The Year of the Horse and its impact on your career

 Last weekend we saw London’s Chinatown and its surrounds packed with people and dancing dragons celebrating the coming of the Chinese New Year – the Year of The Horse. If we are to believe the Feng Shui masters who predict the different outcomes each Chinese year will have on us, there will be a few ups and downs along the way. So what will the New Year bring for your career? Here are some tips to navigate your way through… Are you a horse?

Firstly, if like me you were born in a Year of the Horse and you thought this year was made for you- think again, it’s quite the opposite in fact. The best career advice for us horses are to: keep your head down and soldier on, and definitely don’t think about changing jobs. Apparently 2014 is the year we are destined to offend ‘Tai Sui’, the god in charge of people’s fortune, and as such we are destined for a rough ride in the luck area.

Planning to ask for a pay rise? This equine year will be a year where people stand firm and stick to their principles, so maybe not the best year try to negotiate that big pay rise (especially if you are one of those poor horses). Yet if you are intent on demanding that raise then definitely avoid doing so in the first, fourth and seventh lunar months (February, May and August). According to Feng Shui practitioner Raymond Lo it’s because this year “is also a ‘yang wood’ year”. Maybe a career break? Feng Shui expert James Dong predicts that if you are aged 21, 23, 27, 33, 35, or 39 then it will be good luck to have a baby this year. This is due to 2014 being a “double spring” year. Macmillan Davies’ Interim team haven’t doubled the revenue forecast based on increased maternity contracts but we’re hopeful none the less… Fancy a change of sector? Because it’s specifically a Wood horse year, businesses to do with wood or fire (wood combusts) will purportedly do well, whilst those to do with metals and water will not fare so kindly.

So maybe this year is that year to get out of mining and start working for the fire service? Or swap your role in that shipping company for one on agriculture? And if you have a global role? Because the wooden horse suggests fire, many Chinese astrologers are predicting an increase in fire related activity in places such as Australia and South America, either as gunfire or volcanic activity. I’m sure you were thinking that your European client groups needed your attention this year anyway, weren’t you?

And finally, is there any hope for us horses? For those horses that are in a state of depression having read the bleak prophecy relating to them, there are some actions you can take to increase your chances of getting your share of career luck this year. Green is your lucky colour and your lucky numbers are 3,4 and 9. So if you are determined to go for the rise or negotiate a salary at a new job then an increase of 34.9% isn’t as random as some may think, and who said green shirts weren’t fashionable? Happy New Year (again).