You’ve probably seen it on a Lululemon bag or printed at the register:
“Hope is not a strategy.”
It’s catchy. It’s bold. And it’s half-true.
Because here’s the thing: hope isn’t fluff. It’s fuel. Positive psychology research shows that high-hope people don’t just dream, they plan. They believe there’s always a way forward (pathways) and they believe they can get there (agency). That combo makes them more resilient, creative, and unstoppable.
Why Hope Matters Personally and Professionally
Last year at this time, my world had been turned upside down and not in a good way. But even then, I can remember the moments I felt hope.
It was tiny at first, a flicker almost fragile. But that flicker grew. Slowly. Steadily. It gave me resilience. It reminded me I wasn’t done yet.
And it’s the same with my clients. When we wrap up a session and someone says, “I feel hopeful,” I know something monumental has shifted. Because hope isn’t just a feeling. It’s the starting line for real change.
The Tough-Love Truth
Here’s the reality: hope doesn’t work if it’s passive. You can’t just hope to get healthier, happier, or braver and expect magic.
Hope without action? That’s just wishing.
Hope plus action? That’s unstoppable.
Think of hope as the spark plug. Action is the engine. You need both to get anywhere.
So Next Time You See That Lululemon Bag…
Smile. Nod. Then add your own footnote:
Hope + Action = Strategy
Hope without Action = Stuck
And maybe, just maybe, remind yourself that hope isn’t weakness. It’s courage. It’s choosing to believe in possibility, even when life feels heavy.
Reflection prompt: Where in your life do you need more hope, and what’s one small action you can take this week to turn that hope into momentum?
With warmth,
Julie
