Building a Hopeful Mindset: Actionable Steps to Increase Hope
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I consider myself an optimist. I invariably see the glass half full and can find a positive aspect or silver lining in every situation. This is both nature and nurture.
But lately I have found myself asking “What is the point [of life]?” more frequently. This created a dissonance – how could I have such a “negative” view and still consider myself an optimist?
A few months ago, I read the book Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey where I learned that a person could be a hopeless optimist or a hopeful pessimist.
This knowledge was a godsend. It seemed like I was heading towards becoming a hopeless optimist. If I had continued asking myself “What is the point of all this?” I might have spiraled into hopelessness, significantly decreasing my motivation, and potentially leading to depression or anxiety.
I learned that hope is more important than optimism for well-being, happiness, and joy.
Optimism is the belief that things will turn out all right, while hope, without assuming positive results, is a conviction that one can act to make things better.
In the book, the authors propose the following three-step exercise to increase our levels of hope.
1) Imagine a Better Future
The first step is to imagine a better future for yourself and the details of what makes it so. You can start small by visualizing one of your goals.
For example, if your goal is having a decent emergency fund, you can visualize seeing your account balance online at the number you want. Imagine how it would make you feel. Think of a manageable emergency and having the money to pay for it without worrying about covering living expenses.
2) List the Elements That Would Have Improved
Next, list the specific elements that will have improved. This is important because hope involves action.
Using the emergency fund example, the list might include:
- I have a budget.
- I know my income and expenses.
- I reduced the number of happy hours I attend.
The items on your list may or may not be already implemented or in progress. It is important, though, that you be as specific as possible.
3) Envision Yourself Taking Action
In her book Atlas of the Heart, Brene Brown writes “Hope is made up of a trilogy of goals, pathways, and agency. We experience hope when
- We have the ability to set realistic goals (I know where I want to go).
- We are able to figure out how to achieve those goals.
- We have agency – we believe in ourselves (I can do this!).”
Using the example of building your emergency fund, you can visualize yourself creating a document or downloading an app to record your income and expenses. Imagine ordering a seltzer at the next happy hour instead of a cocktail and redirecting the cost difference into your savings account.
One More Thing Before You Go
Hope, rather than optimism, is the antidote to pessimism.
Hope can be practiced and developed. You can follow the three steps in this article as many times as you like until it starts to feel more natural.
Hope involves action. That was what was missing for me whenever I asked the question “What is the point?” I could passively belief that things would be better and that there is a silver lining, but I did not have agency in that vision.
Whenever I find myself asking “What is the point?” I now switch the question to “How can I create a point?” This immediately puts me in the driver’s seat. I can set a realistic goal, figure out how to achieve it, and believe I can achieve it.
What is your level of hope? Please, let us know in the comments.
As a leadership coach, I enable talent to achieve bold goals with high standards. My mission is to empower underrepresented women in the financial industry transition from mid to senior level leadership positions using mental fitness to achieve peak performance, peace of mind, and healthier relationships.