It is no secret. Everyone who knows me well, knows that I am a big fan of Tolkien and his tales of Middle Earth. I have good reason too. Once you get past the Orc's, and Uruk Hai's, understand that Gandalf and Mithrandir are the same person and the Eagles couldn't just drop the ring into Mordor themselves, there are some valuable lessons to be drawn from this great work. Here are just a few gems that appear in Peter Jackson's big screen adaptation.

When in Doubt, Always Follow Your Nose

There is no book and no business course that can compensate for taking the time to sit quietly and listen to your intuition. It will be the best and most honest guide you can have.

Don’t be a 'Fool of a Took!'

It's easy to let curiosity, ambition, and inexperience get the better of us, especially when first starting out in business. Some of the best decisions I've made have been the wrong ones, because I learned valuable lessons and made changes to my business that had served us well in the long run. My point is this: you won't get it right 100% of the time but always put the lessons learned to good use.

Wizards Arrive Precisely When They Mean To

Some people call it fate, or 'being in the right place at the right time', truth is, you never know when you're about to meet a person who can change your business for the better. There is just one catch - you have to show up and you have to get your name out there.

If You Don’t Keep Your Feet, There Is No Telling Where You Might Be Swept off To

Running a business is an exhilarating (and sometimes exhausting) experience. There are times when you need to be sensible and times when you need to change tack very quickly. A lot of entrepreneurs describe their experiences as 'an adventure' because truth be told, the reason we enjoy it so much is because of the highs and lows, and the unexpected challenges that come our way. If you're just setting up your business be prepared for a roller-coaster ride.

If Someone Offers You a Ring, Don’t Accept It

We've all come face to face with that person who wants to charm us into spending time and money on something that could do us more harm than good. My opinion: if something seems too good to be true it probably is.

All We Have to Decide Is What to Do With the Time That Is Given to Us

When things go wrong don't ask 'why me?' Ask yourself how best to deal with it and how to turn it into a positive situation.

The Closer We Are to Danger, the Further We Are From Harm

If you want to achieve things you have to live outside your comfort zone.

I Made a Promise.

Businesses do appreciate working with good, honest people. There is nothing wrong in believing that the best you can do is stick by your promises and be honest in all you do.

Hobbits are Remarkable Creatures

Never under-estimate the little guy.

It Comes in Pints?

Leave the office, turn off your phone and take a little time off to reward yourself.

Think we've left out some valuable advice? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts.