HAVING SOMETHING TO SAY BUT NOBODY IS LISTENING

SPORTS HEADLINE-Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens expressed frustration with his team's offense in an interview airing on NFL Network. Among the things Owens complained about were the predictability of the offense in recent weeks, the inability of his QB to get the ball to him and in inflexibility of the team's offensive scheme to adjust to what defenses are doing. Heavily favored in the pre-season, the Cowboys are 6-4 and have lost 3 of their last 5 games.


PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-The ironic thing is that Owens is probably right. The statistics back up his claims that when he is a larger part of the offense the team does win a larger percentage of their games. Here's the problem though. Owens has a long history of complaining in the press, putting his desires over the overall goals of the team and generally being a pain. It's a classic example of picking your battles. When things aren't going the way you envision them or how you see they can be better, is it always the best tactic to speak out at the top of your lungs? Sometimes you're much better served in the long term by buckling down to do all that you can and give a little extra to those around you to try to improve the situation. You'd rather be the occasional voice of concern than the constant source of negativity.

Dolezar (MLB.com) Interview Part II

Part II of my interview with MLB.com Editorial Producer Jon Dolezar..

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3. Jon, we used to work together at CNN Sports/CNNSI, what lessons were you able to draw from that experience to apply professionally as you developed your career?

Considering that it was my first job out of college -- and, in fact, you hired me as a post-graduate intern at CNN Sports for the Summer of 1996 while you were running the intern program -- I guess a great deal of what I continue to practice to this day in my professional life was shaped both during my time as an intern and then as a full-time employee there, too. That was the summer of the Atlanta Olympics, so there was obviously a great deal going on around town. It was thrilling to be a part of the launch of CNN/SI in December 1996, and to see how much hard work goes into getting a fledgling network off the ground. Unfortunately for us, it was never able to gain much traction and couldn't slay the ESPN giant.

But working at CNN was an amazing experience that taught me so much. Journalism is a pretty cutthroat and intense business, and I learned that focus and discipline are required to last in this business. I also learned from a lot of negative things that I try to avoid now that I'm in the position of helping out younger folks who are just starting in this business. The negativity, backstabbing and just general lack of respect that some people have can really turn folks off to a career, and they aren't going to want to go to war for you if that's the case. So I guess I took both positive and negative examples that I continue to carry with me to this day.

Mostly, though, I fondly recall the many enjoyable people that I met and got to work with there, and how much fun we had on a nightly basis. That taught me that an enjoyable attitude in the workplace goes a long way, and the close relationships that you form with your co-workers can get you through tough times (of which there were many at an upstart cable sports network that ultimately only lasted six years).

4. Talk about the role you think organized sports plays in developing winning characteristics in young adults and into their adulthood.

This is a particularly timely subject for me since my two boys are now both getting involved in youth sports. I've helped coach their teams in both baseball and soccer, and few things that are more rewarding and enjoyable to me than to share my love of sports with youngsters. I love the friendships that form through sports among the kids, the confidence-building that takes place, obviously the physical conditioning element of it, but the most important part for me is just getting to spend quality time with my kids. So many of my best memories from my childhood revolve around moments in sports that I got to share with my parents, and the chance to be there to build similar moments with my two boys is so valuable and moving to me.

As with most kids, I played sports throughout my adolescence and high school years, and those memories and experiences continue to shape me to this day. I still vividly recall sayings that my high school football coach used to use regularly, and I try to apply them to my everyday life. Sports is definitely a metaphor for life, but I've always been surprised by how easily I can apply those lessons of teamwork and leadership that I learned in middle school and high school to my current life working as a journalist.

GOING OUT ON TOP

SPORTS HEADLINE-Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina decided to retire after an 18 year career spent with the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees. Mussina had one of his finest years in 2008, winning 20 games for the first time in his career. Mussina retired with a career record of 270-153.

PERSONAL FINANCES-This is a great lesson that many of us learn too late. We've all had a stock, CD, bond or real estate investment that we held on to just a little too long. It's impossible to know when an asset is at it's peak but even when we've gained immense return on our investment we often times want just a little more. We get greedy when we've already gotten more than we had initially hoped for. Be smart and get out while the getting is good when it comes to your money. You'll always be a winner when you opt to get out ahead of the game.

Format Update-Jon Dolezar (MLB.com) Interview Part I

Thank you to the loyal followers of my Daily Game Plan For Victory Blog. In keeping up with efforts to provide fresher and different content I am adding a couple of features. I will be resuming the traditional format once a week starting next week and also adding 2 new features. I will do more 'mini blogs' that will focus on just one aspect (personal, professional, financial) that reflect daily events and also posting interviews with members of the sports world.

Today I have an interview from Jon Dolezar, an editorial producer for The Official Website of Major League Baseball, MLB.com. Jon is a former colleague of mine and has lived and worked in the sports media for more than 10 years with previous stops at CNN Sports, CNNSI and SI.com. Please enjoy part one of my two part interview with Jon.

1. When/how did you develop your passion for sports?

I've been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. I would say that my passion was developed at the first pro sporting event I ever attended -- a Milwaukee Bucks game against the New Orleans Jazz (dating myself, clearly, with that mere fact) on March 14, 1979, which the Bucks won 158-102, their highest-scoring regulation game ever and largest margin of victory ever. My father likes to recall that I spent most of the game asking (I was 4 1/2) "What's the score now, Daddy?" Just his luck that it would be the highest-scoring Bucks game ever! Seeing the speed, grace and fluidity of an NBA game (words that were applicable to the late-1970s NBA that surely wouldn't be used to describe today's version of pro basketball) just captivated me so much, and I pretty much worshipped all things Bucks during most of the 1980s, as they were on their run on nine straight Central Division titles.

Even before I had attended a game, though, I enjoyed listening to them on the radio. In fact, when my parents asked me when I was 3 years old what i wanted to be when I grew up, I replied: "Jim Irwin." Mr. Irwin was the play-by-play announcer for the Packers and Bucks games on WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee, and even by age 3, I was already obsessed with sports. Most 3-year-olds played with blocks and balls, I listened to sporting events on the radio. So from as early as I can remember, I've followed sports and wanted to be somehow involved in it. That led to me majoring in journalism in college and working toward becoming a journalist, which was the best way that I could stay involved in the game given my inability to hit a curveball, knock down an open 3-pointer from the wing, outrun a linebacker or skate with a speedy goal-scoring forward.

Additionally, growing up in Wisconsin in the late 1970s and early '80s, I saw some pretty awful football, but witnessing the dedication of Packers fans -- even through those terrible David Whitehurst/Lynn Dickey years -- made me realize that the passion and the camaraderie of sports were almost as important as the outcome itself. Note I said almost, since once your team starts to get decent, your mind-set changes a bit. It turned out to be a heck of a lot more fun when the Packers got decent in the late '80s and early '90s, but at the time, we didn't know any better back when they stunk every year, so we still cheered our hearts out for those terrible Packers teams anyways!

2. Is there something or someone from pro or college that you draw inspiration from on a regular basis?

I draw inspiration from any athlete who is passionate about what they do and goes about their business in the right way. Having covered sports for 14 years now dating back to my college newspaper days, you begin to get a bit jaded about the games/results after awhile, and the stories and the personalities begin to shine through. So I'd much rather watch a great Tom Rinaldi piece (shoutout to a former CNN/SI co-worker of ours) on some no-name athlete with a great backstory than to watch a puff piece about a famous athlete that most sports fans already know plenty about.

ESPN ran a piece the other day (http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3696478&categoryId=3060647) on D.J. Gregory, a man who has cerebral palsy and had a dream to walk every hole of every PGA golf tournament this season. Stories like that are the essence of sports to me, as great or likely even greater than watching what Tiger Woods did on Sunday at the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines this past June. You can clearly draw inspiration from watching an amazing once-in-a-generation athlete like Tiger perform his craft at the highest level, but seeing someone like D.J. Gregory achieve a dream of his own and overcome some serious physical limitations is a much more inspirational story to me.

I still love to watch the games, obviously, but as I get older (and now that I have two boys of my own), the backstories of athletes intrigue me much more, both from a personal or a professional standpoint. I guess I'm getting soft in my old age.

(Part II to be continued on Friday)

TRADING PLACES

SPORTS HEADLINE-ALLEN IVERSON SET TO DEBUT FOR PISTONS
Veteran guard Allen Iverson returns to the Eastern Conference Friday night when he takes the court for his new team, the Detroit Pistons after being traded there earlier in the week. Iverson, the 2000-01 MVP and four time NBA scoring champion, was traded to the Pistons in an attempt by team president Joe Dumars to shake up the core of a team that has faltered in the Eastern Conference Finals the past 3 seasons.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Ever been in a rut? You just feel like you are going through the motions, not really making any headway in any area of your life. You do the routine, see the same things, hear the same songs, eat the same foods and just feel blah. You need to create change for change's sake. Doing simple things like taking a different route to a familiar destination. Commit to trying one new place to eat or type of food each week or month. Take a class for a hobby you wouldn't ordinarily consider. Making these sublte changes will give you a boost of energy that will carry over into other aspects of your days.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Some businesses think they have it all figured out. They have created the best process, the best product or the best service and they are going to corner the market. Most of those businesses fall well shy of the success they beleive they can acheive. It's been said that the best idea is a borrowed one. There are endless opportunities in business to develop partnerships or strategic alliances and trade concepts, information, strategies or experiences in order to create wins on multiple fronts. What you consider to be common knowledge and of little value can be of great value to someone who has yet to come to the same realization as you and vice versa. Keep an open mind to sharing and experience victory on many levels.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
There are few things that are more exciting than seeing your money make money. In the 1990's, individuals got rich, then poor, then rich again by day trading stocks. Day traders would spend their days buying and selling stocks, researching opportunities to make a quick strike and hoping to avoid a catastrophic loss. The era faded a bit with tougher economic times but the core concept is solid. Merely investing in a stock and letting it sit there is one strategy to employ, but in order to maximize your money work closely with your broker and/or fiancial advisor to deftly buy low and sell high and come out on the winning end of your trades.

GAME PLAN-
Life is full of chances to change things around. There are times that just making a change for the sake of change is appropriate but as a rule you always want to make a change for positive results. Look at where you are, where you want to be and what's it going to take to get you there. Implementing the right changes may be what it takes to lead you to victory!

YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN

SPORTS HEADLINE-LEFTWICH RALLIES STEELERS TO VICTORY OVER CHILDHOOD FAVORITE TEAM
Late in the 2nd quarter of Monday's NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Redskins, Steelers starting QB Ben Roethlisberger injured his right shoulder and hand after hitting a defender's helmet while throwing a pass. After halftime, backup QB and DC native Byron Leftwich entered the game and proceeded to throw for 129 yards, a TD and led his team to a 23-6 victory.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Close your eyes for a minute. Think of what defines your childhood, your old friends, your old neighborhood, your memories-good and bad. This is what shaped you to become the person you are today. As we go on to our adult lives, our childhood memories always stay with us, but tend to slowly fade. Take some time to reflect on those days. Try to reach a childhood friend you hadn't spoken to in years. By virtue of today's social media outlets like Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc. it is easier than ever to reconnect.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Most businesses start with lofty goals, big plans and high expectations. Establishing your business as an industry leader in your local market gives you a blueprint of how to replicate it on a larger scale. It also allows you to make mistakes and learn your way on a more forgiving plane. If you are a locally owned business, you will often find a little more support and latitude than if you are a national player that comes in with heightened expectations. Start by owning your backyard and watch your territory grow from there.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
We've heard a lot in the last few months about "Wall Street" and "Main Street" but what's happening on your street? Your financial victory starts at home with basic core concept of establishing your personal budget. Sitting down and looking at what comes in and what goes out of your household is the foundation of establishing a solid plan of savings, spending responsibly and building towards your financial victory.

GAME PLAN-
The cliche says home is where the heart is. Home is not a physical structure, it's a feeling of security, serenity, comfort, ownership, pride and respect. Sometimes it takes us a while to find our sense of 'home' as we seek it in material possessions, seek it out in groups or organizations, trying to find out where we belong. I'm a big believe in 'going back to basics'. Re-establish those things in your life that enrich your soul and spirit, things that bring you joy and incorporate those as part of your daily lives.

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

SPORTS HEADLINE-
The Philadelphia Phillies won their first World Series title since 1980 Wednesday evening over the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3. The win, in Philadelphia capped off a 4 games to 1 series victory.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a sports fan is seeing a team celebrate ultimate victory. It reminds us that while most of these players are millionaires and live the lives that most of us can only dream of, they are simply just playing a game for the joy of winning.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
What's the point of achieving goals and milestones without taking the time to celebrate them? We find ourselves always chasing the next goal and next dream often without enjoying what we have already. When was the last time you sat back and took stock of what you've accomplished and reveled in it just a little. There's nothing wrong with being a slight bit self congratulatory. You've worked hard to get where you are and do what you've done. Before sprinting down the road towards that next target, take a deep breath and enjoy where you stand.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
It's been repeatedly documented and shown that there is a direct correlation between high employee morale and increased levels of production. Simply put, a happy worker is a productive worker. Doing simple things like unexpected work parties, catering in lunch for your employees on occasion, company sponsored Happy Hour, etc. are little things that show appreciation and celebration to those that toil for you. Celebrating their efforts will reap you rewards that far outweigh those that take their employees for granted.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
There is a common phrase "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." This also has financial applications. Is there really a point to hoarding every dollar you can, scrimping and saving without ever rewarding yourself with the fruits of your savings? You can't take it with you, so enjoy what your money allows you to do, within reason of course. One of the best reasons to ever do anything is simply 'because I can!' Is there a more powerful feeling in the world than being able to do things without worrying about the consequence? Be smart, don't stray off of your plan and don't be unreasonable with your spending, but by all means, treat yourself. You deserve it!

GAME PLAN-
On the way to ultimate victory in any phase of your life, there are small victories. Be sure to celebrate those small wins along the way so when you reach ultimate victory it doesn't seem like it was just a bunch of work to finally get to the end. There's a way to enjoy even the most tedious of tasks and that's by celebrating getting beyond them. Life is short, so you might as well enjoy the ride!

SUSPENDED ANTICIPATION

SPORTS HEADLINE-WORLD SERIES GAME 5 SUSPENDED BY RAIN
In a World Series that was already made historic by it's participants, history was made again Monday night when Major League Baseball suspended Game 5, tied 2-2 in the 6th inning due to inclement weather. This was the first game in World Series history to be suspended by weather and will be resumed at the suspension point at a later date. The Phillies are leading in the World Series 3-1 in a best of seven. They have the chance to clinch the series on their home field with a win in the completion of Game 5.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
There are times in all of our lives when we need to hit the pause button and chill for a minute. There was a study by Dr. Walter Mischel at Stanford University with 4 year old children where they were left alone in a room for 15 minutes with one marshmallow on a plate. They were told they could eat the marshmallow, but, if they didn't eat that marshmallow, then they would receive two marshmallows when the adult came back in the room. Predictably, some children ate immediately, others were more patient and were rewarded for their patience. 14 years later, those same students were revisited and almost universally the children that waited were more successful, trustworthy and dependable. The moral of the story is having the discipline to delay gratification is a valuable tool that will help shape all phases of your life.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Have you ever been at a crossroads professionally where you had to make a decision to take a minute to reassess the situation or just push through and hope for the best result? What did you do and how did it work out for you? Sometimes, taking that step back and determining what's going to be the ultimate best course for the long term may take you an unexpected direction in the short term. Ultimately however, that could be better than just pressing on and then having to make changes and adjustments in the short term to achieve your long term goals.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
One of the most difficult things consumers deal with in their monthly budget and spending habits is delayed gratification. I want that car NOW! I want that house NOW! I want that vacation NOW! But the major problem is, most of us don't have the assets to just make those impulsive purchases without sacrificing something else significant in our financial lives. We often fool ourselves into believing that a want is a need. We all have the same basic needs-food, clothing and shelter. We also have societal needs-transportation, entertainment and education. But anything beyond those are really optional. Being able to fill your needs at the level you can afford them will allow you to at a later point fill those same needs at a level closer to what you desire. Doing it the opposite way is a recipe for disappointment and often times failure.

GAME PLAN-
Have the belief that your time is coming. Know in your heart of hearts that the clouds of today are just the precursor to tomorrow's sunshine and you will soon bask in the glory of the rewards of your patience. When you delay gratification, it doesn't dilute the feelings of joy, jubilation and excitement of your victory, just the opposite. You will enjoy them more because you will know all that you have done to accomplish your goals and fully enjoy your victory!

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.