When we say, I can’t do this, it feels like a dead end. But when we add yet—I can’t do this yet—we shift our mindset to one of growth, resilience, and possibility.
In our household, we don’t use the word failure. Instead, we believe in learning, persistence, and knowing that hard things take time. I grew up struggling with reading, not learning until I was 13, and when I received an E in my English GCSE the first time, I felt like I had failed. But looking back, I hadn’t failed—I just hadn’t mastered it yet.
This shift in thinking changes everything, especially for neurodivergent individuals, parents, and entrepreneurs.
‘Yet’ in Parenting: Teaching Resilience to Our Children
As parents, we see our children learning every day. They might struggle with tying their shoelaces, reading a book, or riding a bike. It’s easy to say, I can’t do this, but when we encourage them with You haven’t mastered it yet, we help them build confidence and perseverance.
Ms. Rachel, a well-loved early childhood educator, often says:
“I can do hard things.”
This simple phrase reminds children that struggle is part of learning. It’s a message we can all benefit from.
‘Yet’ and Neurodivergence: Changing the Narrative
For those of us who are neurodivergent—autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, or dyspraxic—traditional learning environments can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to internalize messages like I’ll never be good at this or I’m not smart enough.
But replacing those thoughts with I haven’t found what works for me yet allows us to keep moving forward. Instead of:
❌ I can’t read fast enough.
✅ I haven’t found the best reading strategy yet.
❌ I’m not good at time management.
✅ I haven’t found the right system for me yet.
Words shape the way we think, and the way we think shapes our self-worth.
The Role of ‘Yet’ in Business and Leadership
In entrepreneurship and leadership, yet is the key to innovation. Every successful leader, advocate, or creator faces setbacks. But saying, This idea hasn’t worked yet keeps us open to new solutions.
Joy Foster, the founder of TechPixies, an award-winning company that empowers women to return to work, believes in the power of yet. She champions digital confidence and lifelong learning, showing that no matter where you start, you can always improve. Her work proves that skills can be developed at any stage in life—it’s just a matter of practice and persistence.
Practical Ways to Use ‘Yet’ in Everyday Life
• Reframe your self-talk – Whenever you catch yourself saying I can’t do this, add yet and see how it changes your mindset.
• Teach your child resilience – Use phrases like You’re still learning or You can do hard things to build their confidence.
• Apply it to personal goals – If something feels out of reach, remind yourself that learning takes time.
Words are powerful. They shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. Yet is not just a word—it’s a mindset.
So the next time you feel stuck, ask yourself: What haven’t I achieved—yet?
References:
• Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House.
• Foster, J. (n.d.). TechPixies: Helping Women Gain Digital Confidence. Retrieved from https://techpixies.com
• Ms. Rachel (Songs for Littles). (n.d.). I Can Do Hard Things!
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If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?
The bad and your parenting journey 