[Flash] Hope Beats Optimism

I learned early that these were coveted qualities. Not surprisingly, I’ve been enthusiastic and optimistic my entire life.

As psychologist Charles Carver describes my fellow optimists and me, we expect good things will happen in the future.

But while optimism yields positivity, hope yields power.

According to author Charles R. Snyder (The Psychology of Hope), hope is:

• the tendency to see desired goals as possible
• the belief that we have the ability to achieve the goals
• the focus on creating pathways to achieve those goals

In other words, hope ignites plans and actions to achieve our desires.

Yikes. Suddenly, optimism feels rather passive, like an entitled bystander. And hope feels exceptionally active, like an engaged player!

When I reflect on past goals I’ve accomplished, hope beats optimism every time:

• It wasn’t optimism that made me study all night for the CPA and Bar exams. It was hope.
• It wasn’t optimism that made me win each of my jobs and career changes. It was hope.
• It wasn’t optimism that made me cycle in 20 degrees training for my cross-country bike ride. It was hope.

When we hope, we perceive possibility, even through adversity and uncertainty. And when we perceive possibility, we persist. Persistence demands action, not positivity.

Want to be more resilient? Start with hope.
Want to be a better boss? Start with hope.
Want to be a meaningful mentor and a magnificent mentee? Start with hope.

While positivity is undoubtedly preferred over its opposite, it’s hope that breeds action, progress, and growth. 

There’s no need to abandon our optimism and enthusiasm provided we intentionally lean into hope when we want to accomplish anything significant in our life.

Start with hope!

© 2021. Ann Tardy and Mentor Lead. www.mentorlead.com | www.anntardy.com