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Hope is not wishful thinking. It is a state of being and a skill that proves to help people achieve success in life.
Wishful thinking, on the other hand, is like having dreams in the sky without a ladder to climb, having a destination without a map, or trying to fly a jet-powered airplane without instructions. It sounds nice, but is impossible to achieve. You don’t have what you need to make it happen!
What real hope is
Real hope is actionable, practical and realistic. Better yet, it’s achievable and can be learned.
A popular approach is Hope theory. This concept is used by colleges to study how hope affects students’ academic performance. Researchers found that students with high hopes get better grades and are more likely to graduate than students with lower hopes.
Hope can be broken down into two components:
- Paths – The ‘how’ of hope. This is where people create and create plans to achieve their goals.
- Desk – The ‘I can’ of hope. This is the belief that the person can achieve his goals.
Does hope really work?
According to Webster’s Dictionary, hope as a noun is defined as: “Desire accompanied by expectation or belief in fulfillment.”
As humans, we are programmed to desire fulfillment. We have the ability to imagine it and, through hope, make it reality.
My experience with hope
For 13 years I was a hopeless person. During my time working at a luxury hotel as a front desk clerk making $11.42 an hour, I felt the pang of hopelessness the most.
The regret of feeling like my time was being stolen from me lingered every time I clocked in. Finally I decided to do something about it.
I gave myself permission to hope for something better. I started creating pathways to success and regained agency by learning from self-help books and seeking mentorship.
Because I took action toward something I desired, I now feel more hope and joy than I ever felt hopelessness. Hope has changed me.
Hope actually improves your life
Wishful thinking doesn’t work, and false hope isn’t effective either. However, true hope is directly linked to success in all areas of life.
Research shows that hopeful people tend to:
- Demonstrate better problem-solving skills
- Create healthier relationships
- Maintain stronger motivation to achieve goals
- Demonstrate a better work ethic
- Have a positive outlook on life
These benefits can impact work life, family life, habit building, mental health, physical health and spiritual practice. Imagine how much better your life could be by applying real hope to all these areas.
How to develop the skill of hoping
As acclaimed French writer Jean Giono wrote The man who planted trees:
“There are also times in life when a person must rush in search of hope.”
If you are in one of those moments, here are some ways to develop the skill of hoping:
1. Dream again
To cultivate hope, you must believe in its possibility. Start by:
- Think about what you are passionate about, what your values are and what you want to achieve.
- Write down your dreams, share them with someone who encourages you or say them out loud.
- Create a vision board to make your dreams more tangible.
Dreams are the basis of hope; they give you something meaningful to strive for.
2. Create an environment of hope
- Setting goals: Write down your goals and make a plan to achieve them.
- Visualize success: Use inspirational quotes, photos, or tools like dumbbells or canvasses to remind yourself of your goals.
- Build a resource library: Collect books, eBooks, or audiobooks about hope and success to inspire you.
An environment that fosters hope keeps you motivated, resilient and focused.
3. Take on the challenges
Don’t avoid challenges; overcoming them builds trust. Participating in challenging activities, such as strategy games, can improve your problem-solving skills and strengthen hope.
4. Commit to wisdom
Seek wisdom from those who have achieved what you aspire to. Whether it’s through books, blogs or social media platforms, learn from their journeys. Wisdom is the basis for real, useful hope.
5. Notice small victories
Reflecting on past victories can fuel your hopes for the future. Ask yourself:
- What challenges have I already overcome?
- How did I feel when I succeeded?
By remembering those feelings of happiness, relief, or satisfaction, your brain will naturally adopt a more hopeful mindset.
Conclusion
Hope is more than wishful thinking; it is a powerful skill that can transform your life. By dreaming again, creating an environment of hope, taking on challenges, seeking wisdom, and celebrating small victories, you can develop the true hope necessary for success in all aspects of life.
Let hope lead you to a better, fulfilling future.