Billy Arcement’s

News From the Swamp

 

Issue # 30 February 2004

Bringing you ideas from The Results Group Office

on Swamp Road

 

“Working with business leaders to produce a culture of teamwork, productivity and profits.”

 

In This Issue……….

·        Try “Thinking” for a Change

·        Three Lessons on Time Use

·        Searching for Success Goes International Again

·        Billy’s Thought of the Month

·        Results Box—A Call To Action

·        Leadership––The Act of Taking Charge

·        Checkout Billy

·        Staying In Touch To Grow

·        Children First!  Spread the Word

·        Value Added Ideas

·        Subscription Info

 

Help us continue to grow.  We’ve now surpassed 1000 subscribers.  Recommend this newsletter to your friends and associates and help us increase to 2000 subscribers.

 

Try “Thinking” for a Change

            Most of the time we forget the power of our thoughts––potential power barely tapped!  If you want to bring the power of thoughts in prospective realize that everything within your view as you read these words began as a thought in someone’s mind.  Yes, I suspect if we are spiritual we can even say the creation of our earth and universe probably began as a thought in God’s mind.

            Thinking is hard work and more often than not, work we avoid at all costs.  It’s simply easier to just do without much thought of consequences or long term effect.  Then, when we find ourselves at a place in life that is not of our choosing, we scratch our heads and ask how could this have happened?

            One could literally write a book about the subject of thinking and many have.  Let me recommend two that come to mind as I write this piece.  This first is a book I just completed reading, Thinking for a Change by John Maxwell.  The other is an old classic self-help book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.  If you’ve not read either or both, let me not suggest but URGE YOU to buy them.  Slowly absorb the power of the words by Maxwell and Hill.  I guarantee they will change your thinking and your life will no longer be the same.

 

Three Lessons on Time Use

            You’ve probably heard the phrase, time is life.  More specifically, how we use our time becomes our life.  If your life has gaps you’d like to fill with more success, become keenly aware of what you are doing with your time.  You cannot control the flow of time but you do have control over how you make use of each second of living you’ve been granted.  What better results, try doing better things with your time.

            We are all creatures of habit.  It’s easier to be comfortable than ruffled or stressed so we settle in a routine and dare not move out of it.  To significantly improve events of our life; we must move out of our rut of habits and begin to surface a bit of discomfort.  Use your time to create an uncomfortable lifestyle.  Stretch yourself.  Take a few risks.  Dare to dream big.  All are discomforting activities.  But, when we truly understand that success is almost always preceded with huge layers of discomfort, we will not shy away from growing our capacity as human beings.  Then our life creates significance.

            In the first two examples, I suggested a self-focused use of time.  In the last lesson, let me suggest that part of your time use be directed at service to others.  Give your time, talents and financial support to causes dear to your heart.  Giving not only comes before receiving in the dictionary, it also comes before receiving in life. 

 

Searching for Success Goes International Again

 

            Since my last newsletter, I’ve signed with a publisher in Indonesia to distribute my book in that region of the world.  The deal was signed on February 2 and in 12-18 months Searching for Success will be in South Korea, Indonesia and neighboring countries. 

 

           

Billy’s Thought of the Month

 

“Don’t forfeit the potential of today by failing to grow.”

 

            Each moment of life offers the opportunity to increase our knowledge and move up our ladder of success.  Every day you fail to grow is a step backwards.  Commit to only move forward by taking a few moments of your day to learn something new.  Then, look for opportunities in the days ahead to apply what you learned.  It’s a very simple formula that yields an abundant harvest.  To help maintain this discipline, write a “learning period” on your schedule and never fail to follow your own suggestion.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Leadership––The Act of Taking Charge

            I suppose I’ve been a student of leadership all my life.  From as early as my memory serves me, I’ve had a fascination for trying to understand what enables an individual to influence others to action.  What is it that overcomes human inertia and creates action?  Allow me to share some ideas observed about leadership, how to recognize it when it surfaces, and how to detect genuineness.

  1. People follow a person who can articulate a clear, concise vision of the future that offers improvement in their life or in the world.  Hope is the magic motivator.  Offer hope to the hopeless and you will become their leader.  Religious leaders have long understood this idea.  Our task is to be sure the vision can deliver on the promise made.
  2. People follow a person they trust.  Trust builds credibility.  Credibility builds potential followers.  Lose trust and you’ve lost your leadership position.
  3. People follow a person they believe can help solve their problems.  Politicians have mastered this art with their “promises” of a better life for those who support them.  Don’t let someone create a problem and then pretend they can solve it for you.  Filter through all the “fluff” and surface truth.  If genuine concern and sound solutions are present, give them an opportunity to lead.
  4. People follow persons with a passion and belief in their cause.  And, the more persuasive the commentary, the easier it is to build followers.  Look beyond the rhetoric to uncover the value of the passion and belief as well as the value of the person.  Hitler had both passion and belief but clearly was unworthy of leadership.
  5. People follow persons who are real, transparent and consistent in their values.  We deplore a phony.  We are untrusting of those who seem secretive and become confused by individuals who waver on issues.  Although there are exceptions, these types of leaders fortunately don’t normally enjoy great longevity.
  6. People follow persons who willingly and unselfishly serve others.  I’ve certainly discussed the value of servant leadership in the past.  But, those who live by this philosophy get followers.  Our task is to discover the genuineness of their position.  In virtually all such individuals, the one common trait present is a genuine humility regarding their actions.  They don’t seek credit or accolades.  They give from their heart because service to others is one of the ultimate rewards life offers.

 

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 the choice of corporate and education 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 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 people around the world.  His published articles impact the way business leaders think.  Contact us to purchase your personally signed copy of Searching for 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!

 

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.

 

Children First!  Spread the Word

 

            Children First, my newsletter offering parenting tips, is growing nicely.  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 March 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

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