High Hopes: Thinking Above the Line
As a career coach, I always write about building good habits and working to correct bad habits. I am not talking about guilty pleasures like adding some cocoa to your coffee, or the irresistible chocolate covered pretzels. I suspect you know the ones I am referring to, those harmful habits that cost you a lot of energy and effort and keep you from performing at your best. One I am guilty of and trying to ditch is looking down at my feet when running. I know I need to keep my chin up and my eyes focused straight ahead, and yet all too often my shoes come into my field of vision, which means I am looking in the wrong direction. Maintaining a forward gaze focusing on the road ahead is important to keep awareness of what is happening and seeing whatever is coming. It also helps propel the body forward more efficiently. Runners run with their heads held high. This is also true in life, in one’s career, and when working toward goals: stay focused, keep your head on straight propelling yourself to where you want to go, aligned with your vision. Train yourself to look toward the horizon and beyond. Having a vision means looking ahead with high hopes, imagination, and wisdom. To succeed, always be looking ahead, holding the vision and trusting the process.
It is not easy to achieve goals. Even meaningful goals can leave you feeling exhausted and frustrated at times. To make progress, practice hopeful thinking, also known as above the line thinking. Hopeful thinkers achieve goals by taking intentional action. It’s about having a clear vision and figuring out how to make it happen by responding effectively to challenges. And yet, the natural inclination might be below the line thinking. When facing uncomfortable situations, it is easy to resort to either blame or helplessness. It is a state of mind leading people to view the world in a limiting way seeing only the obstacles rather than recognizing the possibilities to address and solve the problems. Having high hopes means taking ownership, accepting responsibility, and being accountable for decisions, actions, and results. At the core, it is a deep belief that you have what it takes to focus forward, navigate challenges, and make progress, often at breakneck pace.
This is also known as the Oz Principle, getting results through personal accountability. In its essence the story teaches us the essentials of hopeful thinking: see it, solve it, do it. The Scarecrow, Tinman, and Cowardly Lion offer insights into the three things needed to implement solutions: a brain, a heart, and courage. A brain to take in the relevant factors and see multiple perspectives. A heart to show care and concern for self and others in order to build meaningful connections. And courage to try new things and continue despite obstacles and failures. Success is what you make it to be. How you perceive it makes all the difference. It means learning to look for the possibilities in bad situations and turning negatives into insights. You will inevitably encounter rough patches when the setbacks pile up and you feel discouraged, your hopes and dreams dashed. When you feel overwhelmed and a bit lost remind yourself that this is a journey and an adventure. You are not really lost. You are just searching and haven’t found a clear path, yet.
There is a positive aspect to feeling lost. It can serve as a catalyst for positive change. It can become the driving force that helps you spot hidden opportunities. That requires a willingness to experiment, to ask the important questions to understand & tackle the right issues of what is not working and where you get stuck. When you reframe “being lost” into “going exploring” you can discover new insights and paths you may have never discovered otherwise. A good strategy is to stay grounded with two feet on the ground but maintain your gaze forward keeping your spirit high and supercharging your optimism for the challenges ahead. Ultimately, what other way is there to reach your highest aspirations without hope?
You have the freedom to choose how you give meaning to each day. And yet, some days it’s easy to get lost in the physical, or metaphorical forest. As scary as the experience of feeling lost is, it can be empowering to figure out new ways to be and to thrive. Sometimes a wrong turn, or an unexpected path, even if they don’t get you to the right place, can be an experience worth having leading to massive learning and growth. But only if you allow yourself to re-connect with your inner strength and cultivate an awakened sense of self-reliance, resourcefulness, and resilience. And as you try to figure out the way forward, you may as well enjoy the scenery as you go. Challenges ignite change. Rising up to a challenge is the driving force behind positive outcomes. As hard as change can be, it provides the opportunity to get to the other side stronger. And there is always HOPE. Be proactive when transitioning from feeling lost and powerless to becoming empowered. Here’s how:
Hone in on what you are feeling. Name your losses (real or perceived.)
Own your power. Take inventory of your strengths & ignite your superpower.
Proactively look for solutions, and create a list of simple acts of moving forward.
Embrace the discomfort & use it as fuel for your new adventure living through uncertainty.
Commit to doing one new thing a day to cultivate a sense of power and accomplishment. Focus your energy on building the new and making good habits stick.