Challenge / resource / solutions

Last week, I shared a couple of thoughts on the importance of being playful and nurturing our inner child. This week, I will discuss the importance of being resourceful.

A couple of days ago I received a phone call from my friend and flat owner: “I am selling the flat”. Ouch! I am sure that I am not the only one to know too well the feeling when your landlord tells you that you have to move out. It forces you to search, visit, negotiate, shake hands, pack, box, hire, drive, move, unpack, unbox, rehang…

It is indeed annoying. But this frustration and deadlines create wonder too. You are pushed against the wall to find solutions and put things in place. It is not mere thinking (as otherwise, I would sleep outside) but the need to be [resourceful] and deliver on it.

Coaching has three presupposed ideas about an individual. People are said to be:

• Whole - No pieces are missing, and it is not about exploring past traumas but appreciating the learnings to move forward.

• Creative – Everyone has the capacity to think outside the box and think of solutions for themselves and to a given situation.

• Resourceful – Everyone can find ways to get their desired actions moving through existing or untapped resources.

Last week, we discussed our creative side, nurturing our playful inner child, let's talk further about this resourcefulness. 

In my opinion, it's the most critical skill we all should develop. Resources can come in many different forms — time, money, connection, skills, ideas, assets, tools, experience, books, people, etc. — you name it. As many might say “it is not what you know, but who you know”, true but this is about just one resource. In today’s information age, it is not about “what you know” rather than “where you can find this information” or talking to people who will know. So, it is about access, finding something you don’t know. 

When you have nothing but your mind, and eagerly want to do or make something happen, you become resourceful, back to the wall, you find a solution and make it work. A resourceful thought process can set you apart from your peers. 

Below are a couple of ideas to become more resourceful:

• Start to train your creative and inner child.

• Think outside the box or have people help you do this.

• Don’t think of your resource constraints as a limitation but as an opportunity.

• Disconnect existing resources from the outcome.

• No matter what situation you are in or the circumstances you must deal with, you will always figure out a solution.

• You believe in yourself that you can deal with anything that comes your way.

If you become a resourceful person, you will not only get your stuff moving (faster) but you will also influence people with better thinking and creativity.

Question:

Can you remember a time when you have shown resourcefulness?

• What did you do?

• How did you behave?

• How did you think?

• What did you believe?