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The Power of 'Not Yet' & Pouring from an empty cup

  • Writer: Jessica Dowdall
    Jessica Dowdall
  • May 8
  • 3 min read

I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately on how we navigate the inevitable bumps in the road, both in our careers and, well, life in general. It's been especially on my mind after some recent training I did with a fantastic organisation called Lemontree, which got me thinking about some of the most impactful lessons I've learned across my career.. mostly the hard way aka going through some shit. A few years ago, I hit a wall. Personal stuff piled up at the same time I was desperately trying to balance my own health while pushing hard at work. The result? Complete burnout. It was a tough lesson, but one that truly hammered home the importance of two little phrases that have stuck with me: "The Power of 'Not Yet'" and "You can't pour from an empty cup."

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That whole "not yet" thing, thanks to Carol Dweck (American Psychologist) is a game-changer. It's like a gentle reminder that just because we haven't nailed something yet doesn't mean we're stuck. It's all about seeing challenges as chances to learn and grow, not some big, scary full stop. And honestly, that mindset? It's the backbone of being able to bounce back when things get tough for ourselves and when we're supporting others.


Which brings me to that other gem: "You can't pour from an empty cup." Seriously, how often do we forget this? We're so busy trying to be everything for everyone that we run ourselves ragged. But here's the truth: if we're running on fumes, how can we possibly be there for our teams or even have the energy to learn and grow? Leading with resilience starts with looking after ourselves, plain and simple. When we're in a good place, that positive energy? It's totally contagious.


And you know what? As we're all navigating changes and trying to make things better, I

often wake up early, put my headphones in with a podcast and watch the sunrise over

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Bristol harbour before work to clear my head.. It's a good reminder to prioritise what truly matters. It's something I often share with my team: your mental well-being comes first, then your loved ones. Work, as important as it can feel, should always fall further down that list. We kind of become these 'chief reminding officers' for each other, gently nudging towards growth and making sure we're all taking care of ourselves along the way.


I've also been thinking about how we talk to ourselves when things go wrong. Martin Seligman's "3 Ps" – Personalisation, Permanence, and Pervasiveness. It's so easy to blame ourselves for everything, think it'll last forever, and let it bleed into every part of our lives. But recognising those patterns? That's the first step to a more resilient and hopeful outlook.


Ultimately, what I'm learning (and constantly reminding myself!) is that success, the real kind.. the kind that feels good and lasts isn't just about hitting targets. It's about our well-being, our ability to keep learning and adapting, being genuinely ourselves, and connecting with others. That's the stuff that truly fills our cups and allows us to keep showing up, not just for ourselves, but for our teams too. And the recent training with Lemontree really crystallised this for me, reminding me of the importance of these principles throughout my career.


So, if you're feeling a bit stuck or drained today, remember the power of "not yet" and please, please take a moment to fill your own cup. We're all in this together. ❤️


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