The week begins with a bright burst of energy. Monday is one of those days when the life seems short and the field of opportunity seems vast. Get as much done as you have the energy for -- stay late if you feel like it -- because Tuesday and Wednesday you're not going to feel like doing much at all. You will persevere, of course, because even in your grumpy moods you are unintentionally charming. On Thursday, a sweet email from someone you adore will perk you back up, and you'll end the week with a spring in your step and a bird on your shoulder.

You could rush around and act like a crazy person on Monday or you could take things a bit slower and give the impression of someone who is careful and discerning. Which do you think is better? Besides, there's a good financial argument in shopping around. The week warms up for you a bit by Wednesday (if not at work then in your personal life). But, on Thursday a big decision is going to stall you. Friday isn't a good day for signing any documents either. Some good news: your weekend's packed with greatness.

An associate has some terrific advice for you on Monday. You've been open about your hopes and wishes (personally and professionally) and this person would not lead you astray. Nevertheless, in all areas of work, the week ahead is full of challenges (and even a few direct obstacles). Communicate with people, make sure the bills are paid, listen, focus -- all the things you normally do, but make extra sure this week to be your best. Someone's going to ask you something on Friday and you'll be bowled over (and inspired) by the intelligence of the question.

On Monday, you're fast. You're a cheetah. Someone proposes an idea and within a few seconds you can see, with accuracy, several stages down the line. But people aren't math equations. Careful when you communicate this week that you choose your words. A party of some kind in the middle of the week lets you show off your formidable conversational prowess. If only you were so effective on the home front! Thursday and Friday, you're breaking out of your shell, going at things with gusto, showing people what you're really made of. It's awesome.

When you're on the brink of a big discovery, the littlest thing can mean a world of difference. Make sure you're paying attention! A clue might come from an unlikely source on Monday or Tuesday. On Wednesday, everyone else will be seemingly wrapped up in a popularity contest, but that's just about the last thing you have time for right now. There's too much to get done! By Thursday, at last, everyone will be focused and communicative. Be on your toes Friday and you might stumble across a brilliant new business idea.

<*dv_2*>A problem with coworkers requires your attention on Monday. Most likely, money is involved -- and when money's involved, people get extra weird. Keep your spirits up and be as fair as possible. By Tuesday, emotions will normalize and you'll have a day or two to soul search and express ideas freely, unburdened by strange squabbles. A work puzzle will put your analytical mind on overdrive Thursday. And Friday is entirely in your hands: The day will be as fun or as dull as you make it. This weekend, family obligations prevail.

Your working relationship with a colleague is the most important thing on Monday. Make sure they know how much you trust and adore them. (And if you need to give in to a minor point to cheer them up, by all means.) Midweek is pretty light, work-wise, although as your work life and social life blend together, stay attuned to what's going on below the surface of your interactions with coworkers. Thursday you have lots of energy and not enough work to do. By Friday, you're resigned to the fact that not all projects progress as fast as you'd like them to. Time to clock out and enjoy yourself.

As crazy as things are on Monday, if you stop to help someone else out with whatever's on their plate, you'll buy yourself a favor you can cash in later. You may decide to cash it in as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. A dispute will require some arbitration. You'll want a couple people on your side. (Don't be greedy or oppositional, if you can help it.) Thursday returns you to more everyday tasks. Pay close attention to the fine print before you scrawl your John Hancock on anything. And Friday? A tempting financial scheme will present itself, but it won't be worth the risk.

Work is nothing but fun on Monday. Other people seem stressed by all the work there is to do, whereas you're exhilarated by any challenge. To the extent you can make work seem like a game, you might get some of your coworkers to be as enthusiastic as you are. Then things get more serious. Not necessarily less enjoyable, just more focused and intense. The second half of the week will be a blur. By Friday afternoon, you'll look back on all you've gotten done and, well, a celebration will be in order. Possible way to celebrate this weekend: climb into a hammock and forget about everything.

<*dv_3*>Your family and your career are opposing forces in your life at the outset of the week. You may have to put work on the back burner for a day and get things squared away at home. Integrity and personal duty are big themes in your life right now. Tuesday and Wednesday will be unusually dynamic and entertaining work days, but be sure in spite of all the fun, that you arrive on time, are conscientious, maintain lines of communication, etc. Communication is an even bigger deal on Thursday and Friday. Short and sweet is the way to go. This weekend, your home life figures strongly again.

<*dv_0*>If you step back and take the wide view on things, you'll notice long-term patterns. Keeping the big picture in focus is essential when considering the kinds of lofty goals you have turning over in your mind. Tuesday and Wednesday, a journey into your professional past is going to unearth of lot of stuff more relevant to your current situation than you might have guessed. And then a piping hot love affair throws your off your feet (and off the career-centric path) on Friday. Quite a mixed bag for you this week. Enjoy the ride.

Work is a big haze on Monday, and no amount of coffee is going to clear it up. No sense in rushing around frantically. Let yourself sink into the week slowly. A thoughtful email will get you farther than any conversation on Tuesday and Wednesday (and, on a side note, in your love life, a home-cooked meal figures strongly). Thursday and Friday are, once again, hazy, but don't let this alarm you. You're in a fact-finding space right now. Once the clouds clear up (next week?), you'll know exactly what to do.