The Amazing Power of Yet

The Power Of Yet

[Author’s Note: This post was originally written in September 2019, right as my son was starting fourth grade.]

My son started fourth grade this week, and on his first day he brought home something from his teacher that I found profound and inspiring. As he was excitedly recounting his first day, and telling us about old and new friends, his new locker and how he intends to decorate it, he pulled out a piece of paper sent home by his teacher.

The paper was titled “The Power of Yet” and it contained some simple advice. The essential idea is that if you end every sentence of self doubt with the word “yet” you can turn that self doubt into something empowering.

“I don’t understand” becomes “I don’t understand… yet.”

“I haven’t achieved my goals” becomes “I haven’t achieved my goals… yet.”

You get the idea. Simple right? Incredibly so, but in my experience the most powerful ideas are almost always the simplest ones. The power of the idea is almost always related to the simplicity of the idea. At least for me.

After we taped this up, I did a quick internet search. This apparently isn’t a new idea. But it was new to me, and thus I share it with you.

How does this connect to our work at The Latimer Group? Let me count the ways! You will be more persuasive when you are more positive and confident. Your leadership will be stronger. You will be a better teammate. You will be happier and feel more empowered. Shall I go on? I can do this all… day… long.

The human mind is an amazing thing, an amazing “place.” When we nurture our minds with ways to empower ourselves and stay positive, we unlock potential inside ourselves that may be limitless.

I learned something from my son yesterday… or rather, from his teacher, who shared this simple and amazingly powerful idea. And I am extremely grateful it.

The Power of Yet. Pass it on.

Have a great day.

Does your team:
– Take too long to make decision?
– Fail to ask for what it wants or needs from you?
– Make things too complicated?
– Deliver unconvincing or disorganized presentations?
– Have new hires who are unprepared to communicate in the workplace?

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Dean Brenner

A book about change

The Latimer Group’s CEO Dean Brenner is a noted keynote speaker and author on the subject of persuasive communication. He has written three books, including Persuaded, in which he details how communication can transform organizations into highly effective, creative, transparent environments that succeed at every level.