I Hope
“I hope they win.”
“I hope I get home in time.”
“I hope they accept my proposal.”
Hope. The word is frequently thrown about with little thought, most often in circumstances with a tinge of powerlessness; situations that are “out of our control.” I hope it doesn’t rain. Or I hope the Detroit Red Wings make the playoffs this year. In both of those cases, we have no influence on the outcome (unless you’re a defenseman for the Red Wings, which, if that is the case, why are you reading this? Get to practice!)
There is a practical application of the hope sentiment, however. Hope can be a powerful catalyst. Hope Theory states that hope can enable outcomes when three elements are present:
Goals: A desired future state.
Pathway: Seeing paths to your goals.
Willpower: A belief in your agency and ability to succeed.
This model makes sense when considering the “hopefulness” we have as we set goals. Our excitement and conviction are based on Hope’s first element: stating an ideal future state. But without attention to the other two elements—constructing a path and walking it—hope fades (as does goal success). How do you complete the final two pieces?
Pathway: Seeing a path often requires seeing progress. Motivation, after all, begins after we start. To see the path, then, we must first start down a path. So, start. Just take one small step on the path. By chunking your goal into smaller pieces, you’ll illustrate progress and illuminate the rest of the path.
Willpower: When others believe in our potential, they give us power. To develop willpower, build an accountability group of credible believers—people you trust who can judge you fairly and add support. These people will give you the confidence (belief) that you can succeed. There is also (will)power in proving wrong those who do NOT believe in you. This works best if those people are not credible or don’t know you well—the “I’ll show them” approach.
Hope. Where there is a future, a plan, and our willpower, there is hope. It just takes intention to deliver its promise. I hope the Red Wings are listening.
Notes:
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