The phrase “Hope is Not a Strategy” occupies the cover of several different books written by sales and business experts. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani used the phrase in his 2008 Republican National convention speech: "…because 'change' is not a destination, just as 'hope' is not a strategy...”
Prior to that and since then, some rendition of this phrase has been coined by consultants. Believing it to be smart and witty, I’ve even said it myself. The point of the phrase is to suggest that you can’t wish things away or wish them into being. You cannot throw a penny into the well, cross your fingers, blow out a candle, and dream away a challenge, problem, or current reality. It takes more than that to create change.
Yet, here is the thing - “hope” is not the same thing as “wish”. If we look at the Indo-European root of the word and its Hebrew and Greek equivalents, we get a different perspective. The root of hope is the same root for “curve”, meaning to bend. Hope suggests a change in direction or going a different way. It’s a strong word that goes beyond wishful thinking; the act of hope is about taking action to create a new reality. It’s a generative word and it moves beyond probability, which is a form of positivity, and points to a direction of possibility. When we truly hope for something we can make change.
Prior to that and since then, some rendition of this phrase has been coined by consultants. Believing it to be smart and witty, I’ve even said it myself. The point of the phrase is to suggest that you can’t wish things away or wish them into being. You cannot throw a penny into the well, cross your fingers, blow out a candle, and dream away a challenge, problem, or current reality. It takes more than that to create change.
Yet, here is the thing - “hope” is not the same thing as “wish”. If we look at the Indo-European root of the word and its Hebrew and Greek equivalents, we get a different perspective. The root of hope is the same root for “curve”, meaning to bend. Hope suggests a change in direction or going a different way. It’s a strong word that goes beyond wishful thinking; the act of hope is about taking action to create a new reality. It’s a generative word and it moves beyond probability, which is a form of positivity, and points to a direction of possibility. When we truly hope for something we can make change.
Before you stop reading – try to pronounce this word: Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology (PNIE). Go ahead and Google it. It’s a real word that describes the unity of mental, neurological, hormonal and immunological functions. PNIE suggests that when we hope for something we can change the brain and the body because hope releases opiates into the brain. When a body changes, results change. In simple terms - it’s all connected! Hope is fundamental. It can create energy for action, influence others and their reactions, and inspire conviction and certainty. Hope is an awesome strategy!
Unfortunately, fear and anxiety eat hope like a snack. They are the very opposite and are often the culprits behind poor health, strained relationships and lack of success. So perhaps the sales and business experts have it mostly right. Hope is not a strategy when you are racked with fear and anxiety.
What is eating your hope? What if you allowed hope to thrive instead of letting fear and anxiety take over?
sources:
http://www.townsendletter.com/Jan_2003/psychoneuro0103.htm
http://hope-international.blogspot.com/2011/04/meaning-of-hope.html
Unfortunately, fear and anxiety eat hope like a snack. They are the very opposite and are often the culprits behind poor health, strained relationships and lack of success. So perhaps the sales and business experts have it mostly right. Hope is not a strategy when you are racked with fear and anxiety.
What is eating your hope? What if you allowed hope to thrive instead of letting fear and anxiety take over?
sources:
http://www.townsendletter.com/Jan_2003/psychoneuro0103.htm
http://hope-international.blogspot.com/2011/04/meaning-of-hope.html
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