Hope is not a Strategy (but it can help!)
As people who understand change and change management, we will be among the first to tell you that hope is not a strategy. And, we will also tell you that hope is an important aspect to any desired change. If all you have is hope-- “I hope my foot will stop hurting”, “I hope I can stick to this diet”, “I hope I get the job”, “I hope our business will be profitable”--you will likely be waiting a long and frustrating time for your hopeful result. It is important to set yourself up intentionally for success with goals, plans, habits, routines, support and more; and it is important to infuse and maintain hope.
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Now you might be saying, “Wait a minute--you just said we need more than hope to make meaningful and lasting change--why should I waste my time with hope?”. Well, what we are really saying is that strategy and hope are both important to successful change initiatives.
Hope can act as a catalyst for meeting desired goals:
Hope gives us something to hold onto: When things seem overwhelming or difficult, hope can provide a bit of a guardrail to grasp. It helps illuminate that light at the end of the tunnel, especially when current circumstances throw us off course.
Hope keeps us looking/moving ahead: Not only can hope give us something to hold onto in the current moment, it can also help provide the motivation or momentum for us to propel ourselves forward.
Hope allows us to stay positive: When we channel hope, it’s hard to remain discouraged. That little flicker of possibility and desire can impact our mood and allow us to see what can be instead of what can’t or isn’t.
Hope relies on faith: To have hope, you have to believe...primarily in yourself and your ability to reach your desired goals. For some, hope comes in the added belief in a “higher power” (however you might define that), which can boost energy and resolve.
photo credit: egidijus bielskis/unsplash
One important thing to beware of when actively infusing hope into your game plan--too much can minimize accountability and zap energy. The key is to find that harmonious sweet spot among belief (hope), the path (strategy) and accountability (work): when these are combined in the right blend, reaching desired outcomes becomes limitless.
So, while we strongly advocate concrete goals and plans, we also encourage a sprinkling of hope to help keep you inspired. As Casey Kasem, host of America’s Top 40 radio show from many years ago, used to say: “Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars”. And, if you want to wish upon one of those stars, well then go right ahead.
For information on goals, plans, and other strategies for change, see some of our previous blog posts. For information on how we can help you craft a change strategy full of hope, reach out to us at support@core-endeavors.com.
Amy and Holly
