Billy Arcement’s

News From the Swamp

 

Issue # 26 October 2003

Bringing you ideas from The Results Group Office

on Swamp Road

 

In This Issue……….

·        Today’s Decision Is Tomorrow’s Reality

·        A Key Trait of Outstanding Leaders

·        Some Thoughts Concerning People Skills

·        Thought of the Month

·        Do You Recognize Opportunity?

·        Results Box—A Call To Action

·        Checkout Billy

·        Staying In Touch To Grow

·        A Proud Announcement

·        Children First Moves Forward

·        Value Added Ideas

·        Subscription Info

 

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Today’s Decision Is Tomorrow’s Reality

 

                How many decisions have you made today?  In a typical day, you probably make hundreds.  Most you do with little thought.  However, I want to raise your antenna of awareness a bit and suggest that you pay a little more attention to every decision you make in the next few days.  Become more aware of the long-term implications of your decisions.  For example, we might, on an impulse, buy something.  We tell ourselves, “It’s only $75.” This may not be a lot of money for you.  But repeat this scenario a few more times in a month and pretty soon, it is a lot of money.  Each time you spend money, you choose not to save it.  And, the choice to spend or save your income has a huge impact on whether or not you ultimately have a secure financial future.

Taking the time to think a bit more about our daily decisions develops into a practice that produces a tomorrow greater than our yesterdays. 

 

A Key Trait of Outstanding Leaders

 

            In the last issue, I mentioned some ideas regarding leadership from the book, The Serving Leader.  Recently, I began reading another outstanding leadership book entitled, From Good To Great.  One very interesting commonality of the two books is that the authors both refer to top leaders as possessing and practicing humility. 

            Most people would probably say that strong leaders need to be bold, have a high degree of self-confidence and a tolerance for risk taking––qualities seemingly contradictory to being humble.  However, there really is good synergy here.  Strong leaders must be bold, possess self-confidence and take risks.  But, the overwhelming quality of importance is staying humble amid the successes.  The humility I’m referring to is really a willingness to pass the credit on for success to others and not make you the center of attention.  Leaders who practice the “I” syndrome don’t move their organizations from good to great.  It is the humble leaders who go out of their way to give credit to the team and willingly give credit to others that make the transformation.

            Which type of leader are you?  Are you an “I” leader or a “humble” one?

 

Some Thoughts Concerning People Skills

 

            Knowing how to effectively work with and relate to people is an imperative for anyone wishing to rise to any position of leadership.  While the guidelines for achievement are many, here are five ideas you might be able to start using today:

 

  1. Avoid becoming an antagonist.  Antagonism doesn’t build friends.
  2. Always thank anyone who helps, even in the slightest way.  There is no event so small it does not deserve a sincere round of thanks.
  3. Treat everyone you meet well.  If not, your treatment of them will come back to you.  Remember, most people don’t complain, they just get even.
  4. Build your speaking skills and you will build your people skills.  Words are powerful tools.
  5. Conflict is more likely to be resolved with calmness than with any other method.  Staying calm disarms those who choose conflict with you.

 

Thought of the Month

 

Avoid making yourself a slave to money.  It will destroy your path to greatness.”

                                                                                                Billy Arcement

 

            I will not be so presumptuous as to suggest that money does not play a significant role in our day-to-day activities.  But I urge you to spend a moment truly thinking about the answers to these questions:  Does earning money drive your every thought?  Are you obsessed with the accumulation of money?  Is it difficult for you to give money away expecting nothing in return?  Do you save a portion of every dollar you earn?  If you lost everything tomorrow, could you start over again?  What does “being rich” mean to you?  Add your own questions as you work through this thought process.

            What I’m really doing is urging you to avoid making money your sole quest in life.  Rather, begin to consider money as the reward for your efforts.  Work hard and earn all you can.  Save a portion for a more stable future.  Give at every opportunity––even when it hurts a bit.  But, keep money in prospective.  It cannot replace friendship.  It is not the true source of happiness.  It won’t buy your way into heaven.

 

 

 

 

Do You Recognize Opportunity?

 

            As the saying goes, “Opportunity is all around us.”  Why then do we let so many opportunities slip by?  How can one increase their percentage points of captured opportunities?  One successful method is to clearly define what opportunities you seek.  Sounds simple?  Actually, it is.

            Once we achieve a clear focus of our desired outcome, we immediately open our mind and our eyes to our surroundings at a much heightened level.  To help you better understand my point, try this illustration.  Imagine yourself standing in the neutral ground of a busy highway.  Cars are moving rapidly pass you in a variety of models, colors, shapes and sizes.  Without focus and clarity, we just see cars passing.  But, if we focus on a particular brand, a specific model, color, etc., we greatly increase our ability to find such a car.  With no clarity, it simply becomes cars passing by.

            Open your eyes to an entirely new world of opportunity.  Sharpen your focus and increase the caliber of your results.  This is an exercise worth trying.

 

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

 

The Professional Speaker:  Billy blends thought provoking ideas with his “Cajun Stories” to bring audiences a winning combination guaranteed to make your event a success. 

 

The Management Consultant:  Billy is rapidly becoming the choice of business leaders who seek help with their own management style or who wish to provide coaching for their team on an individual or group basis by phone or on site.

 

The School Board Strategist:  Billy is regarded as one of the premier consultants to work with troubled school boards or to help with strategic planning initiatives.

 

The Author:  Billy’s book, Searching for Success, is making a difference in the life of those who have read his words.  His columns are impacting the way business leaders think. 

 

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!

 

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.

 

A Proud Announcement

 

Last year, my book, Searching for Success, was acquired by a publisher in South Korea.  Since the last issue of my newsletter, I received copies of my book printed in Korean.  It’s strange to see the words you wrote in a language you cannot read.  One can only hope the meaning is the same.  I’m hopeful my words will help citizens of South Korea and perhaps make a small difference in that part of the world.

Nonetheless, it’s a proud moment and hopefully the beginning of a trend that will replicate itself in other parts of the world in the coming years.

If you’d like a copy (English Version Only), send a remittance for $15, ask us to invoice you or request three monthly installments….we don’t care.  Our only interest is to get the book in your hands so you can begin to profit from the messages contained between the covers. 

 

Children First Moves Forward

 

            This month marks the first issue of my newest newsletter, Children First, going to a separate recipient list.  My thanks to those of you who opted to subscribe last month.  If any of you wish to be added to this list as well, email me at barcement@eatel.net and place “children” in the subject line.

 

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.  Before you do, please 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 or Toll free (888) 376-7374

barcement@eatel.net

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