“Hope isn’t a planning method”; it’s a strategic weapon.

No organization invests more time and energy into decision-making than the U.S. military. They don’t always get every decision right, but they consistently dedicate immense effort to the process. In fact, they have documented the steps involved in critical decision-making through the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP).

I learned early on that there’s no place for the word “hope” in the MDMP. If there’s one phrase I heard more than any other during that process, it’s “Hope is not a planning method.”

The principle behind that statement is clear: people tend to rely on hope when they haven’t done the hard work of gathering facts or analyzing data. Within the MDMP, hope often becomes a synonym for “I didn’t do my homework.” And while I agree with the principle that hope isn’t a substitute for preparation, I often found myself wondering—why couldn’t hope play a supporting role within the MDMP steps?

In this article, I’ll explore the role of hope in fueling tenacity, creativity, and long-term success. I firmly believe that hope can never replace the diligence required to make tough decisions. However, I also believe that hope holds strategic value when anchored to the right person and the right purpose. Because no leader ever possesses all the facts when making a critical decision, I’m convinced that hope often carries more power to shape the future than even the most perfect plan.

Hope is more than a fleeting emotion—it is a powerful force that shapes our lives in profound ways. Many military planners, and even people we know, often dismiss hope as unrealistic, but nothing could be further from the truth. When you fully embrace hope, it becomes your internal GPS, guiding you through challenges and hardships while keeping your eyes fixed on a brighter future.

Hope is the spark that keeps you moving forward in the face of hardship. It is the inner voice that whispers, “You’ve got this,” even when everything around you says otherwise. Hope invites you to rise after every fall, to see failure as a lesson and a stepping stone toward a better future. It is the backbone of resilience, reminding you that no matter how dark the night, the morning is always on its way.

Hope unlocks your creativity. It dares you to imagine what’s possible and drives you to pursue bold ideas. With hope, you are no longer bound by limitations—it is the spark that ignites your potential. Whether you are an artist, a problem-solver, or a dreamer, hope gives you the courage to take risks and the vision to reimagine the world.

No easy journey is ever memorable. We tell stories about the hardships we’ve overcome, not the easy paths we’ve taken. Every goal comes with obstacles, and every worthwhile dream encounters setbacks. Hope is the force that fuels persistence. It lights the way forward when the path grows dark or uncertain. By holding on to hope, you find the strength and determination to overcome life’s most difficult roads.

I’m trying to convince you that hope is not passive. Strategic hope means choosing to believe that tomorrow holds something better—and then pursuing it with everything you have. Hope helps you set meaningful goals, learn from setbacks, and adjust your path when necessary. It moves you toward your greatest dreams, one courageous step at a time.

Hope has often been seen as a lazy person’s substitute for doing the hard work required when facing tough decisions. However, don’t underestimate the value of hope in shaping your future. Hope is never naïve—it’s courageous. It’s the choice to see challenges as opportunities, to trust in change, and to invest in a future full of promise.

When you choose hope, you become unstoppable. Let hope be your strategy—it will help you rise, innovate, and endure. No matter the challenge, unleash your strongest weapon against life’s greatest obstacles. When life gets brutal, choose hope—it will never let you down.