The Power of Yet

I learned about the power of yet from psychological researcher Carol Dweck, who coined the term growth mindset. Instead of saying “I can’t do this,” saying “I can’t do this… yet,” shifts the feeling of finality to one of possibility and perseverance.The world is always rushing to resolve itself as if in a perpetual, “Are we there yet?” loop. To get to the next thing before the present thing is fully felt or experienced. But you don’t have to rush. You’re allowed to linger longer. You have permission to take your time. You get to “Sit and feast on your life,” as Derek Walcott urges in the closing lines of one of my favorite poems, Love After Love.