Billy Arcement’s
News From the Swamp
Issue # 36
Bringing you ideas from The Results
Group Office
on
“Working with business leaders to produce a culture of
teamwork, productivity and profits.”
Please recommend this newsletter to a friend or associate.
I am very passionate about the power of books. For me, the written word is a great stimulator of thought and action.
In this issue I want to talk about methods to lead yourself to greater success––personal and career wise. From my view, an excellent method to start the process is through reading books. You should purchase your book and read it with a pen and highlighter in hand. As you read a passage that reaches out to you, highlight it. If an idea is generated by the written word, jot it down in the margin. If words prompt you to take action, make a note so you won’t forget about it. Using this technique slows you down a bit but in the process creates a living document for improving yourself. I’ve been doing this for thirty years with great results. This method also allows you to quickly review the book in the future. Your eyes will catch the highlighted areas and reinforce key points that were important the first time you read the book.
Interested in developing personal leadership? Try books.
Since I was a youngster (a long, long time ago), I’ve been an admirer of Earl Nightingale (I still am). One of the highlights of my life was having the opportunity to sit down a talk to Nightingale. The power of his words is remarkable. He was a master of transferring thoughts and ideas to others via the spoken word.
One idea
Nightingale shared was how to become a national expert in a subject area. He suggested that one read an hour daily for
a period of five years. From the daily
readings, make notes and review them periodically.
What would
you like to know more about? In what
area would you like to be perceived as an expert? Nightingale has provided the formula. Now, are you willing to lead yourself to this
pinnacle of achievement?
I’ve often shared this thought with audience members in my seminars. “Better to have no friends at all than just one the wrong kind of friend.” I don’t remember the first time I read that statement but it has resonated in my mind ever since.
The people with whom you “hang out” are an influence on your behavior. As a society, we are a “follow the crowd” type of people. Few take on the role of real leadership of self or others.
Not satisfied where your life has lead you? Look around for the people who have made the trip with you. Are they self-starters? Do they complain about how tough life is? Why do you enjoy their company? Or do you? Perhaps being around some people is just a matter of habit. You get no real value from the relationship but it continues simply because you’ve done it for so long.
Please understand that I’m not advocating you dump your friends. What I’m suggesting is that you examine the true value they bring to your life. One of the traits of people who successfully lead themselves is that they hang out with the right kind of people. They are around people who stimulate their thinking; people who help them grow in some aspect of their life. Their friends are givers, not takers. They contribute to life in a positive way.
If you are truly serious about improving yourself, the first thing to check out is the company you keep. It is impossible to outgrow the limits you place on yourself unless you upgrade those limits. Friends can help you move up or they can drag you down. What’s happening in your life with your friends?
It Starts With Attitude
Without doubt, one of the major factors that contribute to your personal and career successes is the attitude with which you approach both. I talked about friends in the previous section, now let’s talk about you.
How’s your attitude? Are you the kind of person who lights up a room––when you leave! Positive thinking is a mental boast. Negative thoughts drain energy from your soul and cloud your vision. Positive thinking opens your eyes to the endless possibilities life offers. Negative thoughts make the possible seem impossible.
We have personal responsibility for every attitude we possess. No one makes us have a good or bad attitude except ourselves. We are in charge.
Where has your life taken you today? Are you happy with the progress you’re making with your career? Is your family life as good as you’d like it to be? Do you enjoy getting up in the morning? Are you excited about your life? The right answer for all those questions is directly related to the attitude with which you face each one. Isn’t it time for an attitude check? Is it time to pick up your leadership of you?
Ten Tips To Tickle Your Thoughts
To effectively lead yourself to great successes, try these ideas:
1. Decide exactly what you want from life. (most never take the time to do this)
2. Clarify your values and make your life actions consistent with them.
3. Write the goals you want to accomplish and take action on them.
4. Determine what you do well. Build on that foundation.
5. Collaborate with like-minded people. Two are more powerful than one.
6. Keep an open mind towards change.
7. Remove habits from your life that are holding you back.
8. Make other people feel important.
9. Prepare yourself for opportunity.
10. Remember
that if it is to be, it is up to me.
“The most important person in the world that
you can lead is yourself.
Where are you taking you?”
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. Experience
the wit and wisdom of Billy’s messages at your next meeting.
Executive Coaching / Management Consulting: 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. Use Billy’s problem-solving skills and vast
experience base to improve your leadership and management skills.
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 b
Call
Thanks to those of
you who requested a copy of my reading list.
I thought it would be nice to extend the offer again this month to those
who might have missed this offer last month or simply forgotten to contact
me. Email me with “
Please notify
Children First! Spread the Word
Children First, my newsletter offering parenting tips, continues to grow
very 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 September 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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