Brian Mackenzie (name changed to protect the guilty) is a 38 year old, 78 kilogram male with a penchant for chocolate. This is an unfortunate predilection because Mr Mackenzie is no longer allowed to eat the precious stuff. According to his wife Brenda, a family history of diabetes and heart problems precludes him from eating anything sweeter than a piece of fruit.

Brian's wife is a caring woman and Brian knows this, but in defiance of her requests and doctor's orders he continues to have the occasional chocolate 'blow out'. He enjoys it, so why shouldn't he?

Not knowing what the doctor has told Brian (and not being a doctor myself), I can't necessarily make comment on his medical condition. His situation, however, mirrors that of hundreds of thousands of people.

I'm not talking specifically about people with heart disease or diabetes. Or even about people with chocolate addictions. I'm talking about people who are determined not to listen to the people who have their best interests at heart.

Too many people in life, business, sport...the list goes on, do what they want against the advice of others who may know better and who have the life experience to back their concern or suggestion.

I can list several sports identities in AFL and rugby league who were given numerous warnings to behave but failed to listen to the most basic directives. They are now all facing criminal charges.

Then there are the politicians who have found themselves in hot water lately. I'm not going to lay blame at the feet of any one politician, but the Federal Government's current problems could have been avoided had they taken the 'time' to listen to industry groups and advice groups and read the relevant reports. Instead, the government ignored advice and rushed through a financial package that brought to the surface all the problems afflicting an unregulated industry. For the government this has had a terrible social, political and economic impact.

Ministers only had to listen to their advisors and their sustainability initiatives may have had a long term positive impact.

The most successful people in life are the ones who listen. They are the ones who have surrounded themselves with people whose comments and ideas they respect and thus evaluate.

So I urge people to think before they act and instead of dismissing even the smallest ideas out of hand, listen to them, evaluate them and utilise them in the most positive way that affects their lives and the lives of those around them.

It wouldn't be too hard for Brian to stop gorging on chocolate, eat it in very measured moderation and accept his wife's advice. If he does this, there is no doubt he will succeed in staying healthy, taking negative pressure away from his relationship and live longer to do the big things he always wanted to do.