Hope to me is just the first step in the asking of question, the begining of search for real truth or change in the world around us.

Hoping, wishing, wanting. King of like praying without a deity (necessarily). but if we want something to happen, then we are more inclined to take action that favors it happening. But, it is taking action that makes the difference, not just hoping.

As @CapriKious said below, it becomes dangerous as a substitute for constructive action, and I'd add, still a stronger contributor to success than despair.

I think hope is a double edged sword in our set of coping mechanisms. It is what we do when we have no idea what else to do. When we cannot see our way out of a situation hope can keep us going until better circumstances come along. Contrarily, It can keep us at a course of action that is in fact quite useless. It is irrational as are all the emotions and has the same advantages and liabilities. I think rest and reflection or useful action is a better response than hope as it (hope) can be a substitute for positive actions cerebral and physical.