Saying no to a job - first 48 unchanging, then 21.1.6 >16

[JoeCampbell]

Dear Everyone
I am completely flummoxed by this - and that's despite having consulted Wing, Karcher and The Gnostic Book of Changes (this last one has helped me immeasurably otherwise). Problem is that I have been offered a piece of work that I feel obliged to say yes to, not least because to say no at this stage would be to damage the relationship with the client.

But I am seriously questioning my competency to complete the job (it's a training assignment). Bottom line, I'll be delivering in my second language to an audience who speak a third albeit not totally dissimilar language! Unbelievable I know. And I fear the outcome.

So I asked "What about saying no to this job?" Answer 48 unchanging - bucket nearly reaches the water, breaks, foreboding...is this "you are close to the deadline and to say no would be bad"? I simply don't get it so I asked again, phrasing it slightly differently and this time involving the supplier I would actually be contracting for:
"What will happen if I say to P that I cannot do the job in city T?" - this time I get 21.1.6 > 16
I read this as "you are facing a tough obstacle, gnaw your way through it (take the job?) - get the message or suffer the consequences".

Then comes 21.1 - some kind of punishment but only a small one to prevent me making similar mistakes?

and 21.6 -deaf to counsel, must suffer the consequences of your incomprehension??
Where I am lost is whether Yi is saying knuckle down, do your best and see what happens, or get out of this obligation and pay the price - possibly a large one (losing the client).

Any clarity would be very much appreciated
Many thanks

M

 

[juaneros]

Hi M.

Well for the first question the I Ching might be telling you with 48 that the job is sort of a source, which is what a well would be, you either draw from it or not, or the jug breaks meaning you totally miss the opportunity or there's no turning back once you say no.

For the second answer, if there are two yang lines I just focus on the highest one... 21.6, I think it might be telling you that it already gave you an answer and you are not listening, hehe. You're ears are covered with that wooden collar, and your ears are not there to listen to what it told you before. The resulting hexagram can mean happiness/preparation/enthusiasm also I heard it as being hesitant, which can probably describe what you are feeling at the moment.

You might try to ask how compatible is the job being offered with you. Maybe that can help you out a bit more before you decide. Good luck with it!

Juan

 

[JoeCampbell]

Thank you Juan, I appreciate your input.
The job would be a sort of source and yes, I may lose an opportunity for further business with the client if I turn it down.....but....the stress of trying to convince myself that I can do it is very tough.
I took your advice and asked how compatible the job is with me and got 29.3.6 to 57 which I read as:
Danger - stop what you are doing and wait it out, leading to, trapped in some way (limiting beliefs holding you from the work)....
57 is described as a period of vacillation (oh, yes!) and indecisiveness...and a kind of self correction.

So my interpretation becomes, stop worrying, let it sink in and wait for a deeper answer (probably "Don't do this job!" ) then LEARN from this and don't take anymore jobs that you don't feel 100% congruent with.

make sense to anyone?
Thanks

 

[juaneros]

You're welcome! Yeah, 29.3.6 doesn't seem to be very compatible for a job, hehe. I at times have trouble with 57... but it can mean penetrating/persuading/gentleness. Being flexible also, maybe with the client having to tell them 'no'. I think it makes sense overall

 

[JoeCampbell]

A quick update - I said no, gently, and why. The client came back and asked me for help in finding a solution which I have now done to everyone's satisfaction and no damaged relationships.
Best of all, I held on to my integrity and didn't take the job out of some misplaced sense of duty!

M