How a small, simple word makes a big difference in boosting your resilience
Just recently, one of my grandsons embarked on the journey of learning to tie his shoes.
A simple task for many of us now, but remember back to your own experiences.
Wasn’t it a daunting challenge as a child?
The concentration and precision required, the interplay of fingers and laces – it can indeed be overwhelming for a little one.
As when any of us are learning new skills, my grandson has moments of frustration when his dedicated effort does not yield the expected result – a tied shoe.
In these moments of discouragement, when he looks up at me and says, “Oma, I can’t do it!” – I draw upon the wisdom of renowned psychologist and Growth Mindset pioneer, Carol Dweck.
Through her extensive research, Dweck has demonstrated how a small, yet powerful word can significantly influence our mindset and our resilience.
That word is “yet”.
A seemingly innocuous term, but its power lies in the possibility it suggests.
It’s an invitation to keep trying, to continue working, and to never concede defeat.
It underlines the idea that with continued practice, persistence, and learning from our mistakes, we can tap into our potential and overcome challenges.
When my grandson says he can’t tie his shoes, my response to him is, “You haven’t learned how to tie your shoes, yet. Keep practicing, you’ll get there.” I watch as his eyes light up with renewed determination.
He is learning the power of perseverance.
Now, what if we apply this mindset to the adult world, to the professional challenges we face every day?
Perhaps it’s a staffing problem, team infighting, or implementing a new system – all scenarios that can induce stress and feelings of overwhelm.
How about putting into practice a three-step formula to shift our mindset from a negative space to a positive belief in our abilities to tackle any challenge:
- Acknowledge the reality of the challenge you’re facing.
- Affirm the situation with the word “yet”.
- Conclude on a positive note, emphasizing personal agency to figure out the challenge.
Here are some examples:
“We haven’t figured out how to solve our staffing problem, yet. The more we open our minds to strategies we haven’t tried before, we’ll eventually find a solution.”
“My team isn’t working collaboratively, yet. We have the tools and the willingness to create a healthy workplace.”
“The new system isn’t as easy to use as the old one, yet. With practice and patience, we’ll master it and improve our productivity.”
See how “yet” subtly shifts the perspective from problem-focused to solution-oriented?
Reflect on your current challenges.
How can you incorporate the transformative power of “yet” into your approach?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, and how you plan to use this small, simple word to bolster your resilience and encourage a growth mindset in your professional journey.
Remember, the only limit to your growth is the one you impose on yourself. It’s not that you can’t – it’s that you haven’t… yet.
About the author
Bonnie Artman Fox, MS, LMFT works with executive leaders who want to gain self-awareness about the impact of their words and actions and up-level their interpersonal skills.
Drawing from decades as a psychiatric nurse and licensed family therapist, Bonnie brings a unique perspective to equip executive leaders with the roadmap to emotional intelligence that brings teams together.
Bonnie’s leadership Turnaround coaching program has an 82% success rate in guiding leaders to replace abrasive behavior with tact, empathy, and consideration of others. The end result is a happy, healthy, and profitable workplace…sooner vs. later.
About the author
Bonnie Artman Fox, MS, LMFT works with executive leaders who want to gain self-awareness about the impact of their words and actions and up-level their interpersonal skills.
Drawing from decades as a psychiatric nurse and licensed family therapist, Bonnie brings a unique perspective to equip executive leaders with the roadmap to emotional intelligence that brings teams together.
Bonnie’s leadership Turnaround coaching program has an 82% success rate in guiding leaders to replace abrasive behavior with tact, empathy, and consideration of others. The end result is a happy, healthy, and profitable workplace…sooner vs. later.