Skillful Stripping

[willow]

I recently failed to get a promotion at work. I put a lot of emotion, energy, and a public face into the process. Reviewing the process, I find that there are some genuine shortcomings I want to work on. I also realized that the "path" related to this promotion isn't quite the right one for my particular strengths and interests.

The right path for me doesn't quite exist within the organization. So now it comes time to put the best face on situation, figure out what I want to do differently, and see what I can do to create the more appropriate path.

Soul searching, I realize that the shortcomings and the nonexistence of the appropriate path are related. From the inside out, my point of view: there's a "What's the use?" factor. Why work harder at the wrong thing? For that matter, why work hard at the right thing if it's not valued or understood? From the outside in, from the organization's point of view: there's a "Why should we extend ourselves for this person?" factor. Someone who feels familar and inspires confidence with the basics receives more latitude. Nixon can go to China.

Somewheres, a way back, the pattern started that led to this point. There is a sabotaging underlying story at work, to which I'm unwittingly committed. But identifying the story isn't enough. Before my public response to the setback, there is a private orientation and release that needs to take place.

I ask myself, "How can I release myself from the (my name for the self-sabotaging story) vow?"

I consult. The answer is 49 => 37 (4,6). Revolution/molting/stripping to the family.

Any thoughts?

 

[mudpie]

I love the whole process you are describing and appreciate your openness in sharing it here.

My gosh, the Yi is certainly supportive of your aim. I am not sure it answers "HOW" but maybe it doesnt need to tell you how. Maybe you are already releasing, the inner govt is changing seats; now you need to put it down in writing, date it, seal.

 

[willow]

What a great image. Thanks for that!

 

[miakoda]

Willowfox:

The "how" may be imbedded in 49.6:

When the time changes, the realizing person changes with it like a leopard, moving with grace, elegance and power. Ordinary people simly change their face. Do not discipline people of set out on an expedition. If you remain where you are while you undergo this change, the way will be open. You will gather others around you.

Best,

Miakoda

 

[willow]

Thank you Miakoda. To be clear, I'm not willowfox, just willow, just the tree

My thinking is centering on that line too. To me, it's saying, "What is the change that is naturally coming now (like a molt, like a leopard growing up)? Beware of the change that you are planning to "stage" now. Since the context of my question is how do I make my public response to this setback, that is a very pertinant distinction. And it also suggests that the way to release the vow is not through releasing its content, but in letting its time cycle come to an end.

 

[miakoda]

Willow:

You are doing a good job of emodying grace and elegance. Sorry about the name confusion...

Miakoda

 

[bruce_g]

Hi, Willow. It's great to hear from you again. Think I understand the question, but nothing comes to me about it, other than the obviousness of outgrowing the skin you've been in. This could be positionally with the company, but given how you phrased your question, the government in question is probably your own government and your own family, which undergoes a change.

Self sabotage is a tricky little devil to ferret out. Know what my gut says? (and this comes mostly from our correspondence from years ago) It says that that this work situation is not self sabotage as much as it is outgrowing your old view of fitting into the world - the job being an example of you in this world.

You know, another thing: some vows can never be undone. I believe (and it's only a belief) that certain people make vows before they are born, and then at some point those vows are recognized and affirmed during their life, and no matter how hard or many times they try, they can not escape the vow they've taken. Such a vow becomes an inner law, which can not be broken without self violation.

Given what little I know about it, perhaps you should be reconsidering if this vow is what needs to be changed, rather than a reborn view of how the vow can work for you in your current situation. Things like position, income and status are relative, but inner laws are not. Given the choice, one is better off obeying their inner law.

Wishing you the best.

 

[willow]

Thanks Bruce. Good to see you (still) here! Excellent points for me to consider. More later.

 

[RindaR]

Willow-

Very good to hear your voice again...

If we see 37 as the background of your query, we are looking at ways people fit together in a healthy robust way to accomplish a common goal, survival, I think. I'm wondering if part of what needs to be stripped away is a mis-perception of others in the organization about your motivation in going for the promotion.

Perhaps some well-placed questions pointed toward ways in which your skills and gifts might be used to further the goals of the organization as part of either a formal or informal debriefing might help, since the position in question was not seen to be the right fit?

Perhaps there's a way in which another position could be tailored to your strengths, if that could be seen as ultimately beneficial to the organization? So much of this depends on the culture of the organization itself, it's flexibility, it's size, it's corporate self-perception....

Rinda

 

[willow]

My oh my do I have stories to tell...

Just came by for a visit and I had a private message asking how all this turned out. Well, I'm right now in the thick of the next phase, and it was ABSOLUTELY TIMELY to be reminded of what I was thinking and processing back then.

Can't stay for long at the moment, but will be checking in over the next few days. What I will say is that I made a couple of major decisions over the last week and I just now did a sort of "here we go..." reading: inviting blessings and warnings for the path I've chosen. What did I get? 56:3,4,5,6=>8. My oh my! Burn my ships so I won't arrive late, heh!

 

[rodaki]

lot's of warnings there . .
56 is short-tempered and restless
it can bring the bird home
but has to look at the underlying
where is rest for it?
still lookin . .

hi willow

rodaki