The power of yet ? Let me explain.
We’ve all been there. Sitting at the desk, staring at the laptop screen, chewing the end of a pen, muttering those dreaded words:
“I can’t do this.”
Maybe it was during a maths class at school when the numbers blurred together. Maybe it’s been learning to play the guitar, only to hear something resembling a wounded cat instead of music. Maybe it’s standing in front of an audience with your heart hammering and your voice caught in your throat.
That moment, the one where defeat creeps in and failure feels final, is universal. But here’s the twist: you’re not actually stuck. You just haven’t done it yet.
And that tiny three letter word? It changes everything.
The Origins of “Yet” and the Growth Mindset
The power of yet didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It was championed by Dr. Carol Dweck, a Stanford psychologist whose research on fixed vs. growth mindset has transformed education, business, and personal development.
A fixed mindset says: “This is who I am. My abilities are set. If I fail, it’s proof I’m not good enough.”
A growth mindset says: “I can learn, I can improve, I can adapt. If I fail, it’s just part of the process.”
And tucked neatly inside the growth mindset is this one little word: yet.
- “I don’t understand this yet.”
- “I haven’t mastered it yet.”
- “I’m not where I want to be yet.”
It’s the difference between closing the book on yourself and writing the next chapter.
Why “Yet” Is So Powerful
Adding yet to the end of a sentence isn’t just a semantic trick. It rewires the way you view challenges, mistakes, and your own potential. Let’s break it down:
1. It Reframes Failure as Learning
Without yet: “I failed, therefore I’m rubbish.”
With yet: “I failed, therefore I learned. Next time will be different.”
Mistakes become stepping stones, not tombstones.
2. It Fuels Motivation
When you accept that you’re not there yet, it keeps the door open. You’re more likely to keep practicing, keep showing up, and keep trying.
Think of a toddler learning to walk. They wobble, fall, cry, then get up again. No toddler has ever said, “Walking’s not for me.” They simply aren’t walking yet.
3. It Builds Resilience
Life throws curveballs. Sometimes it feels like the universe is pitching at 90 mph directly at your head. Yet acts as your protective helmet. It reminds you that the struggle is temporary, not permanent.
4. It Shifts Focus from Outcome to Process
Instead of obsessing over the result (“I need to be perfect now”), yet encourages you to enjoy the messy, frustrating, beautiful process of growth.
Read this post about starting, action, is better than perfection.
5. It Empowers You
When you say yet, you take back control. You’re no longer a victim of your limitations, you’re the author of your progress.
Putting “Yet” Into Practice
This isn’t just theory. Yet is a tool you can carry into daily life, and it works best when practiced deliberately. Here’s how:
Step 1: Notice Your Inner Voice
Catch yourself in the act of negative self-talk. If you hear:
- “I can’t keep up with everyone else.”
- “I’m never going to get this right.”
Add yet.
Watch how the statement softens, how it opens space for possibility.
Step 2: Challenge Limiting Beliefs
When your brain insists, “I’ll never be good at this”, pause. Ask: “Is that true? Or is it just not true… yet?”
Step 3: Celebrate Progress, Not Just Perfection
Finished a single push up after weeks of none? That’s progress. Played a song on guitar without crying? That’s progress. These micro victories are proof that yet is working.
Step 4: Embrace Challenges
Instead of avoiding things that feel hard, lean in. Growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone; it happens in the stretch zone.
❤️Step 5: Share the “Yet” Mindset with Others
Encourage your friends, kids, or colleagues. Praise their effort, their persistence, not just the outcome. Teach them the power of “yet” by living it yourself.
Real-Life Stories of “Yet”
Thomas Edison
He famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Edison didn’t invent the lightbulb straight away. He hadn’t succeeded… yet.
J.K. Rowling
Before Harry Potter became a global phenomenon, Rowling faced 12 rejections. Each publisher said “no.” She could have stopped there. Instead, she hadn’t found the right publisher yet.
Your Own Story
Think about something you can now do with ease, maybe driving a car, cooking a signature dish, or running a 5k. Remember when it felt impossible? That’s yet in action.
The Science Behind It
Adding yet may feel small, but it taps into big shifts in the brain. Neuroscience shows that when you believe you can improve, your brain actually starts building new pathways. It’s called neuroplasticity, your brain reshaping itself as you practice, struggle, and learn.
So when you say, “I’m not good at this yet”, you’re not lying to yourself. You’re telling the truth about your brain’s ability to grow.
Common Misconceptions About “Yet”
Let’s clear a few things up:
- “Yet” isn’t an excuse. It doesn’t mean sitting back and waiting for things to magically happen. Effort still matters.
- “Yet” isn’t denial. It doesn’t ignore your current struggle. It acknowledges it honestly, but refuses to let it define you permanently.
- “Yet” isn’t just for big goals. It works for everything from learning French to managing your mental health.
Bringing “Yet” into Mental Health
This is personal. If you’ve faced depression, anxiety, or burnout, the words “I’ll never feel better” can hit hard. But adding yet is like letting in a shaft of light.
- “I’m not feeling strong yet.”
- “I haven’t found my balance yet.”
- “I don’t believe in myself yet.”
It doesn’t trivialise the struggle. It simply reminds you that the story isn’t over.
The Takeaway
The power of yet is almost disarmingly simple. But it works.
- It transforms failure into learning.
- It fuels motivation.
- It builds resilience.
- It keeps you moving forward, one step, one wobble, one attempt at a time.
So the next time you hear that voice whispering, “I can’t do this”, take a breath. Add the word. Say it out loud:
“I can’t do this… yet.”
And then get back up. Because your story isn’t finished, and your next chapter is waiting to be written.
Keep moving forward with courage, because every setback is just a setup for growth. Embracing the power of “yet” transforms obstacles into opportunities and doubt into determination. The journey may not be easy, but it really is worth it… always.
Ready to rewrite your story with resilience and confidence? Start today, share this message, inspire others, and take the first step toward the future you’ve been waiting for. Your breakthrough begins now.