TICK TICK TICK TICK - BOOM!

SPORTS HEADLINE-NFL PRE-SEASON FAVORITES DALLAS COWBOYS FACING CRISIS
Media outlets across the nation had crowned the Dallas Cowboys the best team in football before the season began. Coming off of a 13-3 season in 2007, returning 13 Pro Bowlers and having a collection of stars, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that they would run away with the NFC title and waltz into the Super Bowl.

A funny thing happened on the way to destiny. After a quick 3-0 start, the Cowboys have lost 3 of their last 4 games, had their often outspoken WR Terrell Owens complain about not getting the ball enough following a game where he was targeted 19 times, lost their Pro Bowl safety for the season and lost their starting QB for at least 3 weeks. They are now at a crossroads for their season with a difficult month ahead of them and on the verge of implosion.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
I remember my mother often repeating a chorus of a 1967 Temptations hit, 'Beauty's Only Skin Deep'. Just as great as things look on the surface, they may be just masking the turmoil that brews beneath. Being cautious amidst boundless optimism is a good trait to exhibit. It's often the things that look and seem too perfect and too polished that have the most tumult and tarnish. Look beyond the superficial and truly examine character in order to position yourself in the best company.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
One of the major issues facing the Cowboys is the lack of 'one voice'. The owner/general manager is the highly visible Jerry Jones. The head coach is the ultimate nice guy Wade Phillips (pictured). The presumed head coach in waiting is offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, recipient of a new $3 million a year contract, making him the NFL's highest paid assistant coach. In business, during times of struggle, employees are looking for that one voice to galvanize the troops, be a shining beacon of hope and direction. When the message is muddled or diluted by too many voices, chaos ensues.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
Can you count up the number of your friends who got rich buying "A new system where you can make millions from your own home"? Where's your yacht, your 3 new sports cars, your 18 bedroom house? While there are some people who have gotten legitimately rich from systems on investing, real estate, day trading and other fads that have come and gone, for the most part when the product or system reaches the masses-the real money has already been made! It's very rare that a new process, product or system is simple and effective enough that just anyone can master it's techniques and strike it rich. Rather than chasing the gold every time it glimmers, use a systematic approach of diversified saving and investing wisely to build your fortune.

GAME PLAN-
All that glitters is not gold. It's a cliche but rings very true. For every time a team came from out of nowhere to become the Cinderella story, there are just as many teams that were billed as invincible and unstoppable but were fatally flawed. Get past the shiny exterior and really examine the nuts and bolts of anything you spend your valuable time or money on to be sure that it is worthy of you.

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

SPORTS HEADLINE-RAYS & PHILLIES SET TO FACE OFF IN 2008 WORLD SERIES
With the elimination of the defending champion Boston Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS, the Tampa Rays clinched their first ever World Series appearance where they will face the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are making their first World Series appearance since 1993 and seeking their first win since 1980. Regardless of which team wins, a large segment of their fan base will be experiencing championship glory for the first time.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
There is just something refreshing about experiencing new things. New places to travel, new foods to experiment with, new sights and sounds to tantalize the senses. We tend to fall into and languish in comfortable routines, expecting the expected and not challenging ourselves to seek adventures outside our comfort zone. But that's where life truly is exciting, when you do things that are beyond what you'd normally do or what you're customarily comfortable doing. By expanding your horizons and putting yourself in positions to experience all that is out there, your life will be enriched in ways that are unimaginable.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Do you remember dos based computers? How about mobile phones the size of a house phone? Maybe you recall facsimile machines (before they were called just 'fax') with the roll of shiny paper? These were all inventions that were hailed as revolutionary at the time they burst onto the scene. Businesses that were early to adopt these new technologies stayed ahead of their competitors and were on the cutting edge of their industries. But the times quickly caught up and now all of those technologies have been replaced with faster, more efficient and more effective models. Staying current is a good way to get behind in the business world. You have to anticipate, stay ahead of the trends and be a leader in your industry to remain victorious in your field.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
If you have paid ANY attention to the news the past 3 weeks you're aware of what's been going on with Wall Street and the banking industry. What that tells me is that we all should be thinking of new places to save and invest. One of the best areas to have a savings account is an online savings bank. These banks usually have higher interest yields on savings, money markets and Cd's (certificates of deposit) than traditional brick and mortar banks. Having an open mind to new ideas is a good way to ensure you are able to stay ahead of the game.

GAME PLAN-
There's nothing wrong with something being 'old reliable'. The reason it's called that is because you know what to expect, you know what it will be and won't be and you can count on it. While not taking anything away from reliability, it's also vital for you to keep your spirit open to experiencing new things. There are wonderful sights, sounds, smells, tastes and adventures that we all bypass every day without giving them another thought or consideration. Embrace things that before you would shy away from or not even give a second thought. The rewards are bountiful.