Many business leaders, coaches and consultants mis-quote and mis-use the quote that is taken from a letter that Dr. Benjamin Ola Akande sent to the newly elected President Obama. The Dean of the Business School at Webster University in St. Louis used used the phrase "Hope Is Not a Strategy" as the title of his letter.

The point of the letter was to advise Mr. Obama on how to bring the economy of the USA back to life back:

"Yet, the fact remains that hope will not reduce housing foreclosures. Hope does not stop a recession. Hope cannot create jobs. Hope will not prevent catastrophic failures of banks. Hope is not a strategy."

The point that he was trying to make was that Hope alone is not a strategy. Just wishing away the problems that exist or wishing for something that you desire is futile. Action is needed. This is what Akande was trying to suggest.

Too many people who are wanting to help businesses with strategy, coaching and mentoring, often mis-use this part of what was trying to be said. It’s ultimately taking it right out of context.

For me, my hope in something unseen fuels my faith enough for me to step out, take action and see stuff happen! Hope IS my strategy. Alone it is pointless and simply a waste of energy.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” — The Bible, Hebrews 11:1 — New International Version — UK (NIVUK)

The hope that I have in Jesus that enables me to fully believe the scripture above and drives me on to want to believe in the more that He has for me. Continued good health, awesome relationships growing stronger each day, success in business, massive results for clients, provision and a deeper understanding of His word… all things that I hope for more of, that I have faith for and that I am taking action daily to do my part in.

Author, John Ortberg wrote a book with a great title:

“If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat”

This talks of the story of Peter seeing Jesus walking on water on Lake of Galilee. Peter calls out to Jesus and wants to join him… but in truth, it was never going to happen unless he took action to get out of the boat.

Faith and Hope come hand in hand. Hope can be — and should be — your strategy (whatever fuels it) but remember, you always will need to take action. This can often be the hardest thing to do. You might be comfortable in your “boat” and the fear of “sinking” can be too strong.

With faith fueled by hope, you might be able to “walk on the water” but you will never know unless you take that first step.

Allow yourself to hope and have faith.

Take steps this coming year to step into new things, go for bigger goals and seek out new experiences. Hope for more and step out in faith.

Hope is a strategy.

Hope is my strategy.

Build Hope into your strategy for 2014.