What’s the obstacle keeping you from your dream job?
Posted on July 31, 2014 by Jim Knickerbocker, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
The key to finding a more fulfilling job or career could involve an odd phrase called “Pain - Path - Place.”
Often a coaching client wants to identify “the” obstacle keeping him or her from a better job or career (or any other coaching goal). Actually there are THREE elements that have to be in place for you to move from where you are to where you want to be – this applies whether we’re talking about a dream job or new career or ANY change you’re trying to make in your life.
I call the three elements “PAIN, PATH and PLACE” (or the 3 P’s for short). The first element, PAIN, refers to the fact that to leave where you are now (current job or career, current relationship, whatever) you need to have enough dissatisfaction to overcome the natural “inertia” (tendency to stay put) that all of us have. This inertia could have many causes: having a busy life, too many distractions, limiting beliefs, limited physical energy, or maybe fears about what making a change could mean.
The next element, PATH, is all about how you’re going to get from where you are NOW to where you want to BE. Progress here usually requires figuring out the steps and making a plan. Sometimes you have the plan, but there are obstacles in the way. Or maybe it’s just taking too long and you have run out of energy or motivation.
The final element, PLACE, is being very clear about your destination. If your goal is really sharp, compelling and vivid, it will give you energy you’ll need to get to the goal. The opposite is true if the goal is missing or fuzzy – you’ll be confused, overwhelmed, or lack enthusiasm to move forward.
The challenge is that getting to your destination requires ALL THREE of the elements to be working. If the PAIN is missing you won’t get started. If the PLACE is missing you might get started but you’ll tend to wander aimlessly and not get anywhere. If the PATH is missing you may get started and even see the destination but will hit obstacles or run out of energy.
So when you are trying to figure out why you aren’t getting to a goal, ask yourself how you are doing with PAIN – PATH – PLACE. It might help you get back on track toward your dream job — or any important life goal!
