Is This The Most Powerful Word You Will Ever Use?
YET a small but mighty word
One of the most powerful ways to shift your mindset is to shift your language. Enter a tiny little word that really packs a punch.
YET!
The power of a yet statement helps shift your beliefs from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. This will help set you up for success in all aspects of your life. From work and hobbies to family life in general.
Do you use the power of yet statements?
Boost your motivation with this tiny word
I can honestly say that adding more “yet” statements to my thinking has totally changed my mindset. I have gone from being down-in-the-dumps and like I have not, nor will I ever, achieve anything, to feeling motivated and inspired.
Yet is the difference between a “fixed” and a “growth” mindset.
For example:
I cannot run 5k (fixed).
I cannot run 5k YET (growth).
See how adding that one tiny word takes you from feeling unaccomplished to feeling like you will be able to run 5k sometime in the future?
Yet changes your mindset to a GROWTH mindset, rather than a fixed mindset.
Fixed mindset limits our beliefs and sets the precedent that we have failed before we have even tried.
If you believe you can improve, you will. So even though you cannot run 5k yet it doesn’t mean you will never be able to.
You have not finished learning and training but will eventually reach your goal, and this is the power behind yet statements.
What is a Growth Mindset
By adding the word yet to statements you make about yourself, your abilities, your business, or your life you change your beliefs. You move from a fixed mindset where you limit your beliefs in your own capabilities to one of growth.
A growth mindset gives you the confidence and belief that even if you are not where you want to be right now, with a bit of work and practice you will be.
Carol Dweck, Ph.D is a professor of Psychology who coined the term “growth mindset”. She authored a book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, based on motivation, mindset and the power of these yet statements.
In her research she identified two groups of people.
- Those with a fixed mindset.
- Those with a growth mindset.
The fixed mindset group.
Professor Dweck states that those individuals who believe you are born with an innate talent (or lack of) and therefore no amount of effort will produce a better outcome have a rigid and fixed mindset. If they maintain this type of thinking they will not grow and develop, they won’t learn new things because they have already set themself up for failure by simply believing they cannot do something.
Examples of what someone with a fixed mindset may say:
“I can’t run 5k.”
“I will never get clients”.
“I can’t start a new business”.
The growth mindset group.
On the other hand, Professor Dweck identified individuals who believe with enough effort, work and knowledge they can improve their skills and abilities. These people have a growth mindset. They see something they wish to achieve or learn and are able to take steps to see it happen.
Examples of what someone with a growth mindset may say:
“I can’t run 5k yet.”
“I don’t have any clients yet.”
“I cannot start a new business yet”.
The power of “yet” statements
This small, but powerful word helps you reframe your beliefs. Changing limiting statements by simply adding the word yet helps inspire, motivate and create a growth mindset.
Examples to change your mindset:
“I don’t know” becomes “I don’t know YET”.
“It doesn’t make sense” becomes “It doesn’t make sense YET”.
“I can’t do this” becomes “I can’t do this YET”.
Changing your beliefs and mindset is simple
Everything changed when I shifted my mindset from “I can’t do it” to “I can’t do it yet.”
I found from the moment onwards, instead of feeling unmotivated and down on myself, I became inspired and determined to hit my goals.
I am now trying to teach my children the same.
When our 6-year-old son tells us he can’t spell, we say “you can’t spell yet”. He is a determined little soul and hates to feel like he has failed in some way. It is a constant work in progress, especially as it is something I am still working on myself.
However, it is worth it to teach resilience and shift to a growth mindset. One where we can achieve anything we set our minds to.
What is your yet statement?
Rachel Maree is a writer, mum and registered nurse. Bringing you the real truth to parenting, nursing and writing (even when it is downright ugly). You can read more articles or hire her to write amazing content for you — Rachel Maree.
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