We have all heard the phrase,” hope is not a strategy.” Certainly when it comes to a job search, career advancement, or finding more meaningful work, hope alone will not get you there. We have also heard that, ”insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” Simply hoping things will turn out differently is inadequate.

However, when people are hopeless, discouraged, downcast, their nonverbal communication (body language, tone and energy in their voice) changes. As such, maintaining hope has a value all its own.

It is also true that good strategy gives hope. When I talk with people about better ways to execute an effective strategy to find the right opportunity, hope increases.

Fortunately we don’t have to choose between hope and strategy. Hope, combined with more effective strategies, turns out to be a great combination.