The Power of ‘Yet’: How Founders Can Reframe Progress, According to Surabhishenoy

In a recent LinkedIn post, Surabhishenoy explores the transformative power of a single word – ‘yet’ – and its critical role in the entrepreneurial journey. Surabhishenoy highlights how embracing this word can fundamentally alter a founder’s perception of progress, especially when faced with the inherent challenges and often invisible advancements in building a business.

The core of Surabhishenoy’s message revolves around the concept of a growth mindset, referencing the work of Carol Dweck. The post emphasizes that shifting from definitive statements of inadequacy to acknowledging a current state of development can profoundly impact motivation and resilience.

“I’m bad at this.”

But:

“I’m not good at this 𝘺𝘦𝘵.”

As Surabhishenoy argues, this subtle linguistic shift redefines the feeling associated with effort. For founders, this is particularly crucial because the path to building a business is rarely linear and often characterized by periods where tangible results seem scarce.

The Founder’s Struggle with Invisible Progress

Surabhishenoy articulates the unique pressures faced by entrepreneurs, where immense effort can lead to feelings of falling short. The post describes the ongoing cycle of work, learning, decision-making, and carrying burdens that often go unnoticed by others.

You work.
You learn.
You decide.
You carry more than people know.

This relentless effort, Surabhishenoy points out, can paradoxically result in weeks ending with a sense of incompleteness, such as feeling “Not enough,” “Not there,” or “Still behind.” The danger, according to the post, is mistaking this unfinished state for outright failure.

Leveraging ‘Yet’ to Reframe Setbacks

This is where the power of ‘yet’ becomes indispensable, Surabhishenoy suggests. The word serves as a crucial reframing tool, allowing founders to acknowledge that current limitations are temporary rather than permanent indictments of their capabilities or their venture’s potential.

Understanding Incompleteness as Progress

Surabhishenoy provides several examples of how ‘yet’ can be applied to common entrepreneurial challenges, illustrating that a situation being incomplete does not mean it is not progressing effectively.

• The system is not clear yet.
• The team is not ready yet.
• The offer is not sharp yet.
• The founder is not fully who the next stage requires yet.

In Surabhishenoy’s view, these statements, when prefaced with ‘yet’, transform potential demotivators into indicators of ongoing development. It allows for the critical understanding that “Something can be incomplete and still be moving well.”

A More Truthful Question for Founders

To encourage this reframing, Surabhishenoy proposes a concluding question for founders to consider at the end of their work week:

What is not finished yet…
but moving in the right direction?

This question, Surabhishenoy notes, is designed to feel lighter and often provides a more accurate and encouraging assessment of the entrepreneurial journey than focusing solely on what remains undone. The insight underscores the importance of mindset in navigating the demanding landscape of business creation, offering a simple yet profound tool for sustained motivation and realistic optimism.