If you're like me, the first thing you think of when you visualize a princess is the typical Disney variety. Or, if you're of a certain generation, you might take a somber moment to remember the life and tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Whatever comes to mind, my guess is that the last thing on your list would be the princess who is also an accomplished academic, noted for her work on human behavior, more specifically how people think about their future. Princess Gabriele Elisabeth Aloisia Notgera Prinzessin zu Oettingen-Oettingen und Oettingen-Spielberg is a professor of psychology at NYU. Most likely she goes by Dr. Oettingen to her colleagues. Gabriele to her friends I hope. I like to imagine she is "Gabby" to her husband, Dr. Peter Gollwitzer, another NYU professor that specializes how goals and plans are realized and how human behavior can affect the ultimate outcome of success (or not). I doubt the marriage makes him a prince, however. Maybe a Duke. Or maybe no title at all, because they live and work in the U.S. I wonder if they were writing a research paper together, bumped elbows, and fell in love. Anyway I digress.
Coincidentally, digressing from the point is the point. Oettingen and Gollwitzer work collaboratively in the field of study known colloquially as the Intention-Action Gap. Whether your goal is to lose weight, stop smoking, exercise more, be more diligent about recycling, or a thousand other goals, the Intention-Action Gap represents the difference between your intentions and the actual actions you take to achieve the goal. In the context of job searches, it refers to the disparity between the intent around finding a new job that aligns with your skills and preferences and what you actually do (the steps you take or fail to take to make that intention a reality).
Many individuals have clear intentions of finding a better job, advancing in their career, or making a job change for various reasons. The barriers and challenges that prevent them from translating these intentions into meaningful actions fall into a few categories:
Procrastination: People might delay taking action on their job search due to a variety of reasons, including fear of rejection, lack of confidence, or a perception that job searching is a time-consuming task.
Comfort Zone: Individuals may remain in their current job even if they have the intention to move on, simply because they are comfortable or accustomed to their current role and environment.
Lack of Clarity: Sometimes, people may have a vague idea of what they want in a new job, which can lead to indecisiveness and uncertainty. This lack of clarity can make it difficult to take concrete steps.
External Factors: Economic conditions, job market trends, and personal circumstances can impact someone's ability to take action on their job search. A poor job market or personal responsibilities can deter individuals from pursuing new opportunities.
Overwhelmed: The job search process can be overwhelming with tasks such as crafting resumes, writing cover letters, networking, and attending interviews. This can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed, causing individuals to procrastinate or avoid the process altogether.
Perceived Barriers: People may perceive barriers such as lack of qualifications, experience, or connections, which can discourage them from even attempting to pursue certain job opportunities.
To bridge the intention-action gap in the context of job searches, there are several steps that the job seeker can take to bridge the gap:
Set Clear Goals: Clearly define what you want in your next job, including the role, location, and other relevant factors.
Break Tasks Down: Divide the job search process into smaller, manageable tasks, such as updating your resume, researching companies, and networking.
Create a Schedule: Allocate specific time each day or week for job search activities. This helps prevent procrastination and keeps you on track.
Seek Support: Engage with mentors, career coaches, friends, or support groups that can provide guidance, advice, and motivation.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate the small achievements you make during your job search journey. This can boost your confidence and motivation.
Address Psychological Barriers: If fear of rejection or lack of confidence is holding you back, consider working on these psychological barriers through self-reflection, coaching, or self-improvement activities.
Adapt and Persist: Be flexible in your approach and willing to adapt to changing circumstances. Persistence is key in overcoming challenges and landing the job you desire.
To put some of this in practice, Oettinger and Gollwitzer have developed a strategy similar (and I believe more elegant) than the familiar SMART goal system. Dr. Oettingen champions the WOOP method (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan), which can be used in tandem with Gollwitzer's If-Then strategy for behavioral change. Check out the WOOP website. There's even an iPhone app to keep you on track.
The big takeaway here is the thing we already know--that wishing for a thing does not make it so. It's all about closing the Intention-Action gap. For those of us who ride motorcycles, the Oettingen/Gollwitzer method can be reduced to its essence: plan the ride, ride the plan.
Here's to wishing Drs. Oettingen and Gollwitzer a happily ever after.