If it’s your birthday

You have a perfectionist streak — though use it in measured doses for the best results. Maintain your commitment to doing heartfelt, high-quality work, and don’t drive yourself nuts looking for every seeming imperfection. By all means, proofread, but trust that the warmth and positive spirit of your message is what comes through loud and clear. You share a birthday with Mel Brooks, Pat Morita and Kathy Bates. MAY 21-JUNE 20 You will need to think quickly today; though remember, you’ve already thought through your situation and you know what to do. So before you approach any decision, think back on what you’ve learned the past 48 hours. Your knowledge is a fair match for anyone’s seeming power or force. JUNE 21-JULY 22 Your mind is on fire, and you’ll need to measure your words carefully. You can be compelling, you can be convincing, and you can hurt someone. Therefore, dial back the emotion behind your language, and edit your words down to the simplest, clearest statements of fact. AUG. 23-SEPT. 22 Be careful what you say and, in particular, what you write, email, post or in any way make public. If you’re feeling anger, put down your device, or graciously back out of the phone call. It will be a different discussion tomorrow — one far less likely to backfire or cause harm. SEPT. 23-OCT. 22 You have extraordinary influence at the moment, so much that you may not be aware of your own impact. You might also leap to incorrect assumptions and conclusions, which could cause problems with higher-ups. Use your potential impact with care and discretion. Your words and ideas can do genuine good. OCT. 23-NOV. 21 You’ve had those experiences when you were certain you were absolutely correct, and turned out to be utterly wrong. Rather than take chances, if you’re feeling certain about something, give it a day or two to prove itself out. If your thought is right today, that still counts tomorrow. NOV. 22-DEC. 21 You must let reason prevail, and you’re in an excellent position to do so. Let everyone else do all the over-emoting. Such is, of course, a failure of self-leadership. Yet the chances are, you’ve got the most at stake; you’re ultimately responsible. Your steady, calm mind must be at the helm. DEC. 22-JAN. 19 If someone has something to say to you, let them get it out, and do your best not to react. Just take it in, listen carefully, and save your response for tomorrow or the next day. This will save a senseless argument. Whoever made the fuss will be regretting it soon enough. JAN. 20-FEB. 18 Current aspects are driving some strong opinions, though you might ask yourself why you care so much. The answer to that question might be that, in fact, you don’t care all that much — but something else is grating on you. To ratchet things down, start by taking better care of yourself. FEB. 19-MARCH 20 You’re in a beautiful position to burn your insecurities for fuel. Your passion is what’s doing the burning; your curiosity and pleasure-seeking tendencies are providing plenty of help. There are much better things to do with your mind than worry. Call forth your courage and set yourself free.