If I had to name defining characteristics that unites successful people, I would say they are positivity and perseverance. Successful people are defined by their failures, and their ability to get up, dust off and try again. Successful people don't wait and see, successful people never give up. They don't always have the answers but they have enough answers to take a calculated risk.

When Mahatma Gandhi did the Salt March, he made sure everyone knew that he was going on a pilgrimage and that he planned to break the law prevailing at the time which forbade the making of salt. He did not know if his peaceful protest would end in peace or bloodshed. He wanted change, and for him, the quest for change was the opportunity to let go of fear and for his optimism to fuel his creativity.

Times are changing in dentistry and never before has leadership been such necessary skill. Leaders define their vision and empower others to implement it. Clinical leadership is a much used phrase but organisational leadership runs neck to neck in terms of importance. We don't know exactly what the coalition government have planned for dentistry in the UK, nor how much worse the impact of the global crisis will be, but winners will emerge and so will losers. There is a journey that is just about to begin. Are you on the bus?

"If I have the belief I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning," said Mahatma Gandhi.

Choose your attitude.  Follow your dream.  Be the master of your own destiny. There are many living in more difficult circumstances who do not have that choice, and we can lead the way for them by lighting up our lives and lighting theirs up too. 

Seema Sharma runs The Sharma Foundation. Visit http://www.justgiving.com/sharmafoundation and type seema into the box to find out about the various projects she runs to help underprivileged communities in India. If you would like to help "light up a smile", email info@thesharmafoundation.org