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Making Hope Happen: Create the Future You Want for Yourself and Others Paperback – July 22, 2014
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Some people manage to bounce back quickly from setbacks, to lead happy, healthy, productive lives, no matter their circumstances. These people have found a way to make good things happen even when luck isn’t on their side. The secret ingredient they use to transform their lives, it turns out, is hope.
Using discoveries from the largest study of hopeful people ever conducted, Shane J. Lopez, PhD, “the world’s preeminent expert on hope” (Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness), reveals that hope is not just an emotion but an essential life tool. Hope is a leading indicator of success in relationships, academics, career, and business, and with Making Hope Happen, you can measure your level of hope and learn how to increase, use, and share it. In addition, Lopez shares the uplifting stories of real people who have created hope in their own lives and communities, from a CEO who befriended a curious nine-year-old to a college student who is thriving after two heart transplants.
Praised as “thoughtful and pragmatic” (Publishers Weekly), Making Hope Happen is for anyone seeking a better future—for themselves, for their business, or for the world. The message is clear: Hope is a choice. Hope can be learned. Hope is contagious. Hope can change your life.
- Print length272 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJuly 22, 2014
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.8 x 8.38 inches
- ISBN-101451666233
- ISBN-13978-1451666236
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Shane Lopez, the world’s preeminent expert on hope, shares his expertise and wisdom on what hope is, how to create more of it in your life, and how to teach it to others, with the aim of meeting your goals, leading a happier, more flourishing life, and making the world a better place.” -- Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness
"Making Hope Happen instantly draws you in. With intriguing stories and important insights on every page, this book not only illustrates the power of hope, but the simple steps we can all take to get more of it in our lives." -- Sian Beilock, author of Choke: What The Secrets Of The Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To
"Finally, a book that shines a light on one of the most powerful, and most misunderstood, emotional forces in our lives. Making Hope Happen is a smart and incisive look at the scientific and practical aspects of building visions of the future we can believe in and work toward." -- Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind
"A clear and powerful introduction to the scientific study of hope by the leading researcher on this vital topic, Making Hope Happen is full of useful strategies for getting our future under control. A pleasure to read, and a treasure to save for those bleak days when defeat stares us in the face." -- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, author of Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
“There's no pill or supplement that can reverse aging. In fact, most of what explains longevity is not for sale--purpose, faith, and the hope. This book--from one of the nation's most renowned well-being researchers--explores the power of hope and shows us where to find it." -- Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow & author of The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest
“Thoughtful and pragmatic, Lopez’s work will inspire readers to take control of their future, choose hope, and choose life.” ― Publishers Weekly
"Lopez explores the one emotion—hope—that divides our society into two camps: those of us who believe everyone has it; or, those who believe everyone else has it. Either way, we all want more of it—without even understanding what hope is and how to use it. The first step? Articulating the difference between optimism (a rosy attitude with which some are born) and hope (an ability to see that the future can be better and that you have a role in creating it). Hope is made, not handed down, he writes, and it can be learned even by pessimists." ― O: The Oprah Magazine
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Atria Books; Reprint edition (July 22, 2014)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1451666233
- ISBN-13 : 978-1451666236
- Item Weight : 9 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.38 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #129,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #349 in Emotional Mental Health
- #2,259 in Success Self-Help
- #2,693 in Motivational Self-Help (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the themes inspiring and helpful for recognizing how easy it is to become overwhelmed. They also appreciate the writing style, which is clear and realistic. Readers say the book provides accessible ways for us to be change agents.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the themes in the book inspiring, refreshing, and educational. They say the book shares actionable strategies to create hope and is relevant. Customers also say it's helpful for recognizing how easy it is to become overwhelmed.
"...It is deeply rooted in the Positive Psychology movement and rightly sees optimism as one element of the larger psychology of hope...." Read more
""Making Hope Happen" is a refreshing demonstration of thoughtful research-based evidence articulated in an approachable and applicable way...." Read more
"I used it in a sermon. Very helpful regarding recognizing how easy it is to become overwhelmed...." Read more
"...The stories in the book make hope personal and achievable, giving us the courage to dare to hope while looking realistically at the challenges we..." Read more
Customers find the writing style clear, realistic, and easy to understand. They also find the work incisive, practical, humble, and humorous. Readers also mention that the book provides accessible ways for us to be the change agent needed to make.
"...I read a number of his research articles and found his work to be incisive, practical, humble and humorous...." Read more
"...of thoughtful research-based evidence articulated in an approachable and applicable way...." Read more
"...This book is wonderfully researched and wonderfully written in language that is easy to understand...." Read more
"...This book provides accessible ways for us to be the change agent needed to make positive change in our family, schools, workplace, and community...." Read more
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I had been researching the psychology of hope before Anne's death, but now it became an obsession. I had come to a deep appreciation of Rick Snyder's research and writing on the psychology of hope. It was clear that hope was a set of choices and actions, not some warm and wishful feeling. I needed those concrete steps and a schema for moving forward.
In that research, Shane Lopez's name appeared and reappeared. I was living in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the time. So I was struck by the fact that Dr. Lopez was on the faculty of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a project scientist with the Gallup organization. I read a number of his research articles and found his work to be incisive, practical, humble and humorous.
When I saw that this book was about to hit the shelves, I knew I needed to have it in my collection. It is equal parts personal testimony, research report, and guide for action. Lopez writes early on, "I realized that how we think about the future--how we hope--determines how well we live our lives." That was and is my experience as well.
The book continues the body of work launched by Snyder and his colleagues. It is deeply rooted in the Positive Psychology movement and rightly sees optimism as one element of the larger psychology of hope. I use this book in my personal life, my pastoral ministry, and my mediation and coaching practice.
Buy it and enjoy!
Dr. Lopez shows us that "Hope" is no longer an ambiguous or arbitrary idea about the future. Rather, it is an active process that connects our present and our future through our behaviors. "Making Hope Happen" in many ways is a paradigm shift of how we think about our lives, what motivates us, and how we can sustain our own well being at home, in our communities, and at work.
Last week, Dr. Lopez gave a presentation about his book to the youth-serving non-profit I work for in Boston. During his presentation, I saw my staff light up like I haven't before. They were excited to be exposed to evidence-based research that validates the work we already do so well. I am confident that his presentation and research will have a ripple effect throughout our entire organization and the way we approach management, training, and our work with the students we serve.
Dr. Lopez provides a wealth of research about hope and wonderful examples of how that research can be applied. "The Hope Cycle" illustrates how having hope can build momentum and more hope. Chapter 12 "Leading with Hope" discusses how leaders can motivate "followers" by practicing three tactics.
1)Create and sustain excitement about the future.
2)Knock down existing obstacles to goals and don't put up new ones.
3)Reestablish goals-regoal-when the circumstances demand it.
This book is wonderfully researched and wonderfully written in language that is easy to understand. I highly recommend reading this book and keeping it handy (on the coffee table) for easy reference and perhaps to "spread hope to others."




