not because you’re expecting a reward. We don’t need to know or prove anything. Just to be, to take as risk and enjoy life that is all that matters.
::With Crossfit, doing your best is going to be change from moment to moment. It will be different when you are healthy as opposed to injured or sick. Yet under any circumstance, if you do your best for that moment, you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret. Your best is not what you could do in the past or what you should be able to do. Your best is not what your competitor can do or what you will once be able to do. Your best is what you can do…in that moment, during that workout.
Make a daily commitment that sounds like this…... “I am going to speak lovingly to myself and others, I will not take anything others do personally, I will communicate clearly to avoid assumptions and I will always do my best.”
Keep your attention only on today, in the present moment, and do your best to honor these 4 agreements every time you enter your CrossFit box…and every time you exit it.
Book by: Don Miguel Ruiz Blog by: Dawn Fletcher
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