End with a “yet”

We all have moments when we are insecure and feel like we’re not good enough. When you start to feel that insecurity creeping in, remember that making mistakes is okay. In fact, making mistakes is an essential part of the learning process.

One of the best tips I ever received is to add the word “yet” to the end of any sentence that starts with “I can’t,” “I don’t,” or “I’m not.” Even if it’s just said mentally, the word can help open a door your brain is trying to close. It introduces the possibility that you could say:

This is a great tip to teach kids how to turn setbacks into learning opportunities. Instead of getting discouraged by setbacks, we can use them as opportunities to learn and grow. By adding the word “yet” to the end of a sentence, we can shift our mindset from defeat to possibility. For example, “I’m not a great cook … yet,” or “I’m not very good at math … yet.”