This isn't going to be a post about the emotional moments in life or some tips about petrol pumps because, to be honest, they aren't my strong points. Unlike Kate Winslet I'm not a fan of public displays of emotion, it's a personal thing, so please don't take offence, and as for petrol pumps well there's only so much you can say about them - they work!

To me filling up is all about information gathering, being aware of what is going on at a macro and micro level and what the implications of it are. The internet has opened a huge array of additional sources of information, you can go beyond the broad brushstrokes of TV or print news, you can delve into topic specific blogs and forums, news sites dedicated to an area or subject of interest or listen to the buzz on twitter or facebook to see what's genuinely exciting people in your area, country or globally.

Once you are aware of what people are saying you can engage in the coversation, there's no point jumping in with your opinion if someone else said it yesterday, there's no point trying to start a discussion if noone else is interested. Be informed, listen, gather information from as many sources and people as possible and then use it to intentionally engage in the conversation and influence people with your perspective.

As my mum always said 'think before you speak'...some things never change!