The actor explains to PEOPLE why he follows the code of conduct in ‘The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom’

Drew Carey in New York City in September 2022. Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty

If there’s one book Drew Carey swears by, it’s The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom.  

The bestselling self-help book by Mexican writer Don Miguel Ruiz outlines a code of conduct intended to foster happiness and enable personal freedom. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, The Price Is Right host explained why The Four Agreements is currently his “favorite” book and why the four beliefs are posted on his bathroom at home.

“I tell everybody about that book,” he says in this week’s issue, adding, “I look at it everyday. The idea behind the book is that we all have these agreements with ourselves. ‘I’m clumsy. I’m ugly. I’m good at math. I’m bad at math. I’m a good dancer. I’m not a good dancer.’ We all have told ourselves something and agreed with it, and that’s who we are. … The author of the book says, ‘If you just have these four basic agreements, your life will be a lot better.’”

The book’s four aspirational beliefs include: “Be impeccable with your word,” “Do not take anything personally,” “Do not make assumptions” and “Always do your best.”

‘The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom’ by Don Miguel Ruiz.Peter Pauper Press; Book and Access edition

“They’re all way tougher than they sound. Being impeccable with your word is really tough,” Carey admits. “I’m sure there are examples in your life where you said ‘yes’ when you really wanted to say ‘no.’ You didn’t want to hurt their feelings, you felt obligated, but you were not impeccable with your word, because you said ‘yes’ when you wanted to say ‘no,’ and you should have said ‘no.’”

Carey has found another of aspect of Ruiz’s code of conduct challenging, too.

“So is, ‘Don’t take anything personally,’ especially if you’re in show business or if you’re in the creative art,” he continues. “If somebody’s going to read your article or read your short story or book, and they’re going to tell you they think it sucks, you can’t take it personally.”

“That was a big one to get over,” he adds.

Difficult as following The Four Agreements may be, they have played a significant role in helping Carey realize his self-worth. “Doing your best is important,” he adds, “because if you do your best, then you can’t complain.”