Is 'yet' the most important word in your vocabulary?

Picture the scene - you've been working longer days than usual, juggling multiple projects, trying to be a considerate friend and family member, managing day-to-day trials and tribulations, and you've just realised that you're falling behind on a major deadline. You can already envisage your boss's disappointment, and that feeling at the pit of your stomach when you know you haven't delivered on your promise. Many of us at this time would consider uttering the four most dangerous words your mind can think; 'I can't do this'.

It is believed that levels of stress across America are at an all time high. Whilst I'm not saying that previous generations have not suffered to similar levels in different times, I expect that there are more people saying 'I can't do this' in today's world than perhaps previous. In many walks of life we find that pressure, and subsequent stress, are part and parcel of the daily grind. Whether you're a student looking to improve your GPA, a member of the services trying to save a life, a parent trying to get the kids to sleep, or an executive looking to close out the quarter, pressure is ever-present for a lot of us.

The discussion about pressure can be framed in a number of ways. One of the key drivers of success in any discipline is internal pressure. That deeply ingrained drive to be the best version of yourself, and to boldly go to paths untraveled. This intrinsic motivation can be the difference between success and failure in many instances, and through discussions with colleagues, friends, family and associates I started to wonder what it is that keeps some people performing in high-pressure situations whilst others struggle.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with challenging situations. Everyone works in different ways and responds to scenarios with varying degrees of certainty or instinct. This article's focus however is on one word which can completely change the way we frame our mindset when tackling problems - yet.

By adding one word to these moments of doubt we are able to entirely change these self deprecating thoughts, instead framing our doubts in ways which are aspirational, target-driven challenges which can be met. Furthermore, by re-framing these thoughts we are naturally more open to deliberating ideas to find solutions, instead of becoming hung up on our apparent inability to complete the task at hand.

'I don't know how we can achieve this... yet '

'I don't know where my sales are coming from this month... yet '

'I can't speak in front of crowds... yet '

'I don't know anything about this report I'm writing... yet '

I've previously written about the importance of adopting a solutions-mindset, and I firmly believe that making 'yet' more prevalent in our daily vocabulary improves our chances of finding solutions to complex problems. We are unable to control most things in the world, but what we can influence is the way we approach times of great challenge. We all experience moments of doubt, especially when stakes are high, but we can all also proactively seek the tools required to manage our mental well-being during pressure situations, and re-frame these internal thoughts in a more positive way - ultimately increasing chances of success against the odds. I'm not saying that this will solve all of our problems, or even that you'll actually hit that deadline, but you've got a much greater chance when thinking proactively instead of worrying about what might have been.

Next time you think you don't know how to do something, remind yourself that you simply don't know how to do it... yet.