Remember when the Beatles sang, all those years ago, All you need is love and Love is all you need (its corollary)? Well, guess what: apparently, the Beatles were wrong!

It has now been scientifically proven that love, all by its lonesome, and when not allied with hope, doesnt actually measure up to very much, at least not in our all-too-familiar practical world.

Have you generally been successful in your career? Kids doing well in school? Feel youve attained many (or most) of the major sights youve set for yourself in your personal life? If so, these victories may have come about because youve developed the habit of HOPING for the best.

In a study conducted by the Clinical Psychology Department of the University of Kansas, 100 first-year college men and an equal number of first-year college women were asked to rate the factualness of a series of statements. These included such optimism axioms as There are lots of ways around any problem and I always energetically pursue my goals.

Results of the study concluded that aspirations predict achievement better than standardized tests. Evidence: Students who ranked the tests hopeful statements as unlikely or untrue tended to be C-level achievers while those who identified closely with the hope-based declarations typically earned B grades or better. To put a capper on the findings, a significantly higher proportion of the hopeful student category eventually graduated.

Dare we also conclude however that such results, i.e., the power of hope, would also work for you and me, grizzled and fried as we are from our constant battles with obnoxious co-workers and bosses, unforgiving customers, strident politicians, telemarketers and con artists?

Probably, the Kansas research suggests. Other studies at the same center have uncovered indications that hope-minded expectations also hold the capacity to accurately predict high levels of psychological adjustment, health, athletic achievement and effective coping skills, not just in school or at work but, in fact, in ALL aspects of life.

Does what Im telling you here make you feel hopeful or discouraged? If hopeful, youre doing fine and are headed for success. If discouraged, get out and rent Its a Wonderful Life and watch it about a dozen times. That may be the ticket to get you back on the right track.