Billy Arcement, MEd.
Professional Speaker

• The Seeds of Greatness
• Contacting Billy
• Ten Ideas About Leadership
• A Bit About Billy
• Tip of the Month

The Seeds of Greatness

Imagine that life is like a vegetable farm.  On a farm, in order for crops to grow seeds must be planted.  You fully understand that if you want to grow carrots, you plant carrot seeds, not cucumber seeds—a very obvious point.  But, let me carry the illustration a bit further by asking this question:  Why do people intend to plant seeds of success yet end up with crop called failure?  They thought they were planting carrots but they grew cucumbers instead!

How does one assure themselves as they go on their search for success that they’ve sowed the proper seeds?  There are many illustrations I might discuss here but none are more important than the following:

Desire

            The starting point winners take for all achievement is desire.  Failures take a lukewarm position with their desire.  They wish they could be successful but they never really desire to be.  Winners on the other hand coat their dreams with a burning desire nothing can extinguish. 

            To build our desire, we must first decide exactly what it is that we truly want to achieve.  Once identified, we must focus on the idea like a laser beam.  Our commitment must be unwavering.  When we have the desire to truly succeed, no obstacle is too great, no task too hard.

            Do you have such a desire in your life?  Or, have you let the flaky fireman (negative thinkers) put out your flames of desire and extinguish your dreams?  Don’t succumb to flaky fireman.  Fuel your flames of desire with a commitment to never stop until your dream becomes a reality.

Opportunity

            Never underestimate the quantity of opportunities that surround you.  They are there.  But, what we must do is learn to recognize their existence.  When we clearly define our desire, we become better prepared to recognize opportunity as it moves through our life.  We cannot be like the farmer who when asked why he had not planted his crop that year said, “I thought I’d play it safe this year.”

            To grasp the seeds of greatness, one must build desire to a fever pitch and then grasp every opportunity that comes by.  We must spend time looking and studying.  We must be willing to take some risks and subject ourselves to failures.  We must keep our minds open and our focus clear.  Dare to step where the less courageous would venture.  These steps are the difference between being a winner or being a loser of the opportunities life offers.

Imagination

            How often have you told yourself, “I’m just not a creative person!”  The truth is that we are all creative in our own special way.  And, we posses enough creativity to bring us the successes we truly desire.  Sometimes it is just a matter of looking at life with a different point of view.  We must learn to get out of our rut of mediocrity.  It takes courage and imagination to change rut living.

            Walt Disney, when sparked with a new idea, would ask ten people.  If all ten said it was a bad idea, he would immediately begin working on it.  Like Walt, you cannot be discouraged or intimidated by the Nay Sayers of life.  Spend time every day to imagine your future.  See and feel the reality you seek.  Exam every action you take and ask yourself how you might do them differently.  Use your imagination to turn desire and opportunity into success.

Think

            Henry Ford believed that thinking was the hardest work there was. And, he was right.  Thinking is the hardest work we will ever undertake.  That is why so few spend time thinking. 

            Winners spend time each day thinking how they can improve their circumstances.  They continuously examine every facet of their life and strive to make every part a bit better.  One step at the time they move towards their destination, never straying from their desire, never missing obvious opportunities, always tapping their creative powers of imagination and always spending time thinking about the entire process.  And finally remember that it’s not what you are that holds you back; it’s what you think you are not that does. 

Closing Thoughts

            Hopefully you’ve caught on to what I’ve been doing.  Together, the red letters beginning each seed of greatness spell the phrase, DO IT!

            And that leads me to my final seed—ACTION.  Without action, nothing happens.  No seed gets planted.  No crop can grow.  It takes action to develop greatness.  My final question: “What are you waiting for?”

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Contacting Billy

Your organization or association can hear the results-oriented and inspirational messages Billy brings to every audience.  Make him the choice for your next business meeting, in-house training, conference, convention, and workshop or management-consulting project.  Call 225-677-9426, check his website, www.searchingforsuccess.com or email him directly at barcement@eatel.net to learn more about his services.  We’re waiting to hear from you!

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Ten Ideas About Leadership

I recently came across an article developed from a survey of school principals compiled by Education World.  Although the survey was specific to the educational field, these ten traits of leaders fit any work environment.  Here is the list re-written to fit a business environment.

If you are a leader (manager, supervisor) why not ask those you lead to rate you on each point.  Do it anonymously if your workers are concerned (if they are that just might be a problem as well).  If you aspire to a leadership role, why not ask your co-workers and friends to do the same for you.  Be ready to face the results.  Don’t take the results personally.  Just commit to view their answers with an open mind and a willingness to improve.  I believe you will find the results very interesting.

Here are the ten traits:

(1)                          Has developed a vision for the entity they lead and a plan to achieve that vision.

(2)                          Has clearly stated goals and expectations for those under their charge.

(3)                          Is visible—gets out of the office and is seen throughout the department or area that is managed.

(4)                          Is trustworthy.

(5)                          Helps others develop their leadership abilities

(6)                          Develops strong workers and cultivates strong work habits.

(7)                          Involves others.  Does not show that he or she is in charge alone.

(8)                          Has a sense of humor.

(9)                          Is a role model for all.

(10)                      Offers meaningful kindness and kudos to all.

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A Bit About Billy

Billy Arcement is a seasoned presenter.  His 22 years as a member of The National Speakers Association and his many presentations before a wide-range of audiences guarantees you will not be disappointed when you bring him in for your next meeting.  His “Cajun Stories” bring a special brand of humor to your meeting and help drive home the points presented.

Billy Arcement is a seasoned manager and leader.  His 27 years of senior management experiences and lifetime in a variety of leadership roles assures you that you will receive the right information on effective leadership techniques for consulting projects.

Call Toll Free 888-376-7374.

Check his website, www.searchingforsuccess.com

Email him directly at barcement@eatel.net

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Tip of the Month

            If you want to build your career or improve your personal effectiveness, you must become a perpetual learner.  Do not go to bed at night with the same knowledge you had yesterday.  Every day commit to learn something new.  This decision alone will separate you from the masses.  Don’t you think you are the cream and not the milk?

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