Hope: A Seasoned Entrepreneur's Nightmare

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Hope is good for breakfast, but bad for supper," often attributed to Sir Francis Bacon? Or perhaps you've heard, "Hope is a thing with feathers," a famous line from an untitled poem by Emily Dickinson? Whether you're familiar with these sayings or not, we all know that hope can be fleeting. One day, you might feel full of hope, joyful, and inspired, while the next day you could be questioning what else could possibly go wrong. 

No One Experiences Hope Quite Like a Seasoned Entrepreneur

The entrepreneurial path is not for the hopeless—this includes both the doubtful, who see no hope, and the unrealistic, who engage in wishful thinking. The journey of an entrepreneur often begins with hope, envisioning a future yet to be created. In the early years, it often feels like you are fighting to bring a vision to life. Once you gain consumer buy-in, you can spread that hope by expanding your reach. However, it is essential to maintain hope while balancing optimism and realism, which can be challenging as those lines often blur. 

Regaining Hope After It's Lost

It is common for seasoned entrepreneurs to experience a loss of hope. At times, hope can feel more like a burden than a tool for reimagining a space, envisioning a community's potential, or pursuing systemic change. Hope requires us to confront our fears, making its loss a frequent occurrence. So, what do you do if hope seems lost? You seek out ways to experience joy. When hope fades, it's often accompanied by a decrease in self-belief. Therefore, intentionally carving out time for activities that bring you joy can help restore your confidence. Joyful activities can be as simple as going for a walk, cooking, participating in an escape room, or trying rock climbing. 

A New Perspective on Hope

The way we view hope can depend on what we are hoping for and how life responds to those hopes. Hope is positive when things go our way, but it can feel crushing when it doesn't. This is a naive perspective on hope. Instead, when hope leads to disappointment, consider it a signal that your vision needs refining or reevaluation. Even when hope aligns in our favor, it doesn't mean we won't face challenges. Sometimes, achieving that hopeful outcome comes with its own set of troubles. Therefore, I challenge you to view hope as a means to lean in or step back, but never as a reason to shut down. 

Journal Prompt: Where have I lost hope in my life or business?