My Passive Income Journal

How Hope Will Keep You Poor

I hear the concept of hope often celebrated as a virtue, a beacon of light in dark times, a force that keeps us going when all seems lost.

I think the whole concept of hope is rubbish. I believe the concept of hope will keep you poor and unsuccessful.

We’re told to hold onto hope, to believe that things will get better, that success and wealth are just around the corner. But what if I told you that hope, when misplaced or misused, could actually keep you poor? It may sound counterintuitive, but the truth is, hope alone is not enough to bring about meaningful change in your life. In this article, I’ll briefly try to explain why relying solely on hope can lead to financial stagnation and how taking proactive steps is essential for achieving success and wealth.

The Illusion of Success from Hoping

One of the biggest pitfalls of hope is its tendency to foster a passive mindset ….waiting for “it” to happen. When we rely solely on hope, we fall into the trap of waiting for things to magically fall into place without putting in the necessary effort. We convince ourselves that as long as we keep hoping for success, it will eventually come knocking on our door. But the reality is far harsher. Success rarely happens by chance or luck alone. Manifesting success requires focus, the right mindset, consistent work, dedication and perseverance.

Consider the lottery mentality as an example. Many people hope to win the lottery as their ticket to wealth and financial freedom (I have nothing against buying a lottery ticket for fun BTW!). They spend their hard-earned money on lottery tickets, fervently hoping, even believing, for that lucky break. Yet, statistically speaking, the odds of winning the lottery are astronomically low. Relying on hope alone to transform your financial situation is akin to banking on a lottery win – it’s a gamble with slim chances of success.

The Pitfalls of Hopeful Thinking

Hope can also lead us to engage in wishful thinking, where we envision a future of wealth and success without considering the practical steps needed to get there. It’s easy to get lost in daydreams of luxury cars, lavish vacations and early retirement without taking concrete actions to turn those dreams into reality.

Wishful thinking creates a false sense of progress. We may feel like we’re making strides towards our goals simply by visualizing them or expressing our hopes and desires. However, without a solid plan of action, those dreams remain just that – dreams. Now, don’t misunderstand me, I truly believe in the power of visualising and manifesting working in tandem with action-taking to make “it” happen …. I just don’t believe in raw hope.

Oh … more thoughts – wishful thinking can blind us to the harsh realities of our current situation. Instead of facing the challenges head-on and actively seeking solutions, we may choose to bury our heads in the sand, hoping that things will magically improve on their own. But hope alone cannot solve our problems or overcome the obstacles in our path. Hope is far too mystical to be of any concrete help.

Hope Will Keep You Poor
Hope Will Keep You Poor

Action is the Cure to Hope

If hope is not the answer to achieving success and wealth, then what is? The antidote to hope lies in action – taking proactive steps towards our goals and making tangible progress every day.

Action is the catalyst for change. It transforms our hopes and dreams into achievable objectives, guiding us towards the life we desire. Action teaches us real skills and build capability and experience – hope does none of these things. Instead of passively waiting (AKA hoping) for success to find us, we actively pursue it with clear vision, determination and perseverance.

Take the example of starting a business. Many aspiring entrepreneurs hope to build successful ventures, but hope alone won’t launch a company. Maybe this is why so many new business fail? It takes meticulous planning, market research, financial investment and hard work to turn a business idea into a profitable reality. Each step forward requires action – reaching out to potential customers, refining products or services, and adapting to market demands.

By embracing action instead of hope, we empower ourselves to take control of our destiny. We recognize that success is not a matter of luck or chance or mystical manifestation but the result of deliberate clear visualisation, planning, effort and strategic decision-making.

Cultivating Determination

To break free from the cycle of hope that keeps us poor, we must cultivate a mindset of determination. Determination is the fuel that drives us forward in the face of adversity, propelling us towards our goals even when the odds are stacked against us.

Determination is what separates those who succeed from those who merely hope for success. It’s the willingness to persevere in the face of setbacks, to learn from failures, and to keep pushing forward no matter what obstacles may arise.

Think of determination as a muscle that needs to be strengthened over time. The more we exercise it, the stronger it becomes. We build resilience in the face of adversity, refusing to be deterred by temporary setbacks or challenges.

Cultivating a mindset of determination requires discipline and commitment. It means clearly visualising, setting smart goals, developing a plan of action and holding ourselves accountable for our progress. It means refusing to settle for mediocrity and continually striving for excellence in all that we do.

Conclusion – Hope will Keep you Poor

While hope can provide temporary comfort in difficult times, relying on it as a sole strategy for achieving success and wealth is a sure recipe for disappointment. Hope alone cannot change our circumstances or fulfill our aspirations. Instead, it is action, fueled by determination that propels us towards our goals and transforms our dreams into reality.

By embracing action over hope and cultivating a mindset of determination, we take control of our destiny and pave the way for a brighter financial future. So, rather than passively hoping for success, let’s roll up our sleeves, set our sights on our goals, and take decisive steps towards the life we truly desire. Hope will keep you poor, so strike from your vocabulary, strike it from your thoughts.

Cheers

Hugh Walker