I have spent an incredible amount of effort and money retraining to be a teacher.
But after two and a half years I'm completely burnt out, I used to be an energetic healthy person and I'm a shadow of my former self beset my ill-health, despite having done everything in my power to be efficient on the job, re-shaping ancient systems that were not working and also looking after my health as much as I could. I'm a very competent, highly-educated, motivated and efficient person.. but I'm being treated like a doormat (as was my predecessor) (and her predecessor).

I've come to the conclusion that the education system is completely toxic with no care for either the health of students or teachers. Bad management is the norm, with older staff knowing how to work the system to get the younger staff to shoulder the greater burden. It kills me to give up on a path I feel passionate about and the potential for financial security - but the choice appears to be a stark and simple one - give up - or reconcile myself to constant illness. I've been fighting very clearly and openly to be treated fairly, but despite that fact I have a huge workload and my colleague does nothing..

So I consulted Yi

Should I give up my job? 51.1.4 to 2 shock to earth

If I do, what then is the next step? 13.4 to 37. Fellowship-the clan

Any insight you can give me most appreciated.

I'm going to hazard a guess..as I know that's the best way to develop understanding..

51.1.4 to 2 Radical change may not be the best approach..but rather ride out the crisis with awareness and see what unfolds (as in earth..be receptive)?

My gut says.. walk out this week!
My head says.. Don't jeopardise future pay and also, get the benefit of the work I have done by completing my major tasks.

Hello do not leave your job. It's to your best interests to be passive and follow along. Listen to your inner voice and the guidance of an experienced leader or someone with the skills to help you. You lost your way but will get back on the right track. Forget what went on in the past or in NE. The area of activity or literally the SW is where you should focus your energy now. There you find a very profitable partnership an equal partnership. Quietly go about your business and all will end well. You are in the middle of a project or stuck in one place but don't walk out. This is a time where you should allow someone to lead you in the right direction. Good luck!

Hi! Thank-you for your reply.
However this is rather serious, and being too passive has caused the problem.

I kept thinking if I worked really really hard it would get better, but I'm just being taken advantage of. Today I rang a union rep and they gave me advice, I'm also going to meet my doctor. I can not quietly go about my business as my role is a very public one, I have deadlines and an unrealistic workload. If I try to endure more, I will have to leave, I need support and radical change of the job. Will that happen?

The 'experienced leader' my manager, is the one who is not listening to my cry for help and keeps adding to my workload.

Any other interpretations of this?

Hello, I don't know if this helps but it shows that your role is secondary and a supportive one. You are not in charge to make any changes. Your manager seems to be looking to you for support.

Try asking like this:

What do I stand to gain if I leave my present job?
What do I stand to lose if I leave my present job?
What should I do about the problems I'm having with _____?

If I do, what then is the next step? 13.4 to 37.

This query is too general. You need specific advise. It's a serious decision.

But this is the general atmosphere. Misunderstandings have separated you from your colleagues. You are looked upon as being too defensive. In the end all concerned will come to their senses and realize that fighting about this will achieve nothing. That's when the situation will start to improve.

The I Ching with Hexagram 37 is advising you to evaluate your priorities. Where do you belong? You need to join a framework that you support and that supports you. A family environment of sorts. A woman's persistence brings rewards.

Thankyou cornucopia. And many thanks for taking the time to add your insight.

I think you are right I've become defensive..mostly through exasperation -my very clever colleague (who should share some of my workload) paints herself as an ethereal saintly being who is too gentle and sensitive to cope with a heavy workload and has manipulated the roles so she does nothing ..and I do it all! It's incredibly unfair. I feel very much used and abused. No-one can seem to see what's happening (or they just can't be bothered to deal with it) and no changes have made despite repeated reasonable requests.

What do I stand to gain if I leave my current job?
21 biting through

What do I stand to lose if I leave my current job?
58.2.3 to 49
Opening/joy to radical change

What should I do about the problems I'm having with this job?
64.1.2.4 to 27
Not yet across to nourishment.

How do I deal with my job and my physical and emotional burnout?
33.3.4.5.6 to 2
Retreat to earth


To not just expect others to do the work for me.. Here is My attempt at interpreting:
Q1 I would gain justice? Bite through the knots of my pattern of being used in my inner self and outer experience.

Q2 what would I lose? Emm.. Looking for something 'out there'... That wherever I go I will have the same battles to fight?

Q3 .1 .2 don't take action, hang back .4 advance strongly and firmly..

Q4 Don't go to work, stay in bed, put my health before the job.


any corrections alternatives appreciated.

Anyone?

Any takers on this one? I know it's long, but just because I've tried to trash it out myself. Thanks!

Lodestar said:

What should I do about the problems I'm having with this job?
64.1.2.4 to 27
Not yet across to nourishment.

Click to expand...

There's a battle to be fought, if you're up to it. But not yet.

Lodestar said:

How do I deal with my job and my physical and emotional burnout?
33.3.4.5.6 to 2
Retreat to earth

Click to expand...

This is interesting, because hex 33 is interesting. 33.3 says you can't leave because you have 'servants and concubines,' or, in other words, people you're tied to. And you will find good fortune in serving them, even though your health is currently suffering.

As for the other lines in 33, they probably describe a progression of changing circumstances.

Hexagram 33, Retreat, does not always mean to escape in the sense of fleeing and leaving definitively. Sometimes it just means to go within oneself or take the whole thing more lightly, like taking a mini-vacation from seriousness, or just conceding that there is little you can do at the moment. Retreat at its root means to withdraw one's emotions from the situation, I believe.

But later, it looks like you will find openings to actually leave. And your reasons for leaving will grow firmer, so that it will not involve so much turmoil but will seem like the best thing to do for all concerned.

We retreat inwardly so as not to become angry, since anger binds us to the hated situation with bands of steel.

I hope this helps . . .

What do I stand to gain if I leave my current job?
21 biting through

You'll feel that you've done the just thing. By firmly biting through with determination and confronting the situation you'll feel justified about your actions. Hexagram 21 ia about coming clean and putting things right. Seeking justice. I think this is what you are concerned about than about leaving your job. The fact the you feel that you are being treated unfairly.

All the other castings advise you not to leave. Not a good idea to take it to such extremes.


What do I stand to lose if I leave my current job?
58.2.3 to 49

ok it shows here that you are doing this more out of ego to spite sb. You want to be true to yourself. You don't want to demean yourself with worthless activities and extra workload which you feel is a waste of time for you. By leaving your actions bring about radical changes in your career. You do need good references to pursue your ambitions as you well know.
Before makng such a move first ask yourself if:
There is a real need
The timing is right
You have the necessary support (good references, connetions etc.)
Your motives are unselfish
Only to avoid excesses

What should I do about the problems I'm having with this job?
64.1.2.4 to 27

Ok this is what you tell them.
64.1 You have limits and you know your limits. You want to avoid taking on extra workload until you know you can complete the work.

64.2 You don't like to be pressured, you are not good with meeting deadlines. You like to proceed slowly and carefully and do only what is necessary so as to avoid unpleasant surprises and mistakes.

64.4 Have you been there for 3 years? This is how long it will take you to achieve what you want. You need to persist in a correct way. With strength and determination you will be rewarded for your efforts.

Hexagram 27 is about satisfying your desires, positive feedback and healthy nourishment. It advises to communicate in a healthy manner with healthy people. It represents the words that go in and out of your mouth. Why are you complaining to someone who does not care about your wellbeing? Self respect is the key here. If your words do not nourish others? They do not care to listen to what comes out of your mouth? So why waste your time on people who do not care to hear what you have to say. Find people in your workplace to discuss your problems and issues who care about your nourishment. Good luck!

Thank you Ginnie - yes I've been working up a head of steam about this, but just to try motivate myself to take a stand. However this energy has started working against me as you say..the anger itself becoming a source of unhappiness. I am now focusing more on self-preservation. They don't care about my stress - so I need to withdraw all the giving I'm doing and the asking for change. Yes there are colleagues I feel really connected to and I adore my students.

Hi Cornucopia. Thank you so much.
I've not been there 3 years.. 8 months! I don't think I could take 3 years!
The only way I can survive is do what many teachers are forced to do, give the kids work to 'get on with' - give them no attention and sit at the computer doing all the extra stuff that is forced on us. Be less idealistic and survive within the system. I agree about timing, I will not leave in 'passion' but with a cool head and plan for the future.

Excellent advice re who I speak to. An age old problem of mine, rather deep seated. I speak to the wrong people and end up feeling I'm 'too sensitive' or just that I don't matter. It may be time to make an official complaint. However the key problem here is that the people who are not listening are the people who have the power to improve my situation - actually now I think of it - I could go sideways and talk to another senior manager.

So I am holding council with myself, going to the doctor, and from here on in, I will only do what I can.
If they give me too much, they will have to wait. This is very difficult for me as I'm a bit of a perfectionist. A big source of my stress problem has been doing everything well and on-time, but in a new job you feel vulnerable in the need to prove yourself.

So let's see what happens. Thankyou for helping me think through this. Much appreciated.