We all suffer misfortunes. Happy people however, choose to avoid waiting too long to see the funny side of their disappointments.

It never ceases to amaze me how much can be conveyed with a simple expression or look. Working in a part of Russia where few people speak English, it's even more apparent. A smile is perhaps the best recognised expression the world over and today I was reminded of the wonderful phrase, "If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours".

Encouraging, motivational phrases are all well and good but sometimes what's needed is just a little nonsense. My late father, it seemed, had a pearl of wisdom for every occasion. Today he may well have told me that "Even a paperboy can be rude".... how right he was.

To really succeed in anything you do it's vital you know your ultimate destination. Knowing exactly how you're going to get somewhere isn't that important but a clear undertanding of your goal is. Take a step back today and see the 10,000ft view of life, you might just pick out the destination.

I was on a film course recently and a number of well known phrases and sayings popped up over the two days. One that i'd not heard before made me smile and so i thought i'd share it with you. 'Persistence beats resistance'. What a terrific motivational concept that is, in just three words.

I put a favourite quote on my facebook page once. It simply said: "I'd rather regret something i've done, than something i've not done". Now i'd love to say that i live my life by that code but the truth isn't quote so clear cut. Perhaps the quote should have read: "Grant me the courage to regret the things i've done, rather than the things i've not done". Courage dear reader, courage.

When making your way in the world remember that only dead fish follow the stream. Plot your own course and make it happen. 

Have you ever noticed that the longer you dwell on a problem or issue, the worse it seems? Don't give your problems the power - face them.

It's been said that successful people make decisions quickly and change them slowly, unsuccessful people tend to make decisions slowly and then change them frequently. Why not make a point of being decisive today.

Winston Churchill once said "If you're going through Hell, keep going." We all have crappy days, but if we keep going and stand up to the things that fighten or intimidate us - they're seldom as strong as we think.