Introduction

Many times, we perceive successful individuals as shining and achieving their goals effortlessly, without any struggle.

However, it’s important to remember that everyone starts somewhere. 

You may not be there yet, but embracing the power of yet can help you acknowledge your struggles, set clear goals, and develop the right system to reach your desired destination. 

This goes beyond just having a growth mindset or achieving goals; 

It’s about honest self-communication, setting expectations and trusting yourself.

In this article, we will explore how you can utilise the power of yet to enhance your growth as a leader.

The Power of Yet: Steps to Take

To effectively utilise the power of yet, follow these steps:

1. Clarify the gap 

Identifying and understanding the gap between where you currently are and where you want to be. 

This requires introspection and self-awareness. Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement to gain clarity on the specific challenges and actions required to bridge that gap. 

Story: Sarah, a passionate young professional, is determined to make an impact on climate change. She wonders where to begin to bridge the gap and reach her vision. To clarify her vision, she starts by identifying unknown factors and strategising with key questions. She conducts research, seeks advice from experts, and finds her own answers along the way. Filled with energy and motivation, she takes action, knowing her vision is a work in progress. With a clear purpose, Sarah is committed to making strides toward her goal and creating a meaningful impact on climate change.

Action idea:

• Determine what kind of projects you need to work on to grow, such as addressing climate change, exploring mobility solutions, or integrating craft and technology in the circular economy.
• Find someone you admire and identify the specific qualities or achievements you aspire to have, such as becoming a sought-after public speaker, acquiring a startup company, publishing successful books, or engaging in regular commissioned research projects.
• Envision your desired state of mind, whether it’s being grounded and content with regular challenges or feeling inspired and confident.
• Design your environment in a way that aligns with how you want it to be.

Clarity on what you want to be doing tells you what you need to work on now – that’s where the power of yet comes in.

2. Establish a Timeline

By connecting point A (where you are) to point B (where you want to be), you create a timeline for your journey. It’s essential to understand that completing actions and milestones along this timeline is important, even if some parts are imperfect.

Progress is not always linear, and each piece of the puzzle influences the others. 

It’s better to take imperfect action than no action at all. 

Embrace “the power of yet” and focus on progress in the right direction.

Story: Tobias is a coach who wants to gain consistent clients. As a solopreneur, he envisions having a perfect website, an efficient onboarding system, irresistible offers, engaging and consistent messages, content creation, reaching out to prospects, and establishing strong personal branding. The thought of accomplishing all these tasks can be overwhelming and time-consuming. However, Tobias recognised that these steps were crucial for achieving his long-term goal. He applied the power of ‘yet’ and created a system that allows him to focus on three key areas at a time, steadily improving step by step, just like performing weight exercises to get toned gradually. 

 Action idea: Decide on the easiest next step and stay focused. Remember, no matter how small it may seem, each step you take brings you closer to your goal. Keep moving forward, connecting the dots along your timeline, and gradually progress toward reaching point B. 

3. Adapt as You Progress 

As you make progress towards your goals, you will gain clarity on the next steps and potential opportunities. However, it’s essential to stay aligned with your values and desired outcome. While the temptation to keep your options open may arise, doing so could hinder your progress. Stay true to your values and let them guide you as you navigate your journey.

Story: Sammy is a skilled textile practitioner and academic researcher with expertise in technique, innovation, sustainability, and community building. With her impressive skills and intelligence, Sammy’s path is wide open. She sees multiple separate routes and struggles to connect all the pieces together in her vision.  The power of ‘yet’ presents a golden opportunity with hidden treasures. Instead of focusing on what she could do or was given, Sammy shifts her focus to what she wants and why. As soon as Sammy applies these new perspectives, she knows how to adapt as she progresses.  

Action idea: Dive deep into your natural talents and passions, engaging in the activities that bring you joy and that you do well. Whether it’s creating events to connect people, decluttering to establish a calm and productive space or baking a perfect cheesecake, prioritise these innate abilities over your qualification, skills or experiences. Nurture these talents as they possess the potential to lead you toward a unique impact in your chosen journey.  

Conclusion: How to Use ‘The Power of Yet’ to Grow as a Leader.

The power of yet is empowering mindset that can help you move to the next level. However, the ownership of designing your outcome lies in your hand. 

Stay focused on your desired outcome, adapt as you progress, and take imperfect action along the way. 

Use your talents and values to lead your way, as keeping your options wide open may hinder your progress.

If you’re ready to design your exact outcome and take your leadership skills to the next level, let’s connect. Book a 30mins free discovery call here.

The Bio:

Hello, I’m Junko, your strategy coach & facilitator. 

For over a decade, I’ve guided mindful professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives on a transformative journey to find clarity and build systems that intentionally align, lead, and transform.

We focus on where you want to go, what you have and what you can do well – master the sustainable growth process. We take an easy and fun approach. Let’s use your strength, expertise and personality to move you to the next level.