Mama, do you truly understand the power of yet? To give yourself permission to be ‘in progress’? This is revolutionary! Let’s get into it…
Have you ever wondered why some individuals seem to achieve success so effortlessly and others struggle to pick up the peices after not achieving a goal first time round?
Have you ever felt like you’ll never have success in your PhD or academic career because you didn’t achieve a scholarly or personal goal or two by a certain time?
Perhaps you thought you’d be much further along by now… but here you are… still…
If this sounds like you, I want to share some insights from a TEDx talk by Dr Carol Dweck on the Power of Yet that could transform your perspective of ‘failure’, particularly as a Scholarly Mama.
By the way, if you prefer to listen to the podcast episode related to this blog post, please do use the player below:
Understanding the Power of Yet for Scholarly Mamas
To the Scholarly Mama sitting in your car right now, probably parked in the nursery’s car park, frantically reviewing research papers on your phone while waiting for pick up time. To the Scholarly Mama who’s typing her thesis with one hand while feeding the baby at 3am. To the Scholarly Mama who’s in tears over the fact that she had grand plans for this week but instead all she’s done is cuddle her sick little ones in bed because they needed her.
This post is for you…
In this post, we’ll dive into a transformative concept that has the power to reshape your entire academic journey: the power of yet. This simple three-letter word has the potential to turn your heaviest “I can’t” statements into powerful declarations of possibility.
The Science Behind the Power of Yet
The power of yet isn’t just a nice idea or a motivational catchphrase. It’s grounded in fascinating research that speaks directly to our evidence-loving Scholarly Mama minds. Dr. Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking work (at the time) on growth mindset showed us something remarkable: adding the word “yet” to our self-talk literally rewires our brain’s response to challenges.
Think about this for a moment…
When you say, “I can’t manage time effectively,” your brain accepts this as absolute fact. Your brain’s job, after all, is to make your thoughts real. But when you say, “I can’t manage time effectively yet,” you’ve created a pathway for growth. You’ve given yourself permission to be ‘in progress’, to be on the path to achieving that goal.
Implementing the Power of Yet in PhD Life
This concept is so powerful that I’ve seen it implemented in academic settings in revolutionary ways. For instance, in practical examinations I assess, we’ve replaced “pass or fail” with “competent or not yet competent.” This subtle shift removes the absoluteness of failure and acknowledges the journey of learning and skill development. It creates an environment where potential can be realised, where growth is expected, where progress is celebrated.
Why the Power of Yet Matters for Scholarly Mamas
For Scholarly Mamas, this mindset shift is particularly powerful because we’re dealing with a unique combination of pressures. We often face academic deadlines that won’t budge, family responsibilities that can’t be postponed, and quite often, a hefty dose of imposter syndrome. Many of us are also juggling careers alongside our studies.
I remember sitting one night, surrounded by papers, staring at the longest to-do list for both my thesis and my kids, crying to my husband about how impossible it all seemed. This wasn’t a one-off occurrence – believe me, there were many such nights!
Transforming Your Mindset with the Power of Yet
When I was in the throes of it all, this yet mindset shifted everything for me. It wasn’t about being perfect in all the things I was juggling – that was never the goal. It was about growing into the scholar and the Mama I knew within myself I could become. When I started telling my brain that achieving my goals was still possible, that I just wasn’t there yet, everything changed. My motivation stayed stronger, my hopes remained higher, and my self-belief became more resilient because I wasn’t working in absolutes anymore.
Practical Steps to Embrace the Power of Yet
So how can you embrace this power of yet in your own Scholarly Mama journey? Start by examining your quiet moments. How are you communicating with yourself about your goals? What’s your inner dialogue when no one else is looking?
Start by becoming aware of these limiting thoughts. Take time to track those “I can’t” statements. Write them down, every single one. Then add “yet” to each statement. Notice how this simple addition changes your thinking about what’s possible.
For example:
- “I can’t write coherently after a sleepless night” becomes “I can’t write coherently after a sleepless night… yet.”
- “I can’t blend family life with PhD life” becomes “I can’t blend family life with PhD life… yet.”
Making Progress with the Power of Yet
For each of these new “yet” statements, brainstorm one small step toward making it possible. It doesn’t have to be a giant leap – even the tiniest baby step counts if it’s taking you in the direction of your goal. Whether that’s completing your PhD, being more present with your kids, or finding better work-life integration, what’s one tiny step you can take today?
It doesn’t have to be dramatic:
- 15 minutes of focused writing
- One paragraph reviewed
- One research paper read
- One reference organized
Remember, small steps consistently taken lead to significant progress.
Celebrating Your Journey with the Power of Yet
Take time to reflect on your journey so far. Map out how far you’ve already come. Notice how many things you thought you could never do are now part of your daily routine. I never thought I could maintain a blog/podcast while writing my thesis and working a stressful job, yet here I am, eighteen months in. These reflections aren’t just feel-good exercises – they’re concrete evidence of your growth and capability.
Maybe you never thought you could:
- Write a whole section of your thesis while juggling a busy period at work
- Present at conferences as a Mama
- Meet your PhD milestones while managing a household
- Find time for research in-between the school runs
These achievements prove that “yet” is more than just a word – it’s a promise of possibility.
Overcoming Obstacles with the Power of Yet
You might encounter obstacles as you embrace this new way of thinking. Maybe you’ve been stuck on a chapter for months, feeling like you’re going nowhere fast.
Remember that being stuck is not a permanent state – it’s just a pit stop on your journey. If you’re a Formula One fan like me, you’ll know that even the fastest cars need pit stops, but they’re still very much in the race.
The Universal Application of the Power of Yet
Perhaps you’re thinking, “But my circumstances are different.”
Yes, every journey is unique, but the power of yet is universally applicable. This isn’t about circumstances – it’s about creating thoughts that serve your bigger goals. If children can grasp and apply this concept, we as Scholarly Mamas certainly can too.
The Ripple Effect of the Power of Yet
Remember that as a Scholarly Mama, you’re not just working on a PhD or doctorate. You’re showing your children what persistence looks like. You’re demonstrating what ambition looks like. You’re modeling what self-love looks like. You’re not just writing a thesis – you’re writing a new story about what’s possible for you as a Scholarly Mama.
Building Community Through the Power of Yet
And if you’re thinking, “I can’t do this alone,” add your “yet” to that statement too!
Because you’re not alone on this journey. There are communities like ours out there ready to witness your growth, share in your challenges, and celebrate your victories. Sharing your “yet” goals with others who understand your journey can amplify your commitment and create valuable accountability. Plus, seeing others overcome similar challenges reminds us that we’re not alone.
Embracing Your Journey with the Power of Yet
These are big, lofty goals – I get it. I have them too. But just because something is hard doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It simply means you’re not there yet. And if you can’t see the whole path ahead of you, that’s okay too. You don’t need to see the entire staircase to take the first step.
The power of yet – such a tiny word with such enormous potential. This week, I challenge you to add “yet” to those thoughts that make you question your capabilities. Notice how it changes the game for you. Remember, you’re closer than you think to achieving your goals. It’s all in the power of yet.
You’re not just working toward a degree – you’re literally trailblazing for every Mama who dreams of pursuing her highest academic goals. These are significant ambitions, and they’re not easy. But difficulty doesn’t equal impossibility – it just means you’re not there yet. And that’s perfectly okay, because “yet” means you’re on your way.
Remember, Mama, you’re not just working on a PhD – you’re showing your children what persistence looks like. You’re demonstrating that ambition and motherhood can beautifully coexist. You’re writing a new story about what’s possible for academic moms everywhere. And if right now you’re thinking “I can’t see how,” just remember to add that powerful little word: yet.
Remember Mama, these are our journeys of becoming!
With much love and gratitude,
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