The Power of Yet: Turning “Not Now” Into “Soon”

Have you ever said, “I can’t do this,” and felt the weight of that sentence crush your confidence? It’s easy to feel stuck when you’re staring down a goal you haven’t reached or a skill you haven’t mastered. But here’s the thing: you’re not stuck—you’re just not there…yet. (That is EXACTLY what I tell myself daily, so far on this journey.)

Ah, the magic of yet. It’s such a tiny word, but it carries enormous power. It’s the difference between defeat and determination, between giving up and giving it one more try. Some days it’s the difference between closing up shop or seeing another day There is so much power in that small three letter word.

The Struggle of “Not Yet”

We live in a world that glorifies instant success. Scroll through social media, and it’s all #Winning, #Goals, and #Hustle. What you don’t see is the messy middle—the late nights, the setbacks, the “almosts” and “not quites.” It’s easy to forget that everyone’s highlight reel hides a lot of hard work, struggling to carryon, hearing “no” or that you “arent ever going to be good enough”, the toll on your heart and mind.

When you’re in the thick of it, it’s tempting to think, “I’ll never get there.” But adding yet to the end of that thought changes everything.

Instead of: “I’ll never get there,” try: “I’m not there yet.”

See the difference? One closes the door; the other leaves it wide open (que Bruno Mars “🎶Leave the door open 🎶 “.)

Why Yet Matters

Yet is all about growth. It’s about recognizing that where you are now isn’t where you’ll always be. It gives you room to learn, evolve, and figure things out.

As Carol Dweck, the psychologist behind the growth mindset theory, says: “Becoming is better than being.”

Translation? The journey matters just as much as the destination. Every stumble, every almost, every “not yet” is shaping you into the person who will eventually get there.

I have always been a journey gal. Long car rides, road trips, never ending concert series of your favorite bangers with your favorite people or alone( are you ever fully alone when you are the entire band!?).

When in Doubt, Channel Lizzo

On days when it feels like you’ll never get it right, remember Lizzo’s words in “Special”:

“In case nobody told you today, you’re special / In case nobody made you believe, you’re special.”

You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. What matters is that you’re showing up, trying, and believing in the power of yet.

I have a friend, Ash Lakesha Blaine, who posted on Facebook about this very topic:

“Even when it seems like you’ve lost so much and are down to your last, remember that you don’t need a full set of pieces to win. Just keep playing and stay in the game.”

I love it so much I shared it because even if you “don’t have all the pieces right now”, change it “I don’t have all of the pieces, yet!”

I am still struggling to find the right space to host my first self produced runway show but instead I am now saying, I haven’t found the right spot, yet! And that my friends is called growth.

Embrace the Yet

So how do you embrace the power of yet when the road feels long and uncertain? Here are 4 things I did:

1. Shifted My Perspective: Instead of focusing on what I haven’t achieved, I focused on how far I’ve come. Progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

2. Set Small Goals: Break your big goals into bite-sized steps. Celebrate every little win along the way in a HUGE way(don’t break the bank, but buy something or go out and celebrate, you are worth it!)

3. Learn from the Struggle: Every “not yet” is an opportunity to grow. Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re lessons in disguise. “Failure is actually winning, when there is a lesson”-Maria Hayes

4. Be Kind to Yourself: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are dreams. Give yourself grace as you navigate the process. Also, what would you tell your friends!? Say it to yourself, in the mirror.

The Beauty of Becoming

The truth is, the power of yet isn’t just about getting to the finish line. It’s about who you become on the way there. The late nights, the failed attempts, the moments you wanted to give up but didn’t—that’s where the magic happens.

So the next time you find yourself saying, “I can’t,” add one little word: “yet.” Then take a deep breath, put on your favorite playlist, and keep moving forward.

And don’t forget Lizzo’s reminder to you, “You’re special.” And you’re just getting started.

Your Yet is Coming

Remember, life isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon with plenty of twists and turns. And every “not yet” moment you encounter is just a chapter, not the whole story. The power of yet gives you permission to keep going, to believe that what feels impossible today will be within your reach tomorrow.

So, keep striving, keep learning, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself. The road might be long, but the journey is where the magic happens. And when you finally arrive at your yet, it’ll be even sweeter because you earned it.

Now go on, dream big, work hard, and let the power of yet propel you forward. Because your best is yet to come.

I believe in you!