Resourcefulness Overview

Rich and Poor

A person can demonstrate resourcefulness by recycling newspapers, aluminum cans, and old appliances, but resourcefulness also extends to the way a person manages subscriptions, purchases, and appliances still in use.

Recognize Resources

Many people do not consider themselves rich in dollars and cents. However, wealth is not limited to finances. A person’s resources include time, education, talents, health, faith, family, friends, and character.

A wise person uses these resources to live a prosperous life. Ask trustworthy friends for advice. Draw on family and faith to overcome discouragement. Use talents and training to excel at work. Manage your time wisely so that you can do what is most important.

Focus Your Management

Resourcefulness is not an issue of having more but of using what you have to its full potential. Should you purchase a new appliance if the one you have still works reliably? Should you subscribe to a newspaper or magazine you do not have time to read? Should you buy food that spoils before you eat it? Use what you have before replacing it.

Find a Purpose

Amos Lawrence, an early American merchant wrote, “He is not rich who lays up much, but he who lays out much; for it is all one not to have, as not to use.”

Do not hoard resources. Improve your business, invest in your community, and care for your family. Remember, everything you build or acquire will eventually pass to someone else. Use your possessions before you lose the opportunity.

Establish Values

Many problems in business and life stem from greed, selfishness, and discontent. Establish personal values to keep you from seeking dishonest gain.

Conduct business according to the highest standards, and build a quality life instead of merely gathering possessions.

Do not wait for a better car, a bigger salary, or a bigger savings account to practice resourcefulness. Recognize what you have, and put it to the best use possible.

Resourcefulness In Balance

Act Wisely

Wisdom is “seeing and responding to life situations from a perspective that transcends my current circumstances.” Though not every broken object is worth repairing, there may be other reasons for fixing something. Recognize the costs, benefits, and other issues associated with each situation.

Maintain Order

Orderliness is “arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficiency.” Your resources cannot benefit you unless you have an orderly system of storing, accessing, and managing them. Do not let procrastination, laziness, or the everyday rush prevent you from organizing and using your resources.

Live Generously

Generosity is “carefully managing my resources so I can freely give to those in need.” Generosity helps a person put resources to the best use rather than merely the most profitable use. It also keeps a resourceful person from becoming greedy and grasping. View your resources as a means to an end rather than as an end in themselves.