Improving Your Outlook On Self-Improvement

Allow me one moment to get hippie-ish on you.

Being in sales for many years, I've attended many sales & self improvement seminars as well as purchasing many books on the same subjects (most of which, by the way, lose me within the first chapter). While I understand that there is a purpose and need for these seminars and books, I've found that they generally don't work for me. I usually find them to be filled with what I would consider to be common sense ("If you want to make more money, you just need to sell more..."). I've always wanted to write my own books: "How To Use 'How To' Books" and "Improving Your Self-Improvement Reading", and then of course, go on a speaking circuit based on the books.

Don't get me wrong, I have seen some speakers that have made an impact on me or my business (General Colin Powell comes to mind). I do like books by Bob Berg (Endless Referrals) and Keith Ferrazzi (Never Eat Alone); these books I've often lent out to others who have asked me for suggestions.

That being said, I'd like to suggest a book to you. The last four weeks or so have been rather hectic for me, and I find myself on the brink of losing control of both my business and personal life. When I feel this way, I often turn to The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. My younger brother turned me on to this book a few years ago, and I've read it a least twice a year since. This book is also filled with common sense, but a beautiful common sense that I need a reminder of from time to time. The book always helps me stop and rethink the path I'm on, and helps me calm down and find a different perspective. It's simply about four agreements one should make with others but more importantly with ourselves:

1. Always Be Impeccable With Your Word

2. Don't Take Anything Personally

3. Don't Make Assumptions

4. Always Do Your Best

Simple, right? I could expand on these, but I wouldn't do the book justice. Follow the link above and see it for yourself. I've bought a few copies of this book because sometimes I don't get it back when I lend it to someone. When I was managing a design center, I made it mandatory for my department managers to read this book and memorize the four agreements.

So what does this have to do with the Chicago home interiors business? Take a look at those agreements again. If you decide to make those agreements with your clients, associates, employees, family, etc., your business life and your personal life will be rich with true happiness.

I don't know about you, but that's what I'm looking for.

This post by Israel Retana. Israel is the founder of C.H.I.P.s and 2nd generation craftsman at Retana Cabinet Works , where they've been specializing in custom cabinetry and antique furniture restoration for nearly 30 years. He can be followed on twitter (iretana), friended onFaceBook , connected with on Linkedin, or contacted atisrael@retanacabinetworks.com