"Hope is not a plan. What's your plan?

I’ve likely posed this question hundreds of times, often in rapid succession during a pivotal moment for aspiring service members: their final fitness test of basic training. This test is the gatekeeper, determining their ability to continue their journey, and the pressure to progress and meet the standard is palpable. Over the many years I've had the privilege of supporting this dedicated population, I've made it a point to be present, a familiar voice reminding them of the mental skills we cultivated in the preceding weeks.

During those pre-dawn hours, as they stood in line, the anticipation and anxiety were thick in the air. I would move along the line, connecting with each individual, asking a seemingly simple yet profoundly revealing question: “How’s this event going to go?” My aim with this inquiry was to gauge their sense of confidence, the sharpness of their focus, and the depth of their motivation. Far too often, the initial response was a hesitant, “Well, I hope it’ll go well.” My reply, delivered with both directness and encouragement, as I move a little more in their face, was consistently: “Hope is not a plan. What’s your plan?”

Our brains are hardwired to seek certainty in every situation. When faced with ambiguity, our minds instinctively grasp for something stable to hold onto. For tasks where confidence is lacking, that anchor can often become the nebulous feeling of hope. Hope, defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, is a valuable emotion. However, its timing is crucial. In the immediate lead-up to a performance that holds significance, our brains benefit most from a sense of unwavering certainty. Relying solely on hope in the moment of execution is likely to diffuse focus, drawing attention away from the tangible steps required to produce the desired outcome. You become less likely to concentrate on the process – on actively making it happen.

The feeling of hope finds its most potent application in the days and weeks leading up to a significant performance. During this preparatory phase, you can vividly envision your desired outcome and allow yourself to feel the positive emotions associated with achieving your goals. This imaginative exercise can clarify your aspirations and fuel the motivation needed to put in the necessary work. However, as the moment of truth draws near, the focus must deliberately shift from hopeful anticipation to the concrete execution of a specific plan of action. This plan, meticulously crafted through preparation, becomes your anchor, reminding you of the training you’ve completed and the precise steps you will take in the critical moment.

The majority of the trainees I worked with responded positively to this emphasis on planning. I could consistently observe that those who had thoughtfully articulated a plan were significantly more likely to achieve their goals for that event. Their demeanor exuded a quiet confidence, a sense of being in control. Conversely, a few individuals would invariably scoff at my insistence on having a plan. These were often the individuals who had never truly considered how they were going to accomplish their objectives; they were, in essence, passively waiting for success to be bestowed upon them. This highlights a crucial distinction: hope is passive; a plan is active. I have seen this play out with senior executives in corporate settings when I coach for leadership development. With my sport psychology clients, this also shows up.

As you approach an upcoming performance, whatever that may be in your arena – a crucial presentation, a challenging athletic event, a significant leadership decision – I urge you to reflect:

If I were to ask you in the moments before, "How's it going to go?" what would your response be?

Are you relying on the vagaries of hope and fate to guide you to success? Or are you cultivating a hopeful outlook and diligently creating a concrete plan? A plan that empowers you to stay laser-focused on taking ownership of your success, step by deliberate step.

Are you ready to take even greater control of your performance and move beyond simply hoping for the best? I often work with individuals and teams to create these actionable roadmaps. If this resonates with you, let's connect.