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What a loaded sentence - hope is not a method. Well, I guess I could stretch things a bit to say that aligning the mind is part of aligning for success and therefore hope can be a method. Even so, the spirit of this sentence is that hope ALONE does not make things happen.
If I had a penny for every time I saw managers hoping things will change when nothing should lead them to believe it will change, I would be writing this post from my seaside home in Monaco.
Are you relying on hope too much instead of engaging in focused action?
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So many times I've had to stop and ask myself when a situation was making me crazy, and it or a situation so similar as to be practically identical, "What am I doing to change this?"
Once upon a time it was nothing. Now, even if my response doesn't work to affect the change I want (or is it effect? Ugh, gotta find that grammar girl podcast now) I've narrowed down my options next time it rolls around to make me crazy, I'll know what not to do.
That whole "Maybe this time it'll be different thing" is such a big waste of time, and I did it so badly at first... So... how is Monaco this time of year?
Posted by: Rich G. | January 07, 2007 at 11:06 PM
Hope is an important and positive force, but it can also be used as permission to wait to act. It's so easy to fall into hopeful thinking.
Ahhh, to live by the sea, it is always nice even as storms come across.
Posted by: Lisa Haneberg | January 08, 2007 at 12:29 AM
Lisa,
I was drawn to your post today for two reasons:
1. "Hope" is certainly something to ponder
http://www.allthingsworkplace.com/2007/01/it_all_starts_w.html
2. Am headed to Monaco and Nice this weekend for a week of speaking and workshops. Shall I look for some real estate for you while there?
All the best,
Steve
Posted by: Steve Roeler | January 08, 2007 at 10:06 AM
Steve - you lucky dog. I don't require a lot of space, but I must have a view of the sea.
Your post is interesting - I agree that instilling hope int he workplace is critical. I have one client who is having a tough time with this - their business has been in trouble for a long time and they have experienced several layoffs. They are trying to pull things right around and have some sound strategy, but not everyone has the energy or belief that it can be done.
Posted by: Lisa Haneberg | January 08, 2007 at 10:13 AM
It's not just hope. It's all those things that are supposed to magically change your life. Postive Mental Attitude comes to mind. So do all those nifty New Age tools like affirmations.
All those things are powerful and important, but not as a substitute for action. The action does not have to be majestic in scope. Little steps, small wins, that move you forward will do the trick. You just need to be doing them (or several of them) every day.
Posted by: Wally Bock | January 08, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Wally - agreed. I love the power of little steps taken often.
Posted by: Lisa Haneberg | January 08, 2007 at 09:06 PM