A skill that I believe has helped me more than any other skill in my life is resourcefulness. Resourcefulness is the ability to overcome difficulties. Life is always going to challenge us for growth. Life is too short to suffer.
When life throws me a curve ball, I do my best to hit it. Life has been the most thorough teacher I have ever known. At the age of 12 years old, I started mowing yards to earn some income. My first side hustle was born. I didn’t know who needed to have their yard mowed, but I trusted that I could find individuals even in a town of 267 people.
I would continue to rediscover that kind of resourcefulness over the next 18 years of my life. Each situation tested my resourcefulness in different ways. Originally, I thought this was only an extension of my problem-solving skills and my ability for strategy.
After College
I was faced with many rejections as I interviewed for jobs.
The message was always the same:
- You’re over qualified
- You’re under qualified
- You don’t have any skills that are applicable to this field
Even among the landslide of rejection I kept applying, I eventually would land the first job in the Casino Industry. I interviewed for an IT Manager position. I agreed to a phone interview and saw it as an opportunity to throw a sales on why they needed me. In the interview one of the Directors on the phone asked me, “Why would you apply for a job you have no experience in?”
When you have to perform, will you show up?
I retorted back quickly, “Why would you interview a person who has no experience applicable to a job they applied for?” It was risky. I did it anyway. There was silence for what felt like an eternity and then I could hear laughter on the other side of the phone.
Once the silence broken, I proceeded to throw my sales pitch. I told them I’ve worked computer since I was 6 years old, I love tackling problems and I enjoy finding creative solutions. I explained to them how my work experience at Wal-Mart and in Academia was the perfect experience for me to transition into the Casino Industry. All of my experience had one thing in common I was always providing some level of customer service.
I told them my mathematics background allowed to think logically about problems. I ended my pitch by telling them, give me two months to prove myself. If I am not generating value for your company, fire me… but I guarantee, you won’t.
For me, I needed a job. My student loan grace period was quickly to a close. My bills didn’t discriminate, if I had a job or not. This was a must for me. I didn’t plan that pitch for them that day, I spoke in the moment with passion. I spoke my own truth, I raised my standard and I found a way. This is the essence of resourcefulness.
Developing Resourcefulness
If we commit to making it happen and don’t complain about a lack of resources, a way will present itself. How can we develop resourcefulness within ourselves?
- Time
- People
- Learning
- Strengths
- Dreams
Your time is valuable. It’s truly a resource that we can get back, so if learn to utilize our time more efficiently this is a step toward resourcefulness. This may mean that you will have cut social media time, tv time, etc. If it matters to you will make time for it, you will make it a priority.
People are one the world’s greatest resources. You can find mentors, teachers and individuals that will add value into your life. When you are open to learning the teacher or the lesson will find you.
What are you strengths? How can you leverage your skills to create value for yourself and others? What are your dreams? If you’ve enjoyed this post, please do me a favor, share it and sign up to be notified of future posts.
Excellent!!!
So very true!