The Book In Use

A school district in Texas used Searching for Success as part of their training for the district administrators. Listed below are actual letters received from three administrators.

In August our superintendent, Leroy DeHaven, handed each administrator a copy of your book, Searching For Success. As we opened it, we found that you had personalized each greeting. We checked your work to see if you had written the same thing in each book and we chuckled when we found out that you were indeed an unusual person since every message was different. THANKS!

The superintendent asked us to read the entire book and then to volunteer to present a chapter one at a time at our bi-monthly administrative staff meetings. Within a week, I called him and signed up to present Part VI, Develop A Daily Structure. My chapter review occurred on November 5, 1997. As I prepared, I knew that I needed to grab their attention and also out-perform the principal who presented the previous time. (She sang the main ideas.)

As I pondered what I would do to entertain and to motivate, I involved two of my best teachers one day after school for a private rehearsal. Imagine! They told me I needed to revise my planning. They also volunteered to attend in order to see what I did. I left school in deep reflection. That night at home, I had a brainstorm. I collected one or two objects to represent each key point.

When the anticipated day began, I handed each administrator a yellow happy face card. I asked them to answer this question on the back: “What puts you in a good mood in the morning?” Then I began with my props, told a related story, and involved one of the administrators in a joke. The only concept that presented a problem was your idea about rising two hours earlier in the morning in order to get all the meditating, reflecting, and praying accomplished. But I think they got the message through humor. If you can do at least one good thing in the morning to set your course for a more positive day, you may find success.

The two teachers enjoyed the presentation and asked me to present it to our faculty and staff. When we returned from the Christmas holidays, I presented the chapter to them. The concepts and the humor set a positive tone to our new semester ahead.

Thank you for writing Searching For Success. Now that the book has been completely reviewed, however, we face new problems to solve. (This is normal in education.) Perhaps this glimpse to taking better control of our lives and our futures will enable us to better lead the people we influence daily as we seek success.

Janice Sykora, Principal
Flour Bluff Elementary
************************************************

Billy Arcement’s book, Searching For Success, has caused me to reconsider my understanding of success. I no longer judge success only in terms of material assets held. I now evaluate success in terms of personal growth.

His book reminded me to focus on basic values to judge my level of success, and his “Action Steps to Success” section at the end of each part of his book provided me with some tools to evaluate my progress toward success. I would highly recommend Searching For Success not only to those individuals who are looking to succeed, but also to those who think they have found success.

Eddie Gowers, Principal
Flour Bluff Early Childhood Center
************************************************

The reader is challenged by Billy Arcement from beginning to end to take the journey toward self-discovery and success. By awakening our inner abilities and potential to make positive life changes, we can effectively reach our destination—personal success. Once we obtain success within ourselves, we eliminate the barriers of self-doubt and self-blame holding back our dreams, hopes and aspirations. By completing Arcement’s Action Steps for Success at the end of each chapter, the reader can begin to build a strong foundation for success.

My favorite chapter talked about Success Challenges. This chapter reminded me of the necessity to grow in the process of becoming all that I can be. I was caught in the chains of content to be rather than in the challenge of becoming. Once I confronted my contentment, I began to take Arcement’s dare to success to a higher level. Instead of just reading the pages, I put action into the Action Steps to Success and started making significant changes in my outlook, attitude, and actions.

As a principal of a discipline alternative campus, I first shared passages, stories, quotes and anecdotes from Arcement’s Searching For Success with my staff as a means of encouragement and morale builder. To my surprise, the sharing didn’t stop there—I found myself consistently using this book when working with troubled students and discouraged parents. This book served as a reminder to all educators to find success in our own purpose for life before we attempt to effectively facilitate success in the lives of our students and staff.

As our administrative group took turns presenting these chapters, these principals would present the principles for success and often relate the experiences to their individual campuses. Obviously, not only were we growing both personally and professionally, but our students and staff also became the recipient of this search for success. Our principal’s meetings served as natural morale boosters. This is a good example how enthusiasm and excitement at the central office can filter down to the classroom.

Because this book is so user friendly, I found myself tumbling through the pages during the day for a much needed quick swift surge of success! Thanks, Bill Arcement, for encouraging me on my personal journey toward positive change.

Thanks.
Nancy T. Horton, Principal