Pouring too much energy into work is causing problems in your personal life. Your nearest and dearest are tired of being treated like they are second best. It's time to adjust your priorities. Take a few days off and spend them with the people you love most. Spending quality time together will make you realise how much you have missed. Apologise for your inattention and make a renewed commitment to these relationships. If you don't, at least one close friendship will fall apart at the seams.

Although your expertise is admirable, it isn't absolute. A newcomer who has been experimenting with cutting edge techniques and bold theories can be instructive. Open your mind and listen to what they have to say. Some of their ideas will fly in the face of your own convictions. Others will excite and intrigue you. Instead of treating this relationship like a competition, use it to further your own understanding. The most impressive experts see themselves as eternal students.

Don't pry into a friend's private life. When they want to share a secret, they'll confide in you. If they aren't talking about a subject, it's because they aren't ready to discuss it. Give them their space. Are you dealing with someone who is in the grips of an addiction or obsession? A gentle suggestion to get professional help is all the help you can give. The decision to get better rests with your loved one. The only person whose behaviour you can change is your own.

Charm won't get you anywhere. Someone who is intent on following the rules won't bend them for you. Instead of trying to get them to do your bidding, give in with good grace. Demanding special treatment will reflect badly on you. You're dealing with an antiquated system that isn't designed to help people with unique needs. If this structure is ever going to change, you'll have to make an appeal to the highest authority. Schedule a meeting with the person in charge.

An overly critical attitude will backfire. People won't appreciate nit-picking observations, especially when they face a looming deadline. If someone asks for your opinion, give a noncommittal response. Telling the truth will only cause anger and resentment. You've always had high standards, which is admirable. This is one of those times when it's better to deliver a flawed product on time than strive for perfection. Offering support to your teammates will pave the way for good working relationships.

Bossing people around will turn would be friends into enemies. It's better to focus on your own work than worry about what everybody else is doing. The people who matter know you are the most talented person in the group. Although you should be rightfully proud of this accomplishment, you shouldn't lord your abilities over everyone else. When others ask for help, offer it as an equal, not a superior. Being a good team player will make you popular at all levels of the organisation.

Clinging too tightly to a relationship will cause it to burst like a soap bubble. Instead of commanding a loved one to stay at your side, encourage them to pursue a path of their own. When each of you have different interests, you'll grow as individuals. This will make you better partners. It isn't healthy to constantly defer to each other. Go your own way, discover what you like and dislike and be more assertive about your needs.

Engaging in gossip will create problems. You're working with a group that requires kindness, respect and trust. Speculating about each other's private lives will cause hurt feelings. If someone's behaviour seems secretive or confusing, try to get to know them better. Invite them out for drinks or coffee. There's a chance your colleague will resist your attempts at friendship. Don't take these rebuffs personally. You might be dealing with someone who has been deeply hurt in the past.

Someone could demonstrate that your assumptions are wrong. Instead of clinging stubbornly to your opinions, you should graciously admit you are wrong. Your reasonable attitude will be welcomed by the group. Soon, you'll form friendships with people who were once your adversaries. Sometimes you have to let go of your ego to admit new energy into your life. This is one of those situations. There are more important things than being right. By working as part of a team, you'll create a system that works for everyone.

You're restless. The thought of concentrating on one task is enough to make you break out in hives. Unfortunately, there is important work to be done. Ignoring this job will create problems for colleagues who are waiting for you to submit your work so they can begin theirs. Take a few deep breaths, focus and dispatch this duty as quickly as possible. When you finish, take a nature walk, drive to your favourite beauty spot or spend an hour or two with your pets.

No matter how closely you pay attention, you can't get the gist of what someone is saying. Following instructions will be difficult, since you have been given contradictory messages. Instead of applying yourself to this task, ask for clarification. Explain what is confusing you. There's a chance the person in charge secretly doesn't know what they're doing. If that's the case, do the best you can with the limited information you've received. You won't be disparaged for making the best of a bad situation.

Acting in your self-interest will make others angry and upset. You'll be accused of being cold and unfeeling. This is difficult, because you have a reputation for being conscientious. Lately, you've been tired of putting your needs aside for the sake of everyone else. Instead of taking the lion's share of the profits for a group effort, divide the money equally. In the future, work on solo projects. That way, there won't be any dispute about how the profits should be split.