News From the Swamp

 

Issue # 24 August 2003

Bringing you ideas from The Results Group Office

on Swamp Road

 

In This Issue……….

·        Who Am I?

·        It’s All About Children

·        Daily Reflections

·        Thought of the Month—The Magic Motivator

·        Results Box—A Call To Action

·        Checkout Billy

·        Build Your Success Library

·        This Is Just the Way I Am

·        Words From the Audience

·        Staying In Touch To Grow

·        Subscription Info

 

Help us grow:  Recommend this newsletter to your friends and associates.

 

Who Am I?

            Have you ever said: “I wish I knew what I want to be when I grow up?”  Chances are most of you have asked yourself this question.  The real question however is, “Have you accurately provided an answer?”

            Someone once said, “I am three persons:  the person I think I am, the person you think I am and the person I really am.”  Truly understanding who we are and where this journey of life is taking us is a continuous learning process.  As we began our journey, an evolution started.  New insights were gathered, thoughts broadened, our vision became more ambitions and we found out that life offers an abundance of opportunities.  What also happens is that we begin to move towards a completely different destination than we had originally planned.  Ending the journey where we thought we wanted to go and where we ultimately land can be two extremely different places.  And, that is not all bad.

            Many of the most significant events in our history occurred because someone took a different path than originally designed.  Sometimes our real purpose surfaces late in life.  Others make major impacts almost from birth.  There is not set timeframe nor is there a set plan.  The only common denominator is that we constantly seek to contribute as much as we can to our world using the abundance of gifts with which we are all endowed.  For some, much is expected.  Others need only do within the limits of their abilities.  There is no measuring stick that is relevant. 

            Who am I is a question that can take a lifetime to answer.  If your question is still not answered, why not try this exercise that was asked of the early Astronauts?  Take a piece of paper and answer the question “Who Am I” twenty times.  By the time you get to # 20, you will achieve more clarity of focus, purpose and destination than you’ve ever experienced.  If it worked for Astronaut selection, perhaps it will work for you as well.

            The final question to answer: “Are you willing to become the person you really are?”

 

It’s All About Children

 

With the recent shift in my business strategy to begin working with educational leaders to keep children first, a wide-range of business opportunities have surfaced.  That is what happens when you bring focus to your direction and purpose in life.  Sometimes the obvious is not so obvious.  Such was the case with me.  Now, with greater business clarity then I’ve had in a number of years, I am seeing opportunities in the horizon that prior to this time have escaped my view. 

As you strive to answer the question posed in the previous article, the same thing will happen to you.  I promise you a new excitement you’ve not experienced in many years and a renewal of spirit that will provide a much stronger level of energy and focus.  Who could possibly resist such an offer?

 

Daily Reflections

 

In the July issue, I discussed the idea of daily reflections.  I hope some of you tried the suggestions and then molded the process to your needs.  (If not, why not go back and re-read that article)  This month, I want to again encourage you to adopt some form of daily reflection.  This practice will shore up your efforts to bring more success and satisfaction to your life.  As a former Quality Manager, I strongly believe that you must have data to make an intelligent decision.  Daily reflections are the best source of data I know.  Tap into this gold mine of information.  It’s a small investment that pays very high dividends. 

 

Thought of the Month—The Magic Motivator

 

            The magic motivator of life is a four-letter word.  No, I’m not about to begin to write profanity.  But eliminating this four-letter word from your daily habits is a profane act.  What is this magic motivator, this four-letter non-profanity?  It’s HOPE!  

When our life takes on hope, there is a reason to rise in the morning.  When it shifts to hopelessness, we want to stay in bed.  When hope is present, there is excitement in our life.  Without hope, life becomes boring.  Hope creates possibility.  Hopelessness offers only impossibility.  With hope, we are never willing to give up no matter the obstacle.  Hopelessness makes quitting easy.

            As you study what brings meaning to life, you will find “hope” sprinkled throughout.  We can choose to maintain hope or we can simply give up and adopt a hopelessness attitude.  Make the habit of hope an integral part of your thinking.  There is always the choice and opportunity to change a hopeless situation into one of hope. 

            When you answer the question, “Who Am I?” you begin to build hope.  As you reflect each day on your accomplishments, you build hope.  As you think, build hope.  Be a hope builder and the magic of motivation will work for you.

 

 

 

Results Box—A Call To Action

 

Is there any specific management or self-development question you’d like to see addressed in future newsletters?  Forward your question to barcement@eatel.net and look for your answer in a future issue.

 

Checkout Billy

 

Billy Arcement blends thought provoking ideas with his “Cajun Stories” to bring his audiences a winning combination that is guaranteed to make your event a success.  Call us.  We’d love to help!  Go to http://www.searchingforsuccess.com to learn more about Billy’s programs and services.  Our results are guaranteed!

 

Build Your Success Library

 

Could you use a little more success in your life?  Order my book, Searching for Success.  Apply the principles discussed and watch what happens.  I guarantee you will sense the improvement or I’ll refund your payment!  Contact us and we’ll ship the book to you the same day.  Email or phone in your order and we’ll bill you.  We’re trusting people!

 

This is Just the Way I Am

 

            “We need to be confronted by our actions, messages, and shortcomings if we expect to learn and grow.  No more hiding behind excuses.  No blaming others.  No hiding behind phrases like—this is just the way I am.”  E. James Wilder

            All of us are challenged to become better and stronger each day.  To do this, we must be willing to change tomorrow from the person we are today.  Relying on the crutch, “This is just the way I am,” is not a valid reason to keep ourselves bound to mediocrity.  Why not shift the focus to “This is the person I’m going to become.”

 

Words From the Audience

           

A few days ago, I spoke to members of the faculty and staff of Clayton College near Atlanta.  What a great group!  My stay was pleasant, I made new friends, and another positive notch was added to my memory belt.  Thanks again to everyone for being such a great audience.  Here are a few of the many kind remakes received.  Sorry we do not have room for all of them.

 

“Your gentle voice was something and made me feel the sincerity in your words.”

                                                                                                                                Judy Gifford

“I’m not big on words but I’m big on gratitude.  Thanks Billy.  I really needed you today.”

Zachary Dockery

“Fantastic!  I could tell you spoke from the heart and it really touched mine.  Thanks.”

                                                                                                                                Donna Miller

“It was a wonderful presentation!  You were very entertaining and very thought provoking!                                                                                                                          Rhonda Boozer

“An outstanding tribute to the power of positive thinking and to the sense of self we are all capable of having.”                                                                                                                           Dolores Cox

“This was a dynamic presentation that I can relate to and implement into my life.  I will use it.”                                                                                                                                                          Kimberly Olson

“This was an excellent program.  It has been helpful in both my personal and professional life.                                                                                                                                                          Amy Poole

“Today’s seminar presents one solid message and that message is that there is hope.”

                                                                                                                                 Robert Lee

 

Staying In Touch To Grow

 

Please notify us if your email address changes.  Send your new address to barcement@eatel.net and we’ll update our distribution list.  If you enjoyed what you’ve read, please forward this newsletter to a friend who might get a pointer or two from these messages.  Send us their email address, to add them to our distribution list.

 

Value Added Ideas

 

You may reprint content from this newsletter or from past issues.  We’re also happy to provide you with articles from our archive of previously published articles to add value to your publications.  Send an email request to barcement@eatel.net and specify your needs.

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The Results Group

36570 Swamp Road South

Prairieville, LA 70769

(225) 677-9426

Toll free (888) 376-7374

barcement@eatel.net

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