This article is an excerpt from the Shortform summary of "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. Shortform has the world's best summaries of books you should be reading.
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The first three agreements in Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements—being impeccable with your word, not taking things personally, and not making assumptions—are powerful, but they’re difficult to maintain. Ruiz asserts that the fourth agreement, “Always do your best,” is the glue that allows the others to become deeply ingrained and effective.
Keep reading to see how the first three agreements work only if you do your best, day in and day out.
Originally Published: June 18, 2019
Last Updated: January 1, 2026
What Does It Mean to Do “Your Best”?
It is a simple concept, but first, it’s important to understand that your best isn’t a constant; it will vary. Sometimes you’re fresh and vital; other times you’re tired. Sometimes you’re healthy, and sometimes you’re sick.
The fourth agreement—Always do your best—refers to the best you can do under your current circumstances. In fact, your best can change even from moment to moment. And that’s OK.
The Danger of “Giving 110%”
Your best doesn’t mean trying to do more than you’re capable of in the moment. Doing more than your best actually depletes your personal energy and makes the journey harder. Conversely, doing less than your best leaves you with guilt, shame, and regret.
When you’re giving your best, you’re taking action without expecting a reward. While rewards will come, they aren’t the end goal. You simply enjoy the process of performing at the peak of your ability.
Why “Always Do Your Best” Changes Everything
When you commit to the fourth agreement, you transform your quality of life in three major ways:
- You’re more productive. You gain positive momentum when you put out a good product you take pride in.
- You’re kinder to yourself. You’re less likely to be hard on yourself because you’re proud of your effort, regardless of the outcome.
- You’re happier. It’s easy to be happy when you aren’t heaping blame on yourself for a shoddy effort.
When you can truly say you did your best, you’re set free. There is no room for the “Inner Judge” to find fault. Doing your best isn’t about being perfect; it’s about learning from mistakes, practicing, and looking honestly at your results.
A Note on Inspiration: Ruiz personally defines “doing his best” as a ritual and a way of honoring God. He feels the best way to honor, love, and thank God is by doing your best. (Shortform note: Of course, everyone will have their own inspiration for and definition of doing their best.)
Tips for Applying the Fourth Agreement
To successfully integrate the fourth agreement into your life, consider these strategies for always doing your best:
#1: Let Go of the Past
Don’t judge yourself for past shortcomings or a poor job you did years ago. What’s important is what you do from this point forward. Focus on new opportunities rather than old regrets.
(Shortform note: In The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle recommends using your body as a tool to pull your mind back into the present. When you have negative feelings about the past or anxiety about the future, pay attention to your breathing, close your eyes, relax your body, and take a few deep breaths.)
#2: Master Your “Yes” and “No”
Learn to say “no” when you want and “yes” when you want. By setting these boundaries, you stop yourself from taking on things you don’t want to do, allowing you to spend your time on things that uplift you.
(Shortform note: Gary Keller’s The One Thing notes that it’s human nature to want to be helpful to others, but the more things you say “yes” to, the less successful you’ll be at any of them. He offers tips on saying “no” in ways that are diplomatic and helpful to the other person, such as suggesting someone else who might say “yes” or suggesting another approach that doesn’t require your help.)
#3: Practice Self-Compassion
If you fall short on following the four agreements, keep trying. Keep your attention on today, and stay in the present moment. If you do falter, remember that your best effort is relative to your circumstances.
(Shortform note: In The 5 AM Club, Robin Sharma asserts that success isn’t linear or achieved by nonstop maximum effort. Instead, it’s more like a pendulum, cycling between high-effort periods and cycles of rejuvenation and rest. This aligns with Ruiz’s point that your best effort will vary over time. And, if you do falter in trying to follow the four agreements, experts say that practicing self-compassion is more likely to help you bounce back from mistakes than self-criticism.)
#4: Take Action
Doing your best is ultimately about taking action. Without action, these ideas stay in your head. When you take action, you’re expressing who you really are and living the agreements in the real world.
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