Despite the various definitions for hope in the scientific world, the definition from Rick Snyder and his Hope Theory has garnered the most attention in social sciences. He defined it as follows: “Hope is a positive motivational state that is based on an interactively derived sense of successful (a) agency (goal-directed energy), and (b) pathways (planning to meet goals)” (Snyder, Irving, & Anderson, 1991, p. 287). At its core, hope is not merely wishful thinking but a dynamic cognitive process involving three key ideas: Goals, Pathways, and Agency.

• Goals
  ​Hopeful individuals engage in goal-directed thinking, which involves envisioning positive future outcomes, setting realistic goals, and maintaining a positive mindset.
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• Pathways​
  In hope theory, pathways refer to the strategies and plans individuals develop to reach their goals. It’s the ability to identify multiple routes and adapt when faced with obstacles.
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• Agency ​
  Hope involves setting meaningful goals and determining the pathways to achieve them, including having a sense of agency like “having the perceived capacity to use one’s pathways to reach desired goals” (Snyder, 2002), and thus being able actively pursuing desired outcomes.

Obviously, “I hope winter is over soon” differs from examples such as “I hope to finish my training program today” or “I hope to qualify for the Olympic Games.” The former is not tied to an individual’s specific goal and lacks any connection to a strategy supporting the person in achieving the desire for winter to end. Additionally, unless the individual possesses divine abilities akin to Zeus, Thor, Indra, or Chaac (all gods responsible for the weather ⛈️ – if you’re curious again… 😉), they would have no capacity to change the weather. However, in the case of the latter two examples, it can be realistic for the athlete to achieve these goals. If, for instance, I were to express a hope to qualify for Paris 2024, you and I might agree that it is 100% unrealistic. However, for an athlete operating at that level, it might be feasible, potentially serving as a significant motivation boost for the athlete.

When examining the factor of Agency, one might pose the question (as I did): “…but wait, isn’t it the same as self-efficacy by Bandura?” After taking a closer look, I can state: “No, it’s not.” Self-efficacy is centered around specific tasks or behaviors, evaluating an individual’s confidence in their ability to perform particular actions. In contrast, Agency within Hope Theory is a more expansive concept, covering the capacity to establish and pursue goals with the belief that one can influence the course of events in their life.

In sports, Hope Theory could also become a powerful tool for athletes, teams, and coaches. Athletes fueled by hope might exhibit higher levels of perseverance, resilience, and optimism. They might approach challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable barriers, fostering a positive mindset that contributes to enhanced performance.

For teams, Hope Theory could foster a collective optimism that transcends individual efforts. When team members share a vision, set realistic goals, and collectively believe in their capacity to achieve them, the synergy generated propels the team towards success. This shared hope becomes a binding force that strengthens team cohesion and resilience.

Coaches, as architects of hope, play a crucial role in instilling hope in their athletes. Through effective communication, goal-setting, and nurturing a supportive environment, coaches can empower athletes to envision and pursue their aspirations. In doing so, they contribute not only to improved athletic performance but also to the overall well-being of their athletes.

As sport psychology professionals, we can assist athletes and coaches in cultivating a broader sense of hope by aiding them in developing and setting specific goals (after all, it’s one of our core responsibilities, isn’t it?!). Through this process, we can further guide them in reflecting on these goals both prospectively and retrospectively, helping them recognize their capacities to achieve these objectives. They are the agents in their own lives.

In summary, Hope Theory serves as a guiding framework that acknowledges hope as a potent force capable of transforming challenges into opportunities, not only in sports but also in broader life contexts. It underscores the significance of goal-setting, belief in one’s abilities, and fostering a positive mindset as essential components of a fulfilling and successful journey. However, we need to be mindful of the fact, that being overly optimistic may also harm well-being, satisfaction or motivation through disappointment!

If you are curious to read more about the theoretical ideas behind Hope Theory, I encourage you to explore the journal paper Hope Theory: Rainbows in the Mind by Snyder (2002) (personally, I don’t like such cheesy titles – but the content is amazing!). Additionally, there have been recent developments in Hope Theory that you may also wish to consider. However, I believe that commencing with Snyder’s core ideas is an excellent way to incorporate hope into your work.