Do you agree?

I recently heard about a book called The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. The core concept of the book is that there are basic “agreements” each of us makes with others — and with ourselves — that can either limit us or empower us.  By making four major agreements with yourself (below), you can overcome hurdles in your personal and professional lives.

• Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

• Don’t Take Anything Personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

• Don’t Make Assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

• Always Do Your Best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

I’m not a big believer in self-help books. In fact, I’ll be very up front and tell you that I haven’t actually read this one (nor am I necessarily recommending it). But in looking at analysis and reviews of the book, it made me think quite a bit about what REALTORS® refer to as “professionalism.” 

There are lots of Rules out there that govern real estate.  You’ve got state and federal statutes and regulations, and of course there’s the Code of Ethics. Don’t forget your broker’s policy manual. And for many, there’s the Golden Rule (with some interesting and very valid twists as well).

Aside from the rules themselves, lots of Associations at all levels (National, State and Local) have been working on developing additional educational and/or awards programming to teach members how to be more “professional” in their actions. But you have to wonder: how much of this thing we call “professionalism” can be taught and tested? How much is adherence to rules, policies and codes, and how much of it is internal? If REALTORS® — AND other real estate professionals, AND real estate clients/customers — went through a transaction being mindful to keep their word, not be insulted by the acts of others, ask questions when things aren’t clear and to work hard as hard as they can, maybe things would pretty much take care of themselves.