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What if the secret to achieving more isn’t about working harder—but thinking and feeling differently?
I recently delivered a keynote that, as always, centered around the power of saying “Yes, And.” However this time, I introduced some new material that got me thinking more deeply about how we approach our goals and challenges.
Timing can be tricky when trying out fresh content, and in this case, I had a short section at the end that I marked as “optional”—in case time allowed. Unfortunately, it didn’t. But rather than letting that content go to waste, I wanted to share it with you here because it’s something I believe could make a significant impact on how you pursue your goals.
The Premise: Goals, Strategies, and Tactics Are Not Enough
When we’re working toward a goal or trying to solve a problem, most of us instinctively focus on the tangible elements: goals, strategies, and tactics. And while these are crucial, they are not the complete picture. In fact, focusing on these alone can leave you feeling like you’re constantly trying to ice skate uphill.
What’s missing? Mindset and Emotion.
- Mindset: What is your mindset regarding the goal, or about the strategies and tactics you’re planning to use? Is it a “yes, but” mindset—where you see obstacles and limitations—or is it a “yes, and” mindset—where you acknowledge challenges but also see possibilities?
- Emotion: How do you feel about the Goals, Strategies, and Tactics? Are you overwhelmed, stressed, or resentful? Or are you positive, energized, optimistic, and motivated?
When you have both the right mindset and the right emotional state, everything else flows much more smoothly. Without them, even the best goals, strategies, and tactics can feel like an uphill battle.
In the keynote I covered info about how this all worked and why it was important, but I had to cut out the section on specific actions items the audience could take to start implementing “Yes, And” mindset and emotions right away. So I am sharing them now:
Individually: Cultivate Personal Resilience
On a personal level, adopting a “Yes, And” mindset requires both self-awareness and intentional practice.
- Pause: Often, our default response is a “yes, but,” especially in emotionally charged situations. This snap judgment can be driven by fear, frustration, or stress. By training yourself to pause before responding, you create a space to choose a more constructive approach.
- Choose: After pausing, ask yourself: Do I want to use a “yes, and” or a “yes, but” response? Consider your current emotional state—are you feeling defensive, anxious, or overwhelmed? If so, is this the most useful emotion for this moment? By consciously choosing your mindset and emotional response, you can shift the trajectory of the conversation, the task at hand, and ultimately, your success.
By focusing on these areas you can begin to cultivate a “Yes, And” mindset and emotional resilience that will not only enhance your work but also transform the way you approach challenges in every aspect of your life.
If you’re a leader who would like to know how to implement this same process with your team or organization, stay tuned! I’ll be covering that next week....or get in touch here. 🙂