By Jonathan Massey –
In case you were wondering, there are around 470,000 words in the “Merriam-Webster Dictionary.” This begs the question: Just how did I determine the most powerful?
Is it the longest word: pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis?
Nope.
Actually, the word is only three letters long. However, those three letters, when used in the right way, can make such an impact.
The most powerful word for me is the word “yet.”
Why is “yet” the most powerful word in the English language? When you add “yet” to the end of a sentence, you completely change its connotation.
You can say, “I don’t understand it,” or you could say, “I don’t understand it yet.”
I know which one I would prefer to hear as a teacher.
You can say, “I don’t have a good curveball,” or you can say, “I don’t have a good curveball yet.”
I don’t throw enough strikes… Or I don’t throw enough strikes yet.
I don’t throw hard… Or I don’t throw hard yet.
Why is “yet” the most powerful word in the dictionary? Because of what it does to the brain. When you say I can’t throw hard, or I can’t throw strikes, what you are really saying to your subconscious is, “I’ll never be that person or be able to do that thing, so why try?”.
At The Texas Baseball Ranch®, we have our six primary constraints to high-level performance:
- Mindset
- Physical: Mobility/Stability
- Movement Pattern: Mechanical Efficiency
- Preparation: Wake-up/Warm-up
- Workload/Recovery
- Skill-specific Strength
There’s a reason mindset is listed first. It’s because having the right mindset or not having the right mindset changes everything. I know I can help someone throw harder. I know I can help someone throw more strikes. I also know I can’t help someone throw harder if they don’t believe they can or help someone throw more strikes who doesn’t think they can throw more strikes.
So, next time you find yourself saying you can’t do something, just remember that little but powerful word, “YET.” Add it to the end of your statement to get yourself back in the right mindset!
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Important TBR Updates
- Registration for our 2025 “Summer Intensive Development Program” is now open! Visit www.TexasBaseballRanch.com/events to take advantage of our “Early Bird” rates for the summer program. The Early Bird deadline is March 17th.
- Registration is open for our summer Elite Pitchers Bootcamp and dates have been set:
May 24-26 (Sat-Mon)
June 6-8 (Fri-Sun)
June 20-22 (Fri-Sun)
July 4-6 (Fri-Sun)
July 18-20 (Fri-Sun)
Aug. 1-3 (Fri-Sun)
Aug. 30-Sept 2 (Sat-Mon)
To sign up or learn more CLICK HERE
- Have you been considering attending one of our 3-Day Elite Pitchers Bootcamp but are still on the fence? To help, we have a detailed information package entitled “What Makes This Boot Camp Different”. If you’d like to receive this package and start making plans for the summer, email Jill@TexasBaseballRanch.com and request a copy.
- NEW VIDEO on our YouTube Channel: “Beyond Velocity: What Actually Gets Pitchers Promoted”. Watch it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__pvqhzeKwk and share your opinion in the comments.
