Billy Arcement’s
News From the Swamp
Issue
Bringing you ideas from The Results
Group Office
on
“Working with business leaders to produce a culture of
teamwork, productivity and profits.”
In This Issue……….
·
Making the Most of
2004
·
Organizing Your Day
·
Review! Evaluate!
Adjust!
·
Write Your Plan
·
Write A Future View
of Your Life
·
Billy’s Thought of
the Month
·
Results Box—A Call
To Action
·
Checkout Billy
·
Staying In Touch To
Grow
·
Children First! Spread the Word
·
Value Added Ideas
·
Subscription Info
Help us grow. Recommend
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Whether we’re ready or not, 2004 is
rapidly becoming reality. In a few short
days, we will ring in the New Year. Will
it really be a “new year” for you or will it simply be a repeat of the “old
years” that you’ve lived? Challenging
question. But one that demands an honest
answer. As I personally worked on my
answer to the question, I thought I’d share my commitment to myself so that
2004 is not simply a repeat of the past.
This entire ezine will be devoted to my personal business game plan and
how I intend to make 2004 a year of growth and accomplishment. At the end of each section, I’ve issued a
personal challenge to you. I’m looking
for company on this trip! Are you ready to
accept the challenge and travel down the road to change?
I must share a personal challenge. I’m notorious for over scheduling my day. Most of the time, my optimistic approach to life is a great asset. In this situation, it is one of my greatest enemies. As I’ve deeply reflected on my daily work pattern, the obvious became obvious––I constantly move activities from my day forward to other days of the week. Rarely do I accomplish everything I set out to do each day. Yes, I do get a lot done but the constant discouragement of leaving something “undone” has been the albatross around my neck.
How am I going to change? Beginning January 1, I will focus on completing no more than six of the most important (not urgent) things I must do to accomplish my 2004 goals. (Yes, I must have a list of highest priority goals established before I can do this). Each goal will have detailed action steps and each action step will be scheduled on my daily list in order to complete the accomplishment of the goal within the timeframe that will be set for each goal. Here, I must also be very realistic in determining how fast is reasonable and achievable. The intent is to minimize discouragement and build encouragement while not losing site of the destination desired.
The most
important criteria to remember?
DISCIPLINE! It is the key to
accomplishment. By exercising the right
amount of self-discipline to complete the right tasks each day, my success
ratio has to go up. I need the
discipline to do what I must do to accomplish each action step; the discipline
to avoid getting side tracked and move off task. Are you willing to do the same with your daily schedule in
the coming year?
Review! Evaluate! Adjust!
It’s not good enough to act. One must take time to review action taken and assess the results. Yes, we must overcome our own inertia. But all action is not necessarily good action. By scheduling time at the end of each day to review, evaluate and make adjustments to our actions, we sharpen our focus. And, only through laser beam focus will great things happen in your life.
I’m taking
this lesson to heart. I do spend a lot
of time reviewing my actions but at times, I’ve been slow to adjust. No more!
Each day’s review will result in greater efficiency and more intelligent
adjustments. I’ve grown weary of
unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. Are you
discontented enough to make this severe a change in your approach to success?
Write Your Plan
I’ve been
decent about writing my yearly plans.
But, I have resolved to do a better job in the coming year. Having your goals and strategies in writing
has a much greater impact on your brain compared to keeping score in your
mind. Professional Speaker Brian Tracy
advocates that we re-write our goals every day.
Not a bad practice and certainly an activity that greatly reinforces
what we want to accomplish. I’ve
committed to doing what Brian recommends.
Are you
willing to do the same with your goals?
Write a “Future View” of Your Life
Here is an
exercise I began several years ago and it really is effective. The exercise consists of writing a future
story of your life. The time span can be
one year or as long as five years out.
Whatever time frame you select, write the story in the present
tense. Say things like, “I take a two
week vacation each year” rather than, “I’m going to take a two week
vacation.” Describe all the aspects of
your life––family relations, job activities, health status, financial
condition, spiritual commitment, and self improvement practices. This gives you balance. Read your “story” every day. Let the vision sink into your subconscious
mind––the part of your brain that helps you see opportunities to accomplish the
thoughts you send it. It is your
servant. Use it wisely. Write your future vision and read it daily.
“Don’t settle for less than life offers you but be ready to exercise the
discipline needed to improve things in your life.”
To make
2004 your best year ever, decide what you want from life. Place persistence at the top of your list of
daily commitments, never consider failure as an option and resolve to make
self-discipline a positive force.
The New
Year provides a great environment in which to “start over” and define the life
we want to live. No matter what you did
or did not do in 2003, January marks the beginning of a new opportunity. Commit to success by saying “No” to tasks
that move you away from your goals and “Yes” to those that take you closer to
your vision. Clearly define the activities you must
undertake to bring life’s gifts into your life. Commit to making them your action steps in
2004.
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.
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. Billy speaks to education groups, small and corporate businesses, association conferences and most places anyone is interested in hearing his message!
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 management team or executives 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. He is also a seasoned presenter at school board association conventions.
The Author: Billy’s
book, Searching for Success, is
making a difference in the life of those who have read his words. His published articles 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!
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.
Children First! Spread the Word
Children First, my newsletter offering parenting tips, is growing nicely
but could always use a boast. If you
know of an organization or group of parents who might be interested in reading
this newsletter email me at barcement@eatel.net
and place “children” in the subject line.
The next issue goes out January 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
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