How to Be Resourceful and Make Things Happen


by Paul Gorney

When I think of being resourceful I can't help but recall the TV show MacGyver that ran in the late 1980's. MacGyver would always find himself in some kind desperate life and death situation. Every episode, he would figure a way out of the jam using nothing more than some common household products that happened to by lying around and his multi-purpose Swiss army knife. He never panicked in the face of disaster. He always kept his cool and used his instincts and know how to ensure he would make it to the next week's episode.

To be resourceful means having the ability to deal with often unexpected and sometimes difficult situations. It's been my experience that many times the appropriate action to take is not obvious. In fact, most of the time we're not quite sure what to do when unexpected or difficult situations arise.

Another view being resourceful means having to go beyond your natural resources to accomplish something or perhaps solve a problem. The situation goes beyond your current experiences, natural inherent skills or training you may have had. We are all faced with these situations from time to time. In many cases, I've seen people just give up and take the attitude I can't deal with this. Or they feel victimized by the situation. The "always me syndrome". This is a very limiting approach. In the face of adversity and challenge comes progress, growth and achievement. Some of my greatest achievements and learning have come from being in a situation where I have no clue what to do. However, I just begin to take some kind of action and sooner or later I figure it out. Many times I am trying many different things often with a high degree of urgency, until I resolve the dilemma successfully.

It's important to note that there are no unresourceful people only unresourceful attitudes. We are all born with the natural ability to accomplish great things in our lives. To achieve whatever we set our minds on. The next time you find yourself in difficult situation do a quick check in with yourself and ask, "What would be the most resourceful attitude for me to have right now?" Remember the quote from Henry Ford "Whether you think you can or think you can't - you're right?" Having a "can do" attitude is the Swiss army knife that will get you through these challenges and difficult situations. As we tackle big problems we get over the idea that we have limited resources to accomplish things. Man has a history of resolving big challenges. Just look at the advances in technology, communication, fuel economy over the last few years. Every time a problem get's big enough, man rises to the occasion.

As someone once told me every problem or challenge is a success opportunity. In every problem there is a seed of opportunity. It's important we approach these unexpected challenges with a "can do" or resourceful mindset. We know that man has conquered some very big challenges once we got over the notion of somehow being limited in our ability. Which bring me to the last element of being resourceful, which is faith. We must have the faith to know there is an answer to every problem.

When we tackle the challenges and problems with a resourceful "can do" attitude and with the faith that there is an answer to the problem, we become the achievers we were born to be.

About Paul Gorney
IT sales leader with 30 years experience in a number of leadership roles with fortune 500 companies. Certified Life Coach and NLP Practioner. Passion for helping people setting and achieving thier goals.

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