Every season has its moods and flavors. Spring is a time of new optimism and in last month's letter, Planting Seeds of Spring, I wrote about planting seeds as a metaphor for possibilities.

April has its unique challenges and opportunities. With usual focus on taxes, we are reminded of our relationship to money. We see our tax returns as scorecards for our financial health. In our society money equals power and security and there's a common belief that money makes world go round. I like to think that its love that makes world go round.

What we do with our time and what we think about defines who we are. Because of financial pressures we have increased demands on our time and less time to do what we really want. With so many people affected by today's economy and struggle to make ends meet, thinking about ideals and values seems like a luxury. But this is precisely what we must do. If we don't reconnect with what gives our life meaning and purpose we will have nothing when scorecard turns against us.

I do not underestimate importance of money. Money is important, but more important is what we do and sacrifice to get it. If pursuit of money and commerce is our main focus, we will lose sight of what our real work is on this planet and lose ability to appreciate little things life offers us. Until we shift our focus to consider what we need to sustain us on a soul level, we cannot begin to heal ourselves from this predicament. Only then will we find a way out. "We make choices about how to take care of business, how to make sure we take care of our needs and needs of our children...The question is whether or not we can let song of our soul—our essential nature—guide those choices when fear is singing on our other ear. The question is which tune do we dance to, which piper do we pay." The Dance, Oriah Mountain Dreamer

1.Company culture 2.Everything else is excellent 3.Your outlook 4.Are you in loop? 5.Age and career potential of manager 6.Support, life skills 7.Change departments or jobs

1.COMPANY CULTURE

This may be single most important thing. I’ve visited many offices and each one had its own distinct culture. All companies have same policies and procedures handbook, basically, because it has to do with legal, but it’s unwritten rules that dictate.

I can recall some where hostility seemed to be policy. You could cut tension with a knife. This will make company ultimately dysfunctional, but that won’t mitigate potential damage to your health if you remain. Don’t think “This place is really sick … but I’ll be fine.” It doesn’t work that way.

If you haven’t worked in a lot of different places, or are new to your career, you may not be aware of how distinct this particular culture is or how ingrained it is. Like attracts like, and people who hire will continue hiring people like themselves, so it will get worse, not better. Therefore there’s little hope you’ll get a better manager when this one leaves. Understand that you aren’t going to be changing it all by yourself. Your choices are to leave, or to get support and build your lifeskills to deal with situation. However, understand it’s going to prevail, and will impact your life negatively. Consider carefully what you’re getting out of it that could possibly make up for that.

2.EVERYTHING ELSE IS EXCELLENT

I’ve only heard this comment from someone relatively new to a job. You can count on fact that after a certain point of time, negatives will outweigh positives, but here’s way to handle that.

“I love my job,” my client Dominica told me. “It has sort of challenge and variety I love. I’ve never had such latitude. It’s a place where I can gain skills I need to move to next level. I get to speak to civic groups a couple of times every week, and there’s even live TV and radio. Where else could I get this? The only thing wrong is Harry and his nit-picking, micro-managing. He’s only thing that holds me back.” She went on to glow about working conditions, good equipment, and benefits.

If it’s a position that will move your career path forward and you’re acquiring excellent skills, what should you do? Consider it a temporary position, get skills you need, see point 6, and be looking all time for your next career move. Chances are you will get enough good out of situation to balance negatives.

Do not get lulled into staying there. A bad manager will ultimately cause more harm than good.

3.YOUR OUTLOOK

Your attitude, optimism and mindfulness are crucial. You must be clear about what’s going on. You must be able to see what manager is feeding into equation so you can keep it separate.