Making Hope Happen

In this practical guide to the anatomy of hope and how to harness its incredible power in your own life, a leading psychologist "shines a light on one of the most powerful, and most misunderstood, emotional forces in our lives" (Daniel Pink, author of Drive).

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.

“"Thoughtful and pragmatic, Lopez's work will inspire readers to take control of their future, choose hope, and choose life."”

"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
"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
"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
"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"

Shane J. Lopez, Ph.D., a Gallup Senior Scientist, is the world's leading authority on the psychology of hope. He has published numerous professional books on what is right with people, including The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife and son.

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