Author: Ani.
Editor: David Thomas M. Ed (TESOL), Learning & Curriculum Trainer @EfeX Center
Resourcefulness is a 21st century skill but what is resourcefulness? Over the next month we will take the time to explain and explore resourcefulness, and empower you to be resourceful in your daily life.
Let’s start.
After we acknowledge that we have to adjust to working from home, studying from home, and doing new routines as the new normal, we are faced with limitations. Limitations can be annoying but also good! The good thing about being limited is that it forces us to be resourceful- a skill that is crucial for both ourselves and for our children if we want to see them become successful leaders of the future.
What is Resourcefulness?
Resourcefulness means the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties (Dictionary.com). Sherie Campbell, Psychologist, describes resourcefulness as a mindset. “This mindset inspires out of the box thinking...and the ability to visualize all the possible ways to achieve what you desire."
Why do we need Resourcefulness?
1. The ability to be resourceful is one of the most important life skills to survive at any circumstances.
To illustrate, enjoy this famous Aesop fable.
The Crow and the Pitcher
In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it.
But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the Crow could not reach the water.
The poor thing felt as if he must die of thirst. Then an idea came to him.
Picking up some small pebbles, he dropped them into the pitcher one by one.
With each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it was near enough so he could drink.
The moral lesson from this fable is that if we want to survive, we need to be resourceful! And if we grow in our resourcefulness level, we will not only survive but thrive. We will not only cope, but maximize- which is in point number 2.
2. Resourcefulness will make us thrive.
How does it work? Resourcefulness requires using and applying building blocks beyond just the cognitive: planning, organizing, decision making, problem-solving, and even collaborating. Being resourceful helps us set goals, imagine multiple possibilities; experiment and adapt until we find the best solution. It requires managing our emotional quotient and working under pressure or stress. Resourcefulness also breeds creative and innovative minds. Because of these benefits, research has found that resourcefulness is the key to success more than high grades and test scores!
EfeX novels are full of stories about being resourceful. One of them is The Boxcar Children. It’s about orphaned siblings who find a boxcar and decide to make it their home. They appoint rooms within the boxcar. The oldest goes to work, and the younger two cook, do chores, home-school the youngest and take care of their pet. They set themselves to not only survive but thrive!
3. When we are resourceful, we will be optimistic as well, because we know we are working on ways to solve our problems.
If we feel we can’t solve our problems then we will feel hopeless or pessimistic. But if we are resourceful, we will always work for a solution, which contribute to a positive attitude. This positivity goes a long way and when coupled with resourcefulness, we get perseverance and resilience- all the great Growth Mindset strategies for success!
Isn’t this exciting? Amid the desperate situation of this pandemic, there is the chance to grow our resourcefulness. Let’s learn together in the next five videos and articles!
If this article has been helpful, please like it and share it with others. Thank you!
To view the video for this article please click this link:
To view our other videos please go to our YouTube Channel: