Don't put your faith in a proposal until you have the facts to support it. If you're dealing with an untested idea, be cautious. You don't want to waste resources on something that is destined to fail. People are counting on you to make the right decision. Call upon expert opinion for help. Instead of hiring a corporate consultant, talk to people who work in the field. Take their feedback seriously. These people know what it takes to fix a system wide problem.

Trust your intuition about another person's motives. If you suspect somebody is trying to butter you up, you're right. You don't have to shun this individual. Instead, continue to treat them pleasantly, but never show your hand. When asked direct questions about what you're going to do, respond with an enigmatic smile. There's no reason you have to reveal your game plan to a manipulator. Rely on the element of surprise. It will put you in poll position to put one over on them.

Don't let a desire for perfection undermine a close relationship. It's important to be honest about your best friend's strengths and weaknesses. Expecting them to improve is an exercise in futility. The only person whose behaviour you can control is your own. The sooner you adopt a more laid back approach to your loved one, the stronger your bond will become. You might even notice them working harder to meet your approval. People feel motivated to impress those who make them feel good.

Creating a clean, orderly environment will help you thrive. You've always been sensitive to your surroundings. If it feels like you're surrounded by chaos, you become nervous. Take a few moments to file away piles of paper, weed your email and delete old phone messages. Wipe down surfaces and vacuum the floor. Organise supplies so you can easily find and access them. By the time you are finished, you'll have a wonderful sense of achievement.

If you're going to command respect, you must keep your emotions under wraps. That doesn't mean denying your feelings. Discuss what is on your mind with a trusted friend. They'll listen with a sympathetic ear, allowing you to process fear and anger in a constructive way. If someone questions your ability or challenges your assertions, stay calm. By projecting an air of calm assurance, you'll win the people's trust. You'll always have a few detractors, but they'll be a slim minority.

Try not to worry so much about loved ones. When anxiety starts to mount, it's helpful to have an outlet for your emotions. Working with your hands can be soothing. Kneading bread, digging in the garden, sanding furniture and knitting are all good habits to adopt. Your loved ones appreciate your concern, but sometimes feel smothered by it. By showing faith in their abilities, they'll become more self-sufficient. You can build a relationship on mutual affection, rather than co-dependence.

Stay focused on things you want to achieve. Entertaining notions of what could go wrong is counterproductive. The only thing over which you have control is your own behaviour. By preparing well and practicing as much as possible, you'll turn the odds in your favour. If you fall short of your goals, you can be proud of your hard work. It's much better to try and fail than wonder what might have been. You'll also win the admiration of those who respect your courage and fine character.

Be as resourceful as possible with money. If you have to buy an expensive piece of equipment, do lots of research before making your purchase. When spending lots of money, it's always tempting to follow the herd. This could result in a costly mistake. Buying something with a record of longevity and reliability is the better path. If you're having a hard time making ends meet, make some changes to your lifestyle. Make it your mission to get the best value possible, each and every time.

You have the potential for being a successful leader. This means having to make some unpopular decisions. Normally, you prefer to bring people together in a spirit of harmony, but that won't be possible now. You'll be forced to make some cuts to preserve the integrity of the organisation as a whole. Many people will be bitterly disappointed. Prepare to defend your choice and don't get angry if you're attacked for it. In time, people will realise you made the best of a difficult situation.

Stop beating yourself up for old mistakes. You can't go back in a time machine and change things. The best you can do is deal with the consequences of your actions. You won't win back someone's trust overnight. Instead, you must own up to your behaviour, ask for an apology and change your ways. It may take several attempts before a loved one is willing to talk to you again. Stay calm. It isn't enough to have good intentions. You have to show you can practice what you preach.

Practicing tolerance isn't easy. Some of the people around you are dreadfully conventional. They don't understand the need to change with the times. By taking time to address their concerns, you'll plant the seeds for a new way of doing things. You prefer moving at lightning speed, especially when you have lots to do. Rushing will get you into trouble now. Take a few deep breaths, slow down and be patient. Make a compelling case for technological advancement. Your hard work will pay off.

You take your professional responsibilities very seriously. When someone pressures you to cut corners, you become suspicious. There's a good reason there are rules in place. When you ignore them, safety is compromised. Continue to do things by the book. If anyone asks why it is taking so long to finish a particular project, explain all the steps involved. The policy might be changed after examining this delay. It's more likely you will be praised for resisting temptation and taking sensible precautions.