The Sun

A day when things go well. Noticing that is part of today's work too.

Things run smoothly from the morning, people smile, and even tasks you've put off wrap up easily. It's an especially good day for “showing” things — presentations, interviews, confessions, outings — so if you're on the fence about doing something today, do it.

Do one “showing” task you've been putting off today. Then, in the evening, tell someone, “Today was good.”

On a bright day, you don't see other people's shadows. If someone near you is having a hard day, dial your own mood down for a while.

A day that's fine but doesn't feel fine.

It looks like having no motivation though nothing's particularly wrong, brushing off praise with “that was just luck,” or, conversely, getting carried away by a success and skipping the checks. Today's problem isn't events but temperature.

Get twenty minutes of sunlight today and move your body. This card reversed loosens in the body first, not the head.

Look again tomorrow at both the promises made on an excited day and the things you gave up on a tired one.

A time when the relationship becomes bright and open — good for confessing, good for going public.

If you're in the early stage, a confession lands; if you're dating, it's a good time to introduce your partner to friends and family or make the relationship official. Even if there's a fight, it doesn't last long, and simply being happy together is the hallmark of this period.

If there's a confession or introduction you've been putting off, do it within this month. This card's relationships grow in the sunlight.

In a bright period, you miss the other person's darker sides. Don't let enjoyment take the place of judgment.

A state where the relationship isn't bad but you lack confidence, or you're so caught up in the good times that you don't see the other person.

It looks like doubting the relationship with “why would this person like me?”, or, conversely, being so intoxicated by the good times that you miss your partner's discomfort or pulling away. You may also grow impatient because milestones (marriage, moving in, going public) are delayed.

Ask “Are we okay lately?” not because of your own anxiety but to really see your partner. Watch their expression more than their answer.

“We're happy, so it must be fine” is how you miss the other person's signals. The bright times are when to pay attention.

A time when you're welcomed among people and stand at the center.

You brighten the mood at gatherings, have a warm reunion with someone you haven't seen in a long time, and relationships with children, family, and coworkers become simply enjoyable. It's a time when a reputation as someone who's “easy to be around” follows naturally.

Organize a get-together yourself this month. A low-pressure occasion (a meal, a walk, a short outing) grows your relationships in this period.

The person at the center doesn't see the quiet ones. At the gathering, be the first to talk to the one person who isn't speaking.

A time when you feel small among people, or, conversely, end up talking only about yourself.

It looks like shrinking back and skipping gatherings, or getting so carried away by your own success that you don't hear others and talk only about “my stuff.” Either way, the hallmark of this period is that the temperature of your relationships rises and falls with your own state.

At the next gathering, before telling “my story,” ask the other person two questions first. It's the same prescription for the one who's shrunk back and the one who's carried away.

Words that begin with “things have been going great for me lately” can sound like bragging depending on the listener's situation. Ask how their days have been first.

A time of bright, simple joy in marriage and family.

If marriage is ahead, both families welcome it and preparations go smoothly; if you're married, a worry-free stretch comes for the children, the home, and the relationship. This card often ties in with good news about pregnancy, childbirth, or children.

Take photos of the two of you during this good period, and if you have children, briefly record your everyday life as it is now. Memories from this time become an asset in hard times.

Happy couples put off talking about money. While things are bright, discuss future big expenses (a home, education, parents) once.

A state where the marriage isn't bad but doesn't satisfy, or where you're so caught up in good times that you don't see the problems.

It looks like more and more comparison with “everyone else seems to be doing better,” impatience because outcomes like children or a home are delayed, or, conversely, being so intoxicated by happiness that you don't notice your spouse's exhaustion. If you're not married yet, it's a time when the excitement of preparation hides your partner's hesitation.

Each of you write down three things “that are good in our marriage right now.” If your lists differ, filling in each other's list is the next task.

“This is happy enough” is often said by someone who has never asked their spouse.

A bright time when income grows and money worries shrink.

Visible income arrives — a promotion, a bonus, rising sales, an offer with good terms — and money that's long been stuck gets released. Money in this period has nothing to hide, so taxes, filings, and settlements also tend to wrap up cleanly.

Set aside thirty percent of the extra income first as “money saved while the sun is shining.” This card's money is for the next card.

If you raise your standard of living when you're earning well, it's hard to lower it when you're not. Even if income rises, keep your fixed expenses as they are.

A state where money isn't bad but you feel anxious, or you let your guard down because you're earning well and it leaks away.

It looks like income that's fine, yet you can neither spend nor save because of “will this last?”, or, conversely, spending rising in a good-earning period so nothing's left over. You may also grow impatient because an expected bonus or incentive is delayed.

Put the last three months of income and spending side by side and look at “the percentage left over.” If income rose but the percentage stayed the same, that's where it's leaking.

The things you bought “because things are going well lately” remain even after lately is over.

A time when results are visible and recognized.

Launches, presentations, and contracts succeed, team morale is high, and bosses and clients rate you well. In this period, showing rather than hiding (public announcements, demos, sharing results) calls in the next opportunity, and it favors hiring, expansion, and raising investment.

Summarize your successful results on one page — “what, how, in numbers” — and share it this week. Records kept while things are bright are the grounds for your next evaluation.

When things go well, organizations cut back on reviews. The more successful the project, the more formally you should hold a post-project review.

A time when there are results but recognition is slow, or when you're so intoxicated by success that you can't see the next risk.

It looks like good work getting buried or bonuses and promotions being pushed back so motivation drops, or, conversely, expanding after a single success while underestimating the market, competition, and costs. A team that doesn't listen to customer complaints because “we're good at this” is also a signal.

If recognition is slow, document your results without emotion and make a formal request. If you're intoxicated, read your ten most recent customer complaints.

Expansion right after success ruins more companies than anything else. When things are going well, calculate “how much we'd lose if it fails.”