Billy Arcement’s

News From the Swamp

 

Issue # 27 November 2003

Bringing you ideas from The Results Group Office

on Swamp Road

 

In This Issue……….

·        Take a Moment To Count Your Blessings

·        Getting Involved

·        Six Quick Tips To Manage Your Time

·        Thought of the Month

·        Self-motivation––The Only True Motivational Technique

·        Results Box—A Call To Action

·        Checkout Billy

·        Staying In Touch To Grow

·        Another Proud Announcement

·        Children First Moves Forward

·        Value Added Ideas

·        Subscription Info

 

Help us grow.

Recommend this newsletter to your friends and associates.

 

Sorry this issue is a bit late.  I’ve been working on the installation of a 12 foot wide bookcase I built to fit in a 12 foot wide room!!!  (I did have one-half inch to spare)  This is the final touch of my office renovation.  Immersed in the task, I missed my personal deadline for this newsletter.  But, thanks to my friend Sid who reminded me this morning (and made me feel guilty) that I was late and that he missed receiving the newsletter this month, I’m getting it out today!

 

Take A Moment To Count Your Blessings

 

Each November we celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  It’s a family oriented activity to celebrate the blessings that have been bestowed on our respective clans.  We live in the country with the most freedom, the best opportunities to reap success and the highest standard of living of any place on earth.  Don’t let the holiday season go by without raising your awareness of all the gifts life in the United States brings to each of us.

 

Getting Involved

 

            This is not a politically focused newsletter.  But, recent events in this state bear some commentary.  We recently elected a number of local and state-wide officials, including a new Governor.  I will not comment on any candidate but rather comment regarding voters.  With such important positions at stake, it’s deplorable that so few take the time to express their opinion through their vote.  Low voter turnout is an alarming trend yet it remains one of the most sacred rights we have.  In my mind, not voting eliminates your right to complain about our political leaders.  Not voting makes you a silent supporter of what happens after the election.  As part of your thanksgiving list, make having the right to vote among the many blessings you consider critically important to carry out.  Bad political leaders depend upon voter apathy for their survival.  It’s only through your vote that you can voice your opinion of their political activities.  Make a resolution to become more informed on what is happening on the political scene.  Resolve to send your opinion to your elected representatives when there is an important issue at stake.  Become involved in the election process by supporting your candidates.  Don’t become or remain a spectator.  Politics is not a spectator sport.  It is the body of decisions that affects each one of us in a very direct way.  Become involved.  That is the only way to maintain control of your destiny.

           

Six Quick Tips to Manage Your Time

 

  1. When you first put your hand on a piece of paper, act on it.  Complete the action required, file it or trash it. 
  2. Never schedule a meeting without a firm agenda that you rigorously follow.  Never schedule a meeting in the first place unless it is completely necessary. 
  3. You can’t do it all yourself.  Delegate any and all tasks that can be done by others.  Use the time saved for higher value tasks.  Always consider the hourly cost of you doing something versus a person who earns less than you do.
  4. Working hard is not the strategy.  Working smart is the way to go.  Smart workers plan their work and work their plan.  Time spent planning saves time on the back end of a project.  So, plan, plan, plan, plan. 
  5. Don’t overlook the power of voice mail and email.  I’ve found email triggers more responses than voice mail.  Perhaps your data shows things are different.  Use the technique that works best for you.
  6. Write a daily schedule of the most important things you must do each day.  Most experts say that you only need to do or act on six items a day to be very productive.  Avoid urgency.  Think important!

 

Thought of the Month

 

A failure takes on two characteristics––giving up and never starting again.”

Billy Arcement

 

            Too often, we stop short of victory.  Just one more step might take us to the top of the mountain.  Another hour of preparation could be the difference between making or losing a sale.  A defensive back slacks off for just one second and the receiver gets behind him, catches the pass and scores the winning touchdown.

            When we quit, we relinquish our option to start again and achieve victory.  Don’t be among those who short change the opportunities that pass their way because they quit before reaching the finish line.  Persistence pays.  If I had quit after three defeats while seeking public office, I would never have been elected to the school board.  That victory opened a vast number of opportunities that now includes working with board members as part of my client base. 

            Perhaps this prompt will move you to re-visit opportunities you’ve previously passed on.  Remember that it’s never too late to start over but it is impossible to complete anything you’ve quit trying to accomplish.

 

Self-motivation––The Only True Motivation Technique

 

            I could motivate you to do something by offering a reward.  But soon, the reward will lose its appeal and your motivation to act will cease.  I could threaten you and get you to act.  However, you will eventually become strong enough to resist my threats.  But, if I can convince you to do something on your own volition, that action will continue. 

            When we internalize motivation, we affect our belief system thus building our desire and controlling our attitude.  Desire, attitude and belief are the core of what drives our self-motivation vehicle. 

            Want to see that important project through to completion?  Internalize the motivation to get it done.  Build your desire to complete the project.  Approach the project with a strong positive attitude.  Believe you can do it and you will.  Wrap these three items with the persistence of a bulldog and success will come.

 

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.

 

Another Proud Announcement

 

In the last issue, I announced the publication of my book, Searching for Success, in Korea.  While that was exciting, our family recently experienced an even more exciting event––the birth of our 10th grandchild.  John Thomas Allen IV, “Jack” to us, came into this world on November 10 and evened the score at five boys and five girls.  Few events in our life surpass children.  They are our legacy and help perpetuate family.

 

Children First Moves Forward

 

            The first solo issue of my newest newsletter, Children First, had a successful start last month.  As always, you can opt in to receive this newsletter at any time.  If any of you wish to be added to our growing list, email me at barcement@eatel.net and place “children” in the subject line.  The next issue goes out on December 1.

 

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

Copyright © 2003, The Results Group, All Rights Reserved