Yet.

Janelle Monáe had an incredible song on Sesame Street in 2013 called “The Power if Yet” and it has been on my mind a lot lately. There are a variety of “Power of Yet” posters, mugs, workshops, t-shirts. And it makes sense. The hardest part of believing in yourself is accepting that something you don’t have or can’t do right now will eventually come. Waiting is hard. Self-doubt is powerful. 

My career as an early childhood educator can be summed up as a unique opportunity to help children develop into their future selves at their own pace. We know that children will hit the next milestone of walking, talking, writing, counting, in due time. They just aren’t there, yet. We plan experiences that will get them there through practice, multiple opportunities and lots of enthusiastic support along the way. For them, it can be frustrating to be so close to taking that first step, remembering all the letters in their name, or tying their shoe. For us, we know they’re going to get there because we’ve been down their path before. We know the time they’re putting in now will get them to their goals, they just aren’t there, yet. 

It’s easy for us. We know “yet” will come. 

But when we consider our adult goals and dreams we sometimes forget to apply “yet”. We go through the same process of practice, baby steps, and celebrating little milestones along the way. But it can still feel like our dreams will never come to fruition. But what if we applied the power of “yet”? What if we started believing we could achieve anything we wanted to even if we aren’t there, yet. 

Try it. 

You haven’t published your first book, yet. 

You haven’t run a marathon, yet, 

You don’t own a house, yet. 

You don’t have your dream job, yet. 

You’re still developing and growing. But those goals of your last are still attainable. Not having them now doesn’t mean they won’t come, they’re just not achieved, yet. 

Give power to the time and prices of growing and developing. Give power to “yet”. 

I’ve been adding this simple word to the end of my sentences and the impact is powerful. Adding this simple word is building momentum, giving me energy, and bringing my goals into focus. “Yet” drives me forward with hope and eventual certainty.  

Where can you apply the power of “yet”  to your life?