Power of Yet

The Power of Yet

Looking ahead to the New Year, I’m thinking about the power of YET.

This simple, three-letter word has the power to transform how we think. And from that shift in thought, cause new actions. The distance between where we are and where we want to be can feel insurmountable. But is it really? Or is it simply that we haven’t taken action—yet?

Why do I care about the power of “yet”?

Because it’s frustrating to be stuck in the same loops: the same problems, the same self-defeating conclusions, the same insistence that change is impossible. I realize other people’s struggles aren’t mine to solve. I have my own challenges and my attention will be best directed there, a skill I haven’t mastered—yet.

Part of solving any problem is defining it clearly. Maybe that’s why we revisit and redefine our struggles so often. There’s value in this—it brings focus. But once the problem is defined, what next? Too often, we trap ourselves in the language of “can’t,” “haven’t,” “never,” “don’t,” and “won’t.”

Adding “yet” to any negative thought opens up a world of possibility. It might feel strange at first, which is fine. Start small. Whisper it in your mind. If thinking an offbeat thought feels awkward, it may be just another hurdle you haven’t overcome—yet.

Try this: add “yet” to negatively framed thoughts:

• “I’m not in a regular exercise routine—yet.”

• “My relationships aren’t working—yet.”

• “I haven’t got my finances in order—yet.”

• “I don’t know how to (whatever)—yet.”

• “My career is not on the path I want—yet.”

Harnessing the power of “yet” begins with a single, honest conversation. Let’s ask - “Would we rather have intimidating problems, or problems that are in the process of being solved?”

To embrace “YET” and move forward, we can ask “what will be needed to start?”

We may be stopped by our thought patterns. But, we can interrupt the pattern.

“What will be needed to start?” I haven’t thought about that part……yet, but I am ready.

“I know I have to do “X”…… But I don’t know how much “X” costs…………..yet.”

Now we can stop stopping ourselves. There are ways to start. There are ways through!

As we move into the New Year, let’s remember: we’re all works in progress.

Here’s to a year of growth, one “yet” at a time.

This illustration was created by Barry Seidel, using Dall-E.

Comments on my posts are always welcome and appreciated!