Change your mindset, change your world - with one word.

From the moment we are born into this world, we are met with a mile long list of seemingly endless achievements that we were expected to reach. We go from napping and eating every day, to quickly being taught shapes, primary colors, how to count to 10, and how to spell our names. As we grow and develop, each milestone is anticipated with baited breath and a round of applause. But what happens when your timeline is a little different?

We know that everyone’s timeline is unique. and even with that in mind, have you ever worked at something for so long that every part of you felt like you would never get it, looking around at your peers as they reach the summit?

Yet. Such a little word with an enormous impact on our self-esteem and motivation. What are the larger implications of 'Yet', and why is it important for us to make a choice to use it in our everyday lives, especially as educators?

Ultimately, it's because the words we speak hold power and the thoughts we have can make or break us. Positive thinking doesn't just sound good, but is actually proven to help us shift our perspective and our health outcomes. In a study by Johns Hopkins expert Lisa R. Yanek, M.P.H,  "People with a family history of heart disease who also had a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event within five to 25 years than those with a more negative outlook."

The phrase 'The Power of Yet' was first coined by world reknowned developmental psychologist Carol Dweck in her 2007 book, "Mindset", sand again in her Tedx Talk and Stanford Alumni talk, spreading spread far and wide, even making an appearance on Sesame Street! 

The book and talks extensively discuss the different types of mindset, fixed vs growth, and how success in school (and every other facet of the human experience) can be dramatically influenced by how we perceive our talents and abilities. People with a fixed mindset — those who believe that abilities are fixed — are less likely to flourish when faced with a hurdle than those with a growth mindset — those who believe that abilities can be developed. Mindset reveals how we as educators can put this idea to use to foster outstanding accomplishment with our children, especially children that have historically not been given a chance to succeed. 

Let's try it out for ourselves. Notice the difference in these two sentences: 

‘I can’t solve this division problem!’

‘I can’t solve this division problem, yet.'

You may be asking yourself... how do I bring this mindset into a learning environment? We've got a few ideas for you:

• As an educator, we get to lead by example. Try using motivating and encouraging language when talking to your student about a particular challenge they are facing.
• Praise your chiildren for the process, not always the end result - their strategies, their focus, their effort and perseverance. When we only praise talent or intelligence, that makes our children vulnerable. When we praise the process, that builds resiliency. 
• You may also want to share your own challenges that you're currently experiencing with the 'Yet' mindset.
• Remember to re-phrase your student's language when you hear them say they can't do something, to remind them that maybe they can't do it, Yet. Rome wasn't built in a day! 
• Make sure to highlight the light at the end of the tunnel, reminding them of other times they thought they couldn't do something and overcame it.
• Continue to be their cheerleader, let them see that you believe in them (and may even see something -that potential- within them that they can't see - yet)!

By adding a three letter word to the end of a sentence, we can share a gift with a child that is struggling that completely skyrockets their confidence levels and what they think they are capable of accomplishing. We can transform the meaning of effort and difficulty from a life sentence to an opportunity, from this is all I will ever be, to what can I do next! We can plant the seed that difficulty only means not yet. 

‘Yet’ shows that we are absolutely going to reach that goal. We are going to fight past the frustration of not getting it on the first (or second, or third...) try. We are going to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off. We are going to try again. That single word gives hope that in time, one day, we are going to solve that division problem, read that book, overcome that hurdle.

Remember, one day “I can’t do this” will turn into “I did it!”, and we get to be there to celebrate every moment. 

Do you use a growth mindset in your tutoring sessions, or have you tried the power of yet, we want to hear about it! Share your experiences in the comments below!

Other Resources: 

Check out Carol Dweck's Talk: Developing a Growth Mindset

Check out: Grow Kids Minds for more ideas, videos and insight.

Check out: A Million Ways to Learn to see how you can incorporate The 'Power of Yet' into your classroom or tutoring sessions.

Check out: Forbes for ideas on how to use the "Power of Yet' to encourage leadership, learning and growth in your sessions.