Coaching & Hope Theory

In today’s fast-paced and often uncertain world, young people face numerous challenges that can impact their sense of hope. From academic pressures and career uncertainties to social and environmental concerns, it’s easy for them to feel overwhelmed and lose sight of their potential. 

The problem of diminished hope can lead to anxiety, disengagement, and a lack of motivation. One of the key objectives of the Coaching Young People For Success Program is to cultivate hope in young people. In this post, we look at what hope is and why it is so important.

The Oxford Dictionary defines hope as “a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen.” Hope generally conveys a sense of anticipation for positive outcomes. Psychologist Charles Snyder expands on this, describing hope as a cognitive process involving goal-directed thinking.
Hope Theory argues that there are three main components of hopeful thinking:

1. Goals – Approaching life in a goal-oriented way.
2. Pathways – Identifying different routes to achieve your goals.
3. Agency – Having the motivation and belief that you can initiate change and achieve these goals.

In Snyder’s view, hope is not just a passive wish for a better outcome but an active mental process that combines clear goal-setting, the ability to find ways to achieve those goals, and the motivation to take action, even when challenges arise. It is what keeps us moving forward when the going gets tough and helps us to “get back on the horse” when we fall off. This definition highlights hope as a dynamic, empowering force driving individuals toward success (Cheavens, Feldman, Gum, Scott, and Snyder, 2006).

Building on Snyder’s Hope Theory, Hope Action Theory, developed by Amundson, Niles, and Yoon, integrates hope into career and life planning, offering a structured approach to goal achievement that we can apply in our group and one-on-one programs.

The key components of Hope Action Theory are:

• Self-reflection: Understanding one’s strengths, values, and aspirations.
• Self-clarity: Gaining insight into personal identity and purpose.
• Visioning: Creating a positive, future-focused outlook.
• Goal-setting: Defining meaningful and achievable goals.
• Planning: Identifying clear steps to reach those goals.
• Action: Taking proactive steps toward goal achievement.
• Adaptability: Adjusting goals and plans when challenges or changes arise.
  (Niles, S. G., Amundson, N. E., & Yoon, H. J. (2019). Hope-action theory: Creating and sustaining hope in career development)

Together, these elements provide a practical way to develop hope and empower young people to set goals, navigate obstacles, and envision a positive future. Cultivating hope is central to delivering high-quality career guidance and life coaching programs..

Happy Coaching,

Robyn Chellew