About this quote

People often treat hope like a force that will carry them past hard facts. When hope meets reality head-on, the result can be sudden and painful. Look for where you keep expecting things to change without an action behind them. If hope is hiding a problem, name the problem, adjust one small step, and stop assuming time will fix it.

When to use it

• After the product launch missed targets I told the team, "Hope won't fix the numbers. Let's review the metrics and make a new plan."
• When my knee kept hurting I said out loud, "Hoping it will go away isn't a treatment. Book the appointment and follow the rehab."
• Facing a stack of unpaid bills I admitted, "Hoping the next paycheck will cover everything isn't a strategy. Let's set a budget tonight."
• Before the big match I told my teammate, "Hoping you'll play well won't make it happen. Do the drills you keep putting off."