You can thrive with what you have.

A young boy knocked on our front door. Let’s call him Alex. Alex must have been about 10 or 11 years old.

I was expecting Alex’s visit as his mother had written about what he was doing in the neighbourhood group chat. In fact, I specifically asked him to call at our house.

He was selling bags of sweets/candy for £2 each. He was doing it to raise money for a new Xbox game.

His mother was astonished at how Alex was able to overcome his shyness and hold conversations with adults.

Unfortunately, I was on a phone call when he knocked, so I couldn’t talk long. He joyfully told me that he had one bag remaining and it was mine if I wanted it. Mission accomplished.

What converts a desire into action?

I imagine many of Alex’s friends also want new Xbox games that their parents either don’t have money to buy or refuse to purchase.

But very few (if any) will take control of their circumstances and find a way to make it happen, like Alex did. It’s easier to come up with reasons as to why it’s not possible.

Alex was a young boy who overcame his reality – lack of money, lack of confidence, and lack of entrepreneurial experience.

He didn’t have many resources. He was resourceful with the things he could control.

• He convinced his mother to purchase some sweets/candy.
• He got permission to knock on neighbours’ doors.
• He didn’t wait until he felt confident talking to grownups.
• He boldly asked for what he wanted, and explained why he was doing what he was doing.
• He kept his eye on the prize, and he wanted it badly.

You don’t need lots of resources

When people get curious about the work I do, they often conclude that only people with ‘resources’ invest in a coach.

The reality is vastly different. Resources will only get you so far.

And in my experience, those with the most resources are just as afraid of losing them as the rest of us.

In other words, having lots of money doesn’t translate into a spirit of generosity, or an increased desire to spend it.

Having access to large resources is far less relevant than you might think.

There are many factors that determine whether people get what they want in life. But there is a one quality that stands above all others:

A willingness to struggle

Take Alex’s situation. He wanted a new Xbox game. He wanted it badly. He knew he didn’t have the resources to pay for it. Instead, he got resourceful.

And he was willing to suffer – dragging himself around the neighbourhood, overcoming his shyness, making one proposal after another, and not stopping until he had the money he needed.

Many people would have given up. They would have sacrificed their desire and convinced themselves it was too difficult, or not important.

Do you have any idea how many dreams and aspirations are on hold because people aren’t willing to take on the difficult work?

I’ll give you two examples from my personal experience that illustrate the difference between those who have resources, and those who are resourceful.

All the Resources

A lady approached me who was working as a C-Level executive. Let’s call her Jane.

Jane had a desire to be on a corporate Board of Directors from a young age. She worked hard for it and achieved it before she was 30 years old. She was well paid for the work she did.

But it wasn’t all good. Jane got sick. She lost her personality. It took her six months to find herself.

Jane realised that the work didn’t fulfil her. She had ambitions to start a family and embrace her creative talents.

I made a proposal for Jane and I to work together. Affordability was no issue for her. But she wasn’t willing to take on the difficult work required to transform her life.

A Resourceful Mindset

A couple of years ago, I was having a conversation with Stefan. Following a workshop he had attended, he expressed an interest to work with me.

I was impressed and intrigued by his desire to transform his life. Following oir conversation, I made a proposal for us to work together.

He came back and told me that the required investment was beyond him. I asked him if he really wanted to do the work, if he really believed in it? (Often times people will tell you they can’t afford something because it’s more comfortable than saying “I don’t want what you have.”) But Stefan really believed in the work we had discussed.

So, we worked on a bespoke agreement that was closer to his stated budget, but still a stretch.

Stefan got resourceful. He believed in the impact and transformation he would receive from working together. So, he made it happen.

Stefan and I worked together for three months. We produced a clear vision of what Stefan wanted to create with his life, and a strategy to get there. We worked through many blocks that Stefan had created in his life and challenged him to remove them. We worked on Stefan’s mindset and took away his excuses. We established the right environment to support his vision, and identified the activities that drained him of energy.

The work wasn’t always easy, but Stefan took on the challenge.

At the time Stefan worked in the hospitality industry. He was good at what he did and enjoyed the social aspect that came with the work. But it didn’t challenge him. It didn’t provide him with the lifestyle he desired.

Two years later Stefan is working for a bespoke legal recruitment agency. He is thriving in his work and currently in discussion to take on a directorial position.

Transformation doesn’t always happen immediately. And it’s rarely ever complete.

The only relevant question as to whether you will achieve something you really want is….

How much are you willing to suffer for it ?

Stop wishing for resources. Instead, learn how to become resourceful.