News From The Swamp

News From The Swamp By Billy Arcement, MEd. Professional Speaker, Author, Consultant 36570 Swamp Road South, Prairieville, LA 70769 (225) 677-5166 Issue # 7: December 2001 Copyright 2001 by The Results Group All Rights Reserved.

********************************************************************** Articles from this newsletter may be reproduced with permission. **********************************************************************

It’s Reflection Time The year is almost over and the time is near for you to begin reflecting on the major events that have shaped this past year. What worked well for you? What gave you heart palpitations? What did you commit to do but just never got around to doing? Please understand this is not “beat yourself up” time. Rather, it is a time to resolve to improve in the coming year and to identify the best way for you to do so. The common ground is that everyone should resolve to improve from his or her current years’ performance. To grow and reach your potential, you must introduce change into your lifestyle. Nothing will change until you commit to the needed action to bring about change. Nothing will change unless you really want to change. Remember, if you keep on doing things the way you’ve always done them, you will keep on getting the results you’ve always gotten. Formulate detailed, written plans with well designed and thought out action steps and begin to work the plan. Revise as the need arises and continue to strive to move in a forward direction. Always keep your eye on the vision you aspire to achieve. Commit to the commitment needed to reach your potential and the dreams you desire will become reality. Persistence pays and tenacity produces triumphs. There is no other way. ********************************************************************** Please recommend this E-Zine to anyone you know that is interested in improving their effectiveness or who may want to bring Billy in for training or consulting. It's also a good way to stay in touch with your clients. Forward the email as an article of interest to your business associates or customers and if they are interested in receiving this monthly newsletter, have them email to barcement@eatel.net and put “ezine” in the subject line. They will be added to the list. If you would like to bring Billy in to help employees cope with the world events that are going on, he can bring a special message of encouragement and hope based upon his strong knowledge of human relations, service to others, personal self-improvement and coping skills. That just might be the best way to start off the New Year! ********************************************************************** Challenging Ideas for the New Year 1. If you supervise someone, make a list of all the individuals under your supervision. Next to each name, list the primary activity that motivates each individual to do his or her job in an excellent manner. Implement these ideas in their work environment. If you don’t supervise, simply develop a list of your peers and follow the same suggestion. 2. Complete a time study by writing every activity engaged in during your waking hours (work and personal time) for at least one week. Log in 15-minute increments. Analyze for patterns or habits that cost you time. Identify ways to change these patterns and habits to produce a more efficient and productive day in all facets of your life. Remember, you should be working on the vision of your life. Doesn’t that beat working on someone else’s vision? 3. List all activities that have produced conflict in your work and family environment. Now, here is the hard part-how can you change to eliminate such situations in the future? ************************************************************************ A Super Value If you have not yet read Billy’s book, Searching for Success, it makes a great Christmas gift. The book is priced at $15.00. S&H during this Yule Time season will be eliminated. Email now for your book order at barcement@eatel.net or send a check payable to The Results Group, 36570 Swamp Road South, Prairieville, LA 70769. ********************************************************************** If I Had The Power If I had the power, I’d do the following without hesitation. I’m sharing the list in the hope that perhaps together, we might make some a reality this coming year. 1. No child would ever suffer the pains of hunger or endure the emotional distress of physical or sexual abuse. 2. There would never be another terrorist attack on another human being again. 3. Every street in America would be safe to walk on anytime day or night. 4. All students would value their educational opportunities and appreciate the importance knowledge brings to their life. 5. All voters would vote. 6. All cancer would cease to exist. 7. No one would be homeless or live one day without proper nourishment. 8. All nations would forever live in harmony. 9. Children brought into the world would have loving parents who accept the responsibility of parenthood. 10. Every person could enjoy the pleasure of reading. 11. Each week places of worship would be filled to capacity with God-loving people. 12. Government leaders would lead and forget patrician politics. 13. The increased patriotism that surfaced since the 9-11 attack would never go away. 14. Everyone would ground themselves in a spiritual commitment and recognize that they have a spiritual source of help in their times of need. Why not make up your own list and see how many you might achieve in the next year? ******************************************************************** What Program Participants Have To Say “Your words were wise and from the heart and reached each one of our parishioners in a different way. We had many compliments on your presentation, especially the kindness and gentleness your words portrayed. You may never know the lives you have touched this weekend.” Fr. Caesar A. Silva and the Maria Immacolata Church Council “Several of our members commented after the meeting that this was one of the best presentations they had heard since joining our organization. The way you worked into your presentation situations relating to the purchasing function was cleaver and inspirational.” Everett J. Kerth, Jr. CPM, New Orleans chapter of the Purchasing Mgt. Assoc. “Thank you for the outstanding sessions you presented our Quality Council. Your input has made a dramatic difference in the way people work together. We are seeing changes we never thought could occur as the result of your work with us.” Michael Joiner, HR Mgr., Louisiana Special School ******************************************************************** Closing Thoughts I hope you enjoy and find value in the content of this newsletter. It is intended to bring value to your life and stimulate your thinking. If you found particular enjoyment on any point, I’d appreciate hearing about it. Even those of us who make a living encouraging others sometime need good news. Email barcement@eatel.net with your comments. ********************************************************************** If you know anyone who might enjoy receiving this newsletter, please forward it to him or her. Anyone who receives this E-Zine can subscribe to News from the Swamp by sending an email to barcement@eatel.net and put “ezine” in the subject line. If you would prefer to not receive this monthly newsletter, please email barcement@eatel.net and include the word “unsubscribe” in the subject line and your name will immediately be removed from our distribution list. ************************************************************************
When it’s time to choose a speaker for your next important meeting, choose Billy Arcement, MEd. He brings humor, inspiration, warmth and sincerity to the platform. Billy’s syndicated column, The Search for Success, has an annual readership of one-half million+. He is also the author of the book, Searching for Success. Billy is a writer, management consultant, professional speaker and President of The Results Group. He is a respected and popular presenter for business groups throughout the United States. Drawing on his unique experiences as a former elected school board member, teacher and coach, Billy is rapidly becoming the speaker of choice for school board association conferences and school district in-service programs for teachers and support personnel. He writes nationally published articles on enhancing school board member skills, management, customer service, and success principles. As a consultant, Billy can help you develop a focus through his in-depth strategic planning sessions. These are break-through events that can put your organization on the fast track. Billy is truly a speaker who has demonstrated ability to show people and organizations how to turn knowledge into RESULTS! Call 225-677-5166 or 677-9426 to speak to Billy about one of his programs or about his various consulting services.