Be Resourceful: Discover 9 Ways To Elevate Your Potential

Like resilience, repsourcefulness isn’t something we are born with and isn’t just about our mindset. It is much broader than that. A large part of being resilient is about having the ability to use the material, resources, people and time effectively to manage our difficulties. Being resourceful is therefore an important way of becoming resilient. Find out what it is and how can it be used in different situations to become more resilient.

Being resourceful is a key skill to become resilient. When the economy is booming and there are plenty of resources, it is easy to do well. When the difficulties arise and resources shrink, the ones with the ability to adapt, be creative, imaginative, savvy, ingenious and shrewd will shine. As a resourceful person, you will always find a way to work towards your goals. Here is my take on what it takes to be resourceful and how you can use this skill to be successful even during the difficult periods.

What is resourcefulness?

Cambridge dictionary defines resourceful as
“Skilled at solving problems and making decisions on your own.”

American dictionary defines it as:
“Able to find and use different ways to help achieve your goals.”

Being resourceful is therefore about solving problems or achieving goals. There aren’t always easy or well-known solutions. We often need to use strategies that are limited to available reosurces only. These are the solutions we have not used before and do not (yet) know about. We therefore need to create our own strategies through step by step process of dealing with problem at hand. There are many different aspects to becoming resourceful. Here are 9 ways I have learned over the years, that you can also use to become resourceful.

1. Resourceful Mindset

Being resourceful means that solutions are not obvious or easy and we do not have access to ideal amount of resources. It is therefore difficult. A positive mindset is the first essential skill we need to maintain throughout the challenge.

• We need to channel the inner stubborn, persistent person who is patient and just keeps on trying regardless of the difficulties. The one who thinks that failure only occurs if you give up otherwise they are just lessons to learn from.
• Without the belief that we are capable, what is the point in trying? Self confidence in own abilities, skills and knowledge is needed for the resourceful mindset.
• Independent spirit is also needed as others often give up and you may be left alone to continue.
• Indomitable spirit. Problem is seen as a challenge, to test yourself, as an enemy to vanquish and until it is solved, you will not rest.
• Proactive. The one who does not leave challenges for other people to sort out. Use your initiative and take charge of your efforts to overcome the challenge.

I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.

Carl Jung

2. Deconstruct

Resourceful person does not get frustrated or stressed when encountering a problem. These are used as challenges to find solutions. Whenever we face a problem, we define it and quickly generate ideas for possible solutions.

• We need to identify an issue, clarify it and break it down into smaller parts (Deconstruction). We need to see the problem as a series of smaller steps or tasks to do rather than one large gigantic hurdle.
• Solution focused, not problem focused. Most people focus on problems. Once problem has been identified, the resourceful person does not sit around and discuss the problem for hours, in meetings or complain about it. We start thinking of possible solutions straight away and focus our energy on those.

Be solution focused, not problem focused

3. Use resources efficiently

Every problem needs resources to tackle. Think of resources as not just materials but time, energy, knowledge, other people’s help etc. Identify all the resources available and make the best and most efficient use of them. This might mean abandoning a routine solution and creating and better, more resource efficient one .

Creativity is essential skill to find new solutions. Use techniques like mind mapping, generating at least 20 different solutions regardless of how unusual they are etc to create numerous possible solutions and then identify the most appropriate one to pursue.

Survived another meeting that could have been an email

Popular meme

4. Unique solutions

Before embarking on an amazing, efficient and heroic solution, we need to pause and search for prior solutions. Ask others and with the availability of vast online resource, search online and learn how to implement similar strategies. Being resourceful isn’t about creating an amazing and unique way of doing things but making the best use of available resources.

Don’t be a hero

5. Being creative

Being creative is central tenant of resourcefulness. It is about enjoying, even having fun whilst trying to find solutions to the problem, rather than the solution itself that is the driving force. Being creative is something you have to embrace and be motivated and excited by. It isn’t means to an end but the process of finding solutions itself is the goal. This will allow you to embrace creativity and think outside the box as a default option. Enjoy creating new solutions. See the process of creating solutions as fun, motivating and energising. Once you embrace this mentality, you will get results as a bonus every time.

Enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

6. Avoid perfection

Resourceful person knows that one key hinderance in being resourceful is perfection. To achieve a “perfect” solution depends on your personal definition of perfection. This will vary between individuals. There is no one perfect solution. It depends on your goals, resources available (including time and energy) and other tasks. Avoid perfection for every problem. Embrace the concept of being “Just good enough”. This will allow you to be the person that gets things done. What is the point of doing one task “perfectly” but neglecting 3 other tasks that also needed to be done?

Focus on progress not perfection.

Bill Phillips

7. Resourceful Communication

Learn to communicate effectively to become resourceful. Develop habits and manners of a person you would like to work with. This is critical in seeking help from others. As a resourceful person, you need to enjoy connecting with others. When faced with an unusual task, communicate and find out who wants the solution and why. Help them understand why they want a solution and what exactly is the outcome they want. Use techniques like discussion, dialogue and socratic questioning to clarify what exactly is the goal and what minimum solution is desired. Use this knowledge to deconstruct essential and minimum viable solution to generate more possibilities (see step 2).

Manners maketh man (or woman)

8. Humility

Being resourceful means always learning. This includes new knowledge, skills and attitude. Being willing to learn new skills then using this to find solutions will help you improve. Over time, this learning will make you better at being resourceful. In order to learn, you need to develop people skills including collaboration, getting help and helping others. You can only learn from others if you are humble. Arrogance stops personal development.

Humility is the first step towards learning.

Robert Kiyosaki

9. Limitations

Resourceful person is always aware of own limitations and learns how to work around them. This includes using help from others and learning new skills. It is the hunger for learning that will lead you to defy your own limits otherwise they will become your prison. Remember that your limits are your “current” limits! This learning will lead to adapting to new situations and reality.

Know your limitations and then defy them

Unknown

Following the steps outlined above will help you develop the mindset of a resourceful person. This process will also give you structure to help tackle any problem in life. When feeling stuck, revisit these steps and identify which step you need to focus on and refine your attempt. Use the problem solving strategies to focus on finding solutions. Remember that life long learning is the key to being resourceful. Repeating this process over the decades will make you a formidable problem solver and more resourceful.

Enjoy the process.