Resources Versus Resourcefulness

MINDSET

Sep 26

A split image contrasts resources—represented by coins, bar graphs, and pie charts—with resourcefulness, illustrated by icons of a light bulb, a brain, and a thinking person. Image: Created by Grok.

Do you ever get the feeling that we live in a time of transition? The world has undergone significant changes over the last five years, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by inflation, high interest rates, and rising living expenses, which have had a profound impact on most of us.

What if we could see limited resources as an opportunity for growth, rather than a limitation? Change can be quite painful, but sometimes it is entirely necessary to move forward to a better place. Even the most painful experiences we go through can be life-transforming catalysts if we embrace them with the right mindset.

One of the best coaches to have ever taught about personal development, success, and overcoming obstacles is Tony Robbins, who introduced me to the mindset of resourcefulness. I attended my first Tony Robbins live event in 2018, and I experienced one of the most significant years of my life, marked by substantial growth in the year that followed.

Recently, I've been focusing on re-implementing the lessons from Tony Robbins, and I wanted to provide a recap, as this topic is of interest to many people worldwide.

What do we define as resources?

Resources are assets, materials, or capabilities that provide value, meet needs, or enable the achievement of goals. Resources can be tangible (such as physical materials) or intangible (like skills or time). In the broadest sense, the definition of a resource is a source of supply, support, or aid - something that can be drawn upon when needed.

Resources themselves can narrow down our mindset to what is available to us in the given moment. If we combine this with a scarcity mindset, there is little room for growth. Our focus is also on what is missing, rather than on creating new solutions and driving growth. In the long run, this will likely limit us.

Resources are never the problem.

Tony Robbins frequently emphasizes resourcefulness as a core principle in his teachings on personal development, success, and overcoming obstacles. Robbins argues that true limitations stem not from a scarcity of external resources (such as time, money, technology, or connections), but from a lack of internal resourcefulness.

Overall, Robbins views resourcefulness as a trainable skill that turns potential into achievement, often illustrated through real-world examples like innovators (e.g., Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak) who succeeded despite limited starting resources by leveraging creativity and determination.

He encourages practical steps, such as listing excuses, brainstorming alternatives, and seeking help from available networks, to build this quality.

Tapping into resourcefulness promotes creative thinking. It is also a much more solution-focused approach, and allows your inner genius to grow and shine.

Motivational video of Tony Robbins delivering a live seminar speech on the power of resourcefulness—emphasizing internal qualities like creativity, determination, and passion—over external resources like money or time, to overcome failure and achieve success in business and life.

A practical comparison.

An example of a resource is the assets we currently possess, such as our properties, savings, and bank account balance. It can also include the skill set we have already established.

While our resourcefulness captivates our creative forces, it also draws out traits such as determination, resilience, hunger, playfulness, and persistence.

An example of resourcefulness is drawing out a challenging situation on paper. Let's say you want to propose to your girlfriend, but have no idea how to afford the engagement ring or the wedding. By tapping into your resourcefulness and imagination, you can call upon your determination and take on new courses or acquire a new skill to increase your income.

It can also be drawing out a business idea that you've had for a long time and starting to take action on the steps you can take today.

Many have subconsciously used their skills and resourcefulness to build their homes, relationships, and families without even realizing it.

The larger the internal pool of resourcefulness, the better equipped we are to navigate through difficult periods in human history, such as the one we are currently living in. The magic of resourcefulness lies in leveraging your inner resourcefulness to access the resources you need to achieve your goals. The most significant limitations of humankind lie within our own minds.

Emotional states are the foundation of resourcefulness.

"The ultimate resources are EMOTIONAL STATES: Creativity, decisiveness, passion, honesty, sincerity, love—these are the ultimate human resources, and when you engage these resources, you can get any other resource on earth." Tony Robbins explains that when you're in a resourceful emotional state—such as feeling passionate or decisive—you naturally find ways to acquire or improvise external resources.

This concept aligns with his broader model of human psychology, in which emotions influence perception and behavior. For instance, in a lowered emotional state (e.g., fear or overwhelm), you experience "tunnel vision" and only see problems, not solutions. Conversely, elevating your state through practices like "priming" (e.g., gratitude exercises, physical movement, or breathing techniques) shifts you into a state of resourcefulness, allowing for innovative thinking.

Tapping into inner qualities.

The essential gamebreaker is to access our resourcefulness by elevating our state of mind. Once we take control of the state of our minds, the whole game changes, and we are ready to unlock a whole new world of possibilities.

In addition to doing "priming" exercises, I've found that attending yoga and working out are effective in putting me in the right state of mind.

Focus on finding techniques that resonate with you and bring you uplift. No approach is going to suit all of us, so it's essential to adjust our strategy until we find the best approach for each of us.

Virtues for navigating challenges.

In his "Message to the Class of 2020" video address during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tony Robbins highlighted virtues essential for success in uncertain times.

He framed them as timeless guides for any era, emphasizing adaptation and inner strength. The list includes:

Persistence: Continuing forward despite obstacles, building momentum through consistent action.
Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks, viewing them as opportunities for growth.
Resourcefulness: The ultimate internal resource—creativity in scarcity, as "it's not lack of resources, but lack of resourcefulness" that hinders success.
Creativity: Innovating solutions, especially when traditional paths are blocked.
Playfulness: Maintaining joy and lightness to fuel energy and avoid burnout.
Hunger: A deep drive or ambition that overcomes fear and propels action.
Grit: Perseverance combined with passion, sticking with long-term goals.
Grace: Approaching life with gratitude and compassion, finding beauty in challenges.

These virtues, Tony Robbins explains, help turn disappointment into drive, fostering a "beautiful state" of mind.

Motivational video featuring Tony Robbins addressing the Class of 2020 graduates during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering an energetic speech on shaping destiny through three key decisions: what to focus on, what events mean, and what actions to take.

Three of the most known examples of historical shifts due to resource scarcity and creative adaptation:

Transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age (circa 1200 BCE).

The Bronze Age was characterized by the widespread use of bronze, an alloy made from copper and tin. However, trade networks were disrupted by invasions, migrations, and the collapse of empires, such as the Hittite Empire. This led to a severe shortage of tin. As a result, civilizations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia began to innovate in iron smelting, which utilized abundant iron ore. This transition to iron not only made metalworking more accessible and affordable but also transformed tools and weapons. Ultimately, this marked the end of the Bronze Age, paving the way for the rise of new empires and advancements in agriculture.

Deforestation and the Shift to Coal in England (16th-18th Centuries).

Rapid population growth and industrialization led to the depletion of England's forests, resulting in severe shortages of wood and charcoal, which were essential for fuel, heating, and iron production. Innovators like Abraham Darby developed coke, a refined form of coal, for smelting purposes. This method was more efficient and scalable than traditional techniques. As a result, it powered steam engines and factories, fueling the Industrial Revolution. This shift marked a transition from biomass to fossil fuels as the primary source of energy, transforming economies worldwide.

Whale Oil Scarcity and the Rise of Kerosene (Mid-19th Century)

Overhunting severely reduced whale populations, increasing the cost of whale oil, which was used for lighting and lubrication. By the 1850s, the scarcity of this market prompted the refinement of kerosene from petroleum. Abraham Gesner pioneered this process and was later commercialized by John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil. The introduction of this cheaper and safer alternative replaced whale oil, alleviating pressure on whale populations and laying the groundwork for the modern oil industry, which revolutionized energy and transportation.

Where FOCUS goes, ENERGY flows.

This concept is often summarized as, "Where energy flows, whatever you focus on grows." It highlights that your attention directs your mental and emotional energy, shaping your reality, feelings, and outcomes.

Tony Robbins incorporates principles from psychology, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), and his personal experiences to argue that focus is not merely a habit; it is a powerful tool for creating the life you desire. By focusing on the positive aspects and minimizing the negative ones, you can significantly improve your circumstances.