Growth Mindset: The Power of "Yet"

“Yet.” A powerful three-letter word that means, “an implied time, still, even or nevertheless”.

There seems to be a phenomenon going around the world that I personally find amazing! It’s reaching schools, churches, and people in general….it’s the power of the little word “yet.” In a world depleted of hope; in a world of wanting what we want, when we want; it expresses our required patience and belief in one’s self or another person’s abilities to realize that some things are worth waiting for and those things take work, time and don’t always come in the form of anything that could be remotely easy. It’s not counting someone’s socioeconomic status as an excuse for success or failure; it’s a “You can do it!” attitude. It’s a type of “hope” that we have, and it’s not easy, but if you really think about it, it is exactly the process that allows for success; the power of YET.

Dweck’s Growth Mindset

Recently I attended a PLC (Professional Learning Community) meeting and our leader for that day presented us with Carol Dweck’s “The Power of Believing that You can Improve” video and its content was amazing. I was so taken aback by her concepts, and was so thrilled to see things from a perspective that I’ve always held near and dear to my heart but was never able to express; the power of yet or not yet. Dweck’s concept is based on the premise that we are all on a learning journey, and that just because you haven’t accomplished a task yet, does not mean that you cannot or should not try and certainly that you should not give up. Your “yet” is coming, your “yet” is not yet here. It’s a type of hope that is instilled in us to not give up. The creators of TED TV were so impressed with Dweck, that they invited her to speak on the subject. The makers at Sesame Street were so impressed with the concept they made a song about it.  If you think about it, it is the power of hope, the power of believing, the power of the Growth Mindset, that says, “I believe in you, give it a try, encourage one another.” The power of yet!

Flap Harder Penguin and You Can Fly?

“Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish on it’s ability to climb a tree, it’s live its whole life believing it is stupid.” ~Albert Einstein

Now, lest you say that this is another one of those “flap harder penguin and you can fly” type of statements, let me set you straight, because that simply is not the case. Yes, statistics show that low socioeconomic factors vs high socioeconomic factors can determine test scores, but why is that so? A belief pattern perhaps? A fixed mindset perhaps? Maybe, maybe not, but how can believing in someone be all bad? How can having hope be all bad? Many would say that one is setting up one for failure. Yet, how many of us have seen someone believe in inner-city kids and have watched them fly up the ladder of success as a result? So, least you think that building false hope or empty praise is the goal, Dweck address this topic as well. She states that giving praise for praise’s sake is exactly what we are NOT to do. We need to guide students specifically, not superficially; we praise their effort. We are not asking penguins to fly, but we are showing them that they certainly could be excellent swimmers, and celebrating their efforts towards success in doing so. We’ve all seen the students; the one’s that other teachers say will “never amount to anything.” How many times were they completely written off by society and educators, only to find success?

Answer the Call

Education and the “Power of Yet” is a process towards a hope for the future. One thing builds upon another. Baby steps. Life is a journey, not a destination. Perhaps we need to enjoy and celebrate our student’s journey (as well as our own) a little bit more. Whether you’re a penguin or an eagle, you have the potential for growth. You have the potential to develop your skills. You have the potential to “fly” in your own way. Sometimes the only person that might believe in you is you, but it’s that effort, and that belief from others as well that can catapult you towards success that you may not have ever found otherwise.  I personally am a fan of that three-lettered word “YET!” It really is a POWERFUL little word, if you think about it!

Further Reading:

 “Hope” is the Thing With Feathers ~by Emily Dickenson

Answer the Call

I Cor 3: 1-2