One of the tools I use a lo tis something I call “resource thinking.”

The idea here is that we each have a ton of resources at our disposal, and we may be limiting ourselves to only thinking of them in one particular way. A hammer is just a hammer, for example. But it could also be a pry bar. Wrap a cloth around the head of it and it could be a mallet. Place it on a stack of papers and it’s a paperweight. You get the idea.

But the other half of the “resource thinking” equation is training yourself to be on constant lookout for resources.

As I move through daily life, I’m always looking for ways to use anything and everything around me:

What stores and shops are in my neighborhood, and what sort of merchandise do they sell?

What odd and potentially useful items are sold in gas stations and convenience stores?

What’s in the used and discount section of Ikea?

When is “heavy trash day” in my neighborhood, and who’s throwing out furniture, tools, and the items?

The key to resource thinking is to keep your mind open to all the ways you can use something. Think outside the box. Keep your mind open. And put some thought into “what if I tried using this for that?”

Once you’ve defined your problem, you can start applying your list of resources to it, looking for something that may provide a solution.

As an example, I recently found a base I could use for an old drafting table built by my wife’s great grandfather, whom everyone called '“Grandpa Pix.” And I call the table my “Pix table,” in his honor.

I was using a plastic folding table to hold this thing up in my office. It was a “good enough for now” solution at best. But I was on the lookout for a cheap table or stand I could use for it.

Now that we’re moved into our new house, I’m starting to branch out and explore the local area. And on a Sunday morning I decided to take a drive. I ended up finding a Goodwill Store in my area, and when I went in I spotted a gorgeous wooden drafting table. When I checked the price, it blew me away…

Ten bucks.

$9.99, to be exact.

I knew, the second I saw this thing, and especially once I saw the price, that this would be the prefect base for my Pix table. So I bought it, hauled it home, and set it up.

The thing is, I wasn’t looking for a base for the Pix table, specifically. I was just out for a drive, exploring my new community, getting to know the neighborhood. But spotting that Goodwill store, I knew I had to check it out. And once I was there, I knew there were resources I could put to work. I actually ended up buying a weed trimmer from that same store, and also for ten bucks.

The point here is that by keeping my mind open to the possibilities, I came away with a treasure, and solved a problem.

Keep this in mind, as you move around in the world. There are solutions out there, for every problem you can imagine. And if you remain open minded, and put some creative thought into it, you’ll find yourself moving through a world of solutions.