Why you need a "yet" mindset
SHAKING THE TREE #147
While the internet has given us lots of great things—access to information notwithstanding—one of the worst things it’s reinforced in our lives is the idea that gratification has to come quickly and that it must reign supreme.
When we see so many overnight success stories, particularly when se judge these examples as somehow being lesser than us in some way, it’s easy to feel defeated when things don’t come to us just as quickly or just or easily.
Life in western culture that often give more emphasis and often celebrates natural talent, immediate success, and effortless mastery more than it probably ought to.
There are two things to be ware of here: first, the idea of overnight success often ignores the years of toil, sweat, and effort someone has put in that we don’t see.
Second is the idea of instilling a mindset shift in our own thinking that shifts this perspective by adding one word that can transform your outlook and unlock your potential.
That word is “Yet.”
The power of “yet” thinking lies in its ability to turn our lack of action, our unwillingness to plan, and our failures and our personal limitations into possibility.
Yet thinking is the difference between “I can’t do this” and “I can’t do this yet.”
Simply by adding yet, you reframe your thinking, reminding yourself that growth is an up and down, side-to-side process rather than a fixed state, and that with that simple shift in thinking, anything is possible.
It was the psychologist Carol Dweck who popularized the concept of the “growth mindset,” a simple process that emphasizes that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, strategies, and learning.
At the heart of this mindset is the word “yet.”
People with a fixed mindset believe their abilities and opportunities are set, static, and unchangeable—their belief is that you’re either good at something or you’re not.
But this thinking ignores the plasticity and the astonishing capabilities of the human brain. Whether we realize it or not, we are hardwired to learn, to improve, and to thrive.
Take someone who believes they are not artistic and that they cannot draw. “I’m just not creative,” they’ll say, and with that decision, they slam shut the door to growth and possibility.
But with a tiny shift in thinking, the growth mindset opens that door. “I’m not creative” becomes “I’m learning to draw portraits” and “I can’t draw portraits yet, but I’m improving!” and suddenly, everything changes.
By adopting a growth mindset, we acknowledge that while we might struggle now, improvement is not only possible, but that with persistence it’s inevitable.
Imagine a young athlete trying to master a difficult skill.
Let’s say they’re learning to land a backflip.
They attempt it multiple times, falling flat or stumbling awkwardly.
Time and time again they screw up.
They fall. They stumble. They falter.
But what they do NOT do is quit!
Now, failing again and again would be enough for anyone to throw in the towel. It might be easy for them to say, “This is useless! I won’t ever be able to do a backflip!”
But watch what happens when they add that magic word: “I can’t do a backflip yet.”
Suddenly, failure sis no longer an inevitable outcome—now, failure and recalibration become part of the process.
The word “yet” reminds them that they’re on a journey of progress, and success is a matter of time and effort.
Consider learning to play a musical instrument or a new language.
Anyone who’s tried either of these things knows the initial frustration of not being able to master a set of chords or of not being able to communicate or understand well enough what’s being said.
It’s tempting to think, “This is useless! I’ll never be fluid or fluent.”
But with “yet” thinking, we welcome possibility, and with it, our doubts become, “I’m not fluid or fluent yet.” This reframing changes the narrative from cursing to commitment. You may not be good at speaking a foreign language or mastering a chord change now, but with practice and patience, it will happen.
How is this relevant to you? If you’re struggling with content creation—with either your niche or your material—I urge you to adopt a “yet” mindset with your plans.
I get it: you want it all, you want it now.
I wish it was that easy.
Whether you like it or not, the odds of you being super successful in your content creation efforts and building a huge email list or a massive following on social media right out of the gate are slim at best.
My initial content creation efforts failed miserably! MISERABLY! I had no plan, no clear ideas, no focus, no follow through, and I was useless at taking action and at anticipating and working through setbacks and failures.
I had no clear mindset and no concept of “yet” thinking, As a result, I quit after six months and it took me over a decade to bounce back.
These days I plan everything—EVERYTHING: titles, articles, flow, all of it. And I use “yet” thinking to guide me through. As a result, I’ve become better equipped to anticipate setbacks, I’m improving as a content creator and as a writer, and I’m seeing positive results.
The power of “yet” isn’t limited to personal challenges—it’s a mindset that can transform careers and workplaces.
Many people hit roadblocks in their professional lives and become discouraged. Then they quit, while wondering why they’re not making any progress.
Maybe you didn’t get the promotion, perhaps your big project failed. You might think “Well, I guess I’m not leadership material!”.
But add the word “yet,” and suddenly the story shifts: “I’m not leadership material yet.”
This phrase implies that growth, learning, and improvement are part of your path. It gives you permission to make mistakes and encourages resilience in the face of setbacks.
Take entrepreneurs, for instance.
The most successful ones know that failure is inevitable, but they also know that failure is never the end of the story. After a launch falls flat or that next round of investment falls through they tell themselves “Our product hasn’t taken off yet.”
They understand that success often comes after multiple iterations and refinements, and the word “yet” keeps them pushing forward.
“Yet” thinking doesn’t just apply to major achievements; it’s equally powerful in everyday life.
Maybe you’re struggling to adopt a new habit, like regular exercise. Instead of saying, “I just can’t stick with it,” say, “I haven’t stuck with it yet.” This small shift gives you room to improve without feeling like a failure.
And “yet” thinking can work wonders in personal relationships as well.
Perhaps communication with a partner isn’t where you want it to be.
Saying, “We don’t communicate well yet,” implies that the relationship can grow, evolve, and improve. It encourages effort instead of resignation.
The beauty of “yet” thinking is that it isn’t just positive thinking or empty optimism—it’s grounded in the belief that effort and persistence lead to growth.
It empowers you to view obstacles as temporary and treat skills as something that can be cultivated rather than fixed.
But this mindset doesn’t just happen on its own.
You have to deliberately practice it.
You have to give it time and attention.
Instead of beating yourself up by telling yourself, “I’m no good at this!,” pause for a moment and reframe your thinking.
Add a “yet” to your thinking, then regroup.
Challenge yourself to believe in your potential to grow and improve as you move forward. Yet-based thinking won’t eliminate the hard work ahead—it’s not a magic cure all—but it will keep you moving forward when the going gets tough.
So, the next time you feel stuck or inadequate, remember the power of “yet.”
It might just be the word that turns your setbacks into stepping stones and transforms your limitations into your greatest strengths.
In short, “yet” thinking is more than just a word—it’s a powerful mindset that fosters resilience, perseverance, and belief in your own potential.
By adopting this simple shift in language, you unlock the ability to keep moving forward, no matter how challenging the path may seem.
As always, thanks for reading.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn
If you’ve like what you’ve seen here, why not share this post with a friend?
P.S. Next time on Shaking the Tree … Who can you emulate?