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Mercury rules many of the essential ingredients of any job or business: communication, computers, sales, negotiation and travel. So the influence of Mercury Retrograde -- when the messenger planet appears to change directions and move in reverse -- will be more than obvious in your work life.
You can expect computer crashes, miscommunications, delays, missed appointments, and general confusion during these 3-week periods. But you don't need to close up shop or take an extended vacation -- if you know how to cooperate with the influence, your work can actually benefit during this time. Follow these tips to minimize stress and make the most of Mercury Retrograde.
Initiate new projects! Whatever you begin during Mercury Retrograde will take longer than you think, and won't turn out as you expect. In fact, you may have to redo it altogether, or eventually decide that it was never a good idea anyway. If your boss insists on starting something new -- or if the nature of your work demands it -- move slowly, double-check all the details, and be prepared to be flexible in your approach.
Related Article: 7 Travel Tips for Mercury Retrograde
Return to old projects to redo or complete them. Business tends to slow down during Mercury Retrograde, giving you a chance to catch up. You may be able to find a new approach to matters from the past now that you can see them from a fresh perspective. Cleaning up old issues will help you move ahead with new ideas once Mercury starts moving forward again. Bring order to any chaotic situations -- go through old files, clean your desk, and put your paper shredder to work.
Make important decisions that lock you into future commitments! Decisions made during Mercury Retrograde are likely to be altered or reversed. Assume that you don't yet have all the information you need, and that your brain is not functioning at normal speed. Commitments should be short-term, with built-in flexibility for the inevitable changes of mind as the situation unfolds.
Be extra vigilant in all matters where accuracy, clarity, and timeliness are important. Since the potential for miscommunication is high in all business deals or work-related conversations, check in frequently to confirm that everyone is on the same page. If you're writing an important letter or e-mail, or publishing a newsletter or other publication, ask a colleague to review your work. Allow yourself extra time to arrive at appointments -- and be patient with latecomers who encountered unexpected delays.
Start a new job, career, or business! It's unlikely to result in satisfaction and success. Instead, take the time to explore your options -- it's worth waiting a few weeks until the planets are on your side. Likewise, if you're in a position to hire new employees, don't -- wait until Mercury is moving forward again, or you risk going through the hiring process twice.
Research potential career changes or new business opportunities. Consider Mercury Retrograde a preparation period -- rewrite your resume, gather information, and find out what skills you'll need to sharpen or acquire. You'll be grateful you took the time to do your homework.
Related Article: Career Changes by Zodiac Sign
Buy new office equipment: computers, phones, copy machines, etc. This is one of the fundamental rules of Mercury Retrograde, and you don't want to mess with it! Electronics purchased now are likely to cause you more hassle than they're worth. If you absolutely must buy one of these items during this time, hold on to your receipt, make sure you have a warranty, and know the return policy. Installing new software systems is also not recommended -- though it is a good time for upgrading or repairing existing ones.
Back up your data! This point cannot be over-emphasized -- save, and save often. During Mercury Retrograde, you will hear many sad stories about perfectly decent people losing hours of valuable work due to a technical malfunction or carelessness. Don't be a statistic!
Sign contracts! Agreements made during Mercury Retrograde are unlikely to "stick" -- they may not be honored by one party or the other. Postpone signing contracts -- especially those of great importance -- to achieve the desired outcome. If you must sign during Mercury Retrograde, review every line of the contract obsessively, even if it's something fairly standard or routine.
Review and, if necessary, renegotiate existing or past contracts. Circumstances may have changed since you signed the initial agreement, and now is the time to bring it up to date.
Initiate new business partnerships! Someone could seem like the perfect partner now, but in three weeks they may look very different. Misperception, miscommunication, and misunderstandings are all likely now -- don't waste your time trying to create new alliances!
Look up old business contacts and clients and reconnect with former colleagues. Revisiting work relationships from the past helps you see your present situation in a new light. If there are any lingering issues between you and a past or current co-worker, address it so you can both move on.
Finally -- and most importantly -- DO keep your sense of humor! Glitches, mistakes, and miscommunications are inevitable, but rarely result in disaster, so relax and go with the flow. Enjoy this opportunity to watch Astrology in action!
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