When you’re trying something new—or pushing into territory you don’t fully understand—the internal voice often says, “I can’t do this,” but what changes everything is adding one small word: yet. Suddenly “I can’t” becomes “I can’t … yet.” It shifts the narrative from a dead end to a possibility.
In this article, we’ll walk through:
- Fixed vs. growth mindsets
- Why yet fits so powerfully within growth thinking
- Real-world examples (with context)
- Research that supports the concept
- Practical ways to use “yet” in work, learning, leadership, and parenting
- Warnings and limits
- A free resource bundle you can download
Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset
Psychologist Carol Dweck coined the distinction between two core beliefs:
- Fixed mindset — the idea that intelligence or ability is static and you either have it or you don’t.
- Growth mindset — the belief that you can develop skills and capacities over time through effort, learning, and strategy.
With a fixed mindset, failure feels like a verdict: I’m not cut out for this. With a growth mindset, failure becomes feedback: What can I try differently? Schools and organizations that teach growth mindset often see better resilience and performance when challenges arise.1
“Yet” is a linguistic hook that helps shift from fixed thinking to growth thinking. It adds temporal distance, reminding you that you’re in process, not at a permanent limit.
Why “Yet” Works (With Research Support)
Here’s what research and thought leaders tell us about the power of this small word:
- A psychological study found that participants holding a growth mindset showed greater brain activity around error detection and improved performance after mistakes, thus they used errors to course-correct rather than shut down.2
- Educators who intentionally insert “yet” into feedback often report that students feel less discouraged by failure and more motivated to try again.3
“Yet” nudges your brain to reframe a problem from “I’m stuck” to “I’m learning.” It invites curiosity instead of judgment.
Real Stories That Illustrate “Yet”
Stories make the idea more concrete. Below are three you can use—with enough context so they land even for readers unfamiliar with the figures.
Stephen King
Before Carrie was published, he faced around 30 rejections. He didn’t interpret those rejections as proof he lacked talent, but as “not yet.” Over time, persistence and refinement won.
Stephen Curry (NBA Star)
Stephen Curry is a professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors, known as one of the best shooters in NBA history. Early in his career, scouts said he was too small and lacked explosiveness. But he treated those doubts as fuel, focusing on constant improvement. His disciplined mindset and emphasis on skill development reflect a classic “yet” approach.4 5
Gary Neville (Soccer / Football, UK)
As a youth, Neville was often passed over for bigger or flashier players. Coaches told him he lacked what it takes. But he stayed consistent, refined his skills, and eventually played at the highest levels, showing what “not yet” can build over time.
Each story follows the same arc: initial defeat, persistence, and eventual success—all driven by a belief in progress over perfection.
How to Make “Yet” Practical in Your Life or Work
Here’s your toolkit. These practices ensure “yet” isn’t just a buzzword but a daily habit.
- Reframe negative self-talk
Swap “I can’t do this” for “I can’t do this yet.”
Instead of “This is too hard,” say, “This is too hard for me right now.” - Give feedback that includes effort + strategy
Avoid generic praise (“great job”). Instead: “You worked hard, tried multiple approaches, and adjusted—that’s smart.”
Use “not yet” in coaching: “You haven’t nailed this yet. Let’s see what you’ve tried and where to go next.” - Keep a “Yet Journal” or log
Start by writing down things you can’t do yet.
Revisit this list periodically and mark off items you can do now. - Model “yet” language publicly
If you lead a team or teach, admit when you don’t know something … yet.
Be transparent about your own growth journey (e.g. “I haven’t mastered this yet, but here’s how I plan to improve.”) - Structure your progress
Use bite-sized goals or sprints.
Pair “yet” statements with specific next actions (“I can’t do ___ yet, but I will spend two work sessions learning ___.”) - Normalize failure as feedback
Make space for debriefs after setbacks.
Ask: What worked? What didn’t? What will we try next?
Use failures publicly (where appropriate) as examples of learning and iteration.
Where “Yet” Shines — And Where It Can Fall Short
Best domains for “yet”
- Learning new skills (coding, public speaking, design)
- Creative or artistic projects (writing, music, art)
- Leadership, coaching, and teamwork
- Parenting and teaching
- Business and entrepreneurship
Cautions and limits
- “Yet” isn’t a magic card — You still need clear goals, feedback, resources, and strategy.
- Misuse as procrastination — Saying “I can’t do it yet” without setting a plan is just delaying.
- Burnout risk — Persisting indefinitely without rest or recalibration may backfire.
- Structural barriers — Mindset helps, but sometimes constraints are external (resources, systems, access) and need different solutions.
- Over-simplification — “Yet” works best when paired with action and accountability, not as a substitute for them.
Footnotes & Resources
- Stanford Teaching Commons — Growth Mindset and Enhanced Learning
https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/… - Association for Psychological Science — Carol Dweck on Growth Mindsets
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/dweck-growth-mindsets - American Montessori Society — The Power of Yet: Helping Children Develop a Growth Mindset
https://amshq.org/blog/child-psychology/2023-08-16-8-the-power-of-yet-helping-children-develop-a-growth-mindset - Inc. — NBA Star Steph Curry and the Growth Mindset
https://www.inc.com/joe-hirsch/you-need-a-growth-mindset-and-nba-star-steph-curry-can-teach-you-how-to-get-one.html - ABC News — How Stephen Curry’s Confidence Drives His Success
https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/stephen-curry-confidence-nbas-top-player-drives-success/story?id=35938440
About the Author
Kathy Bales is a digital marketing strategist, mindset mentor, and media distribution expert. With more than two decades of experience helping entrepreneurs and small business owners grow online, Kathy blends tech know-how with personal development insights to make “the geeky stuff” human-friendly.
When she’s not building funnels or creating digital resources, you’ll find her reading, traveling for art, or volunteering in her West Texas community.
💻 Visit KathyBales.com for tools, training, and inspiration to support your entrepreneurial journey.