LOOKS LIKE A DUCK, WALKS LIKE A DUCK, MUST BE A DUCK

SPORTS HEADLINE-ADAM 'PAC-MAN' JONES INVOLVED IN HOTEL FIGHT
Oft troubled Dallas Cowboys defensive back Adam 'Pac Man' Jones was involved in a fight with a team employed bodyguard on Tuesday night at a hotel outside of Dallas. The police were called but no injuries were reported and no charges will be filed.

Jones was recently reinstated to the NFL after serving a one year suspension for conduct unbecoming an NFL player by commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell suspended Jones after a series of arrest involving alcohol, firearms and disorderly conduct spanning 2004-2007.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Author and motivational speaker Dennis Kimbro has been known to say, 'You are an average of the people you surround yourself with.' This is just a more eloquent way of what you mother always said, 'be careful who you hang around with!' There are just some people who cannot seem to stay out of their own way and trouble finds them. It's vital to your success and your reputation to thoroughly screen the people who you have in your inner circle. Surround yourself with people who share your same goals or better goals, have the same energy and drive for success or more than yours.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
How many times have you seen talent trump character? We've all experienced people in the professional arena that are just amazing at what they do, but their benefit to the business or organization is offset by the baggage they carry. Sometimes it's a correctable problem but sometimes it's just not. Some people are who they are and will be who they will be. As a business owner or team leader, you have to keep in mind the overall best interest of the organization and sometimes let someone's talent be another teams' headache.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
You've heard the phrase 'throwing good money after bad'. A way to apply that is if you continue to soak money into an investment that has shown you historically that it is not paying off. There is far less shame in walking away from a poor investment than spending untold amounts of time and more money trying to rescue it. There are times when you can salvage a poor decision or investment by allocating more resources to it, but there's also a time to realize that it's not working and let it go.

GAME PLAN-
While we are conditioned to give people the benefit of the doubt and we are unquestionably in a society of giving second and third chances, we also must have the wisdom to realize that some things and people are exactly what they seem to be. Maya Angelou said, 'when someone shows themselves to you, believe them' meaning when someone or something reveals their true character, despite us at times wishing and believing it to be something else, trust what they are showing. You will be stronger, better and more fulfilled by letting those go by the wayside and moving on to more positive influences in your life.

DELAYED PROMISE

SPORTS HEADLINE-2007 #1 OVERALL PICK MAKES LONG AWAITED NBA DEBUT
Greg Oden was supposed to be 'next'. He was called the best true center to enter the NBA from the college ranks since Shaq. He had the footwork of Bill Russell, the shooting touch of Patrick Ewing and the athleticism of Alonzo Mourning. But before even his first preseason practice he experienced soreness in his right knee and went season ending micro-fracture surgery.

Oden finally made his debut Tuesday night in a pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings. In less than 20 minutes on the court, Oden scored 13 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and blocked 2 shots.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Life is full of setbacks, unexpecteded pitfalls and unfortunate obstacles. Things will rarely go as you always plan or hope that they will go, so the question is-how will you respond? Physical injuries have a pretty set course, get treatment, get the injury repaired, get rehab and work your way back. Recovering from emotional or other personal setbacks seems to have a less clear path but in reality the road back is very similar. Take the necessary time to work through the stages of whatever you have to overcome but always have the knowledge that at the end of the road your victory awaits you.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
One of the hardest things to deal with when starting a business is the time that you often have to incur as you slowly grow your clientele. While you can clearly see the merits of your product or service and it's so clear to you why this is the best thing since sliced bread, it may take some time for the rest of the world to come around. Having the focus, determination and unshakeable belief that what you have to offer is the best option out there and you can perform it better than anyone else may be the difference between a great idea and an amazing, fulfilling career.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
Our finances have such an impact on every area of our lives. When times are good, it seems like nothing can get us down. When times are tough, it seems that the hits just keep on coming. Recovery from financial setbacks can seem and feel like a never ending road. It's so easy to focus on what you don't have, can't afford or are missing out on. But take the opposite view instead. Look at all of the lessons you've learned, the amazing opportunities ahead and how much you will be able to appreciate the sacrafices you've had to make.

GAME PLAN-
This one is really simple. Whenever you are faced with a setback or a significant unexpected challenge, rather than just focusing on the problem, look past just the solution to the ultimate outcome. Believe that you will emerge stronger, smarter and better after all is said and done.

DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE

SPORTS HEADLINE-MMA STAR KIMBO SLICE SUFFERS KO AT HANDS OF UNKNOWN
Internet legend turned MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter Kimbo Slice was knocked out 14 seconds into his nationally televised Elite XC fight Saturday vs. Seth Petruzelli. Slice was orignially scheduled to fight Ken Shamrock in a headline bout featuring 2 of the sports biggest names, but when Shamrock was injured in a sparring session, Petruzelli substituted in his place for the bout.

Slice, who grew a large fanbase and viral icon status in 2006 & 2007 for his videotaped 'Backyard Brawls', shown on You Tube, had been undefeated in MMA action and was expected to make quick work of Shamrock's replacement.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Have you ever had that feeling of invincibility? We can all remember those times when everything is going right in our world, the sun seems to be shining every day, we catch every green light on the way to work, everyone we encounter is smiling and happy, life is just great! Unfortunately we also remember the days when the rain seems just a little bit harder when we walk out the door, it seems that your car has a license plate that says 'CUTMEOFF' and you are wearing a huge 'Kick Me!' sign on your back. That's why it's good to maintain an even keel about you, regardless of what's going on in life. Enjoy the highs and navigate the lows but don't get too caught up in either one.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-
Every once in a while a revolutionary idea or a sales/marketing/management superstar comes along. For every Bill Gates, there are hundreds of dot com 'geniuses' that fizzled just as soon as their fatal flaws were exposed. Good business owners and investors are able to see through all of the hype of what looks to be grand on the surface, but they take the time to really dig deeper into the product or person to really uncover it's substance. While it is great to be riding the wave of what seems to be a great idea or addition to your team, be sure that wave has sustaining power and doesn't come crashing down on top of you.

PERSONAL FINANCES-
It's a common saying in sales to 'sell the sizzle, not the steak' meaning if you are able to sell the benefits of something, then your job is much easier to complete the sale. So when you are looking for areas for investment or starting a home based business to generate supplemental or to be your primary source of income, how quickly do you get caught up in all of the hype and promises of fast money with little effort? It all seems so easy, until you've spent unknown amounts of money just to realize you don't have the time, knowledge or passion to follow through with what's needed to be done in order to be succesful. That's what most of these companies bank on, that you are going to plop down your money and leave the product sitting in a corner somewhere. They've made their money to keep paying for advertising for the next person whose interest they can peak. Take a few extra steps to really research and think about what you are getting into and make sure you are ready to fully committ the time, energy and passion to developing and growing your business.

GAME PLAN-
Coaches commonly say that you are never as good as you think you are and never as bad as they say you are. Life is filled with highs, lows, unfulfilled promises and unexpected disappointments. Buying in to the hype is a sure fire way to set your self up for disappointment, just as believing that nothing good will ever happen for you because you are in a lull is a virtual guarantee to manifest that because your thoughts and actions lead down a negative path. Remaining medium, while still enjoying the highs and learning from the lows will lead you to a more satisfying and fulfilling life.