need help: career move

[folledeschiele]

hello everyone,
if anyone can give me some insight into a career question, I'd be very grateful. I'm not longer happy in my full-time job: for one, it doesn't sit with me ethically, as it's in an industry I don't feel aligns with my values. Two, I'm undervalued and overworked at this job, and despite having a great boss, she has no decision making powers and her higher ups refuse to promote me, despite the fact that I actually have a great deal of responsibility. I really feel it's time to leave. Here are the readings I drew:

--Is it time to leave this job? >> 21 (Cutting Through) to 33 (Retreat). I took this as a strong 'yes'.

--If I attempt to go freelance, will I be able to make it work? (I'm concerned because of the economic crisis). >> Drew 53 unchanging, then 8 (Holding Together), changing line 5, to hexagram 2 (The Receptive).

--If I instead attempt to find another full-time job, am I likely to find something worth leaving my current job for, that will really be aligned with what I want to do? >> drew 16 unchanging (Enthusiasm).

I really don't know how to interpret these results. My heart keeps telling me to give freelance a go as I already have a gig that pays well and gives me a lot of creative freedom, and I could make a lot more of it. But I'm afraid of doing this with all the economic turmoil...I've gotten used to a certain level of financial security...

Many thanks for any insight.

[willowfox]

--Is it time to leave this job? >> 21.1,3,5 to 33

No, you need to stay where you are for the time being! Hex 33 is just advising you to back off the idea of leaving prematurely.

--If I attempt to go freelance, will I be able to make it work? >> Drew 53 unchanging, then 8.5, to 2

Yes, but Hex 53 shows gradual progress, so it would be a while before you hit the jackpot. And 8.5 also shows success but indicates a need to cooperate with someone else in your quest to go freelance.

--If I instead attempt to find another full-time job, am I likely to find something worth leaving my current job for, that will really be aligned with what I want to do? >> drew 16

This hex does not promise ultimate success but does advise you to give a search a real good try and to use all your friends and contacts to help you. So, give it a try while you remain in your current job, as it will probably take a good while before you find anything suitable.

[folledeschiele]

thank you willowfox. you have provided some crucial advice in the past year that was so contrary to my initial reflexes/assumptions, but helped pull me through some crises. I appreciate this as it has allowed me to stand back and really reflect, rather than just repeat the same habits.

[ginnie]

Folledeschiele, I agree with Willowfox.

You mentioned ethical differences as being one reason you feel you must leave. The Yi in line 21.3 mentions that you taste "poison," and that corresponds with your feeling that you are connected with people whose values do not sit well with you. But various translations point out that this is not enough poison to do a human being harm. In other words, it would be best if you could put everything back into perspective. In the situation you are referring to, there is some trouble, but no real harm.

Stop looking for wrongdoing on the part of others, and be sure to take care of your own serious responsibilities. You are getting too caught up emotionally in the office situation, but at any time you can withdraw mentally and emotionally by simply distancing yourself from the people involved.

The picture of hexagram 33 -- the heavens retreating upward above a high mountain -- is the way to do that. When you find yourself in unpleasant circumstances or with people you don't care for, you can always retreat upwards within your own mind, maintaining a severe exterior that does not invite others to become familiar with you. If things get too embroiled, perhaps you could plan a few days or a brief vacation away from the office.

As Willowfox pointed out, your idea to become a freelancer would take a long time to accomplish. You would first have to learn how to be your own boss and how to generate enough income to live on. There's quite a learning curve connected with that. ;)

And lastly, regarding your getting hex 16 with no moving lines about doing a search for another job right now, that to me is a generally positive response, but with a question attached to it about whether or not you are really ready for that right now. The better bet might be to take a nice vacation, if you'd like, just to get away from it all.