The Boilermaker's Lesson: Tap the Right Resources and Take Smart Actions
A friend reminded us recently of an old story with profound insight: A boilermaker fixed a steamship's boiler problem not by just tapping, but knowing where to tap.
This story applies to our professional careers and organizational challenges in many ways. Are we tapping into the right resources and taking appropriate actions, or do we just run in circles and throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks?
Here are some resources we can tap into when we need to achieve a goal or face challenges:
Relationships: People we already know, their knowledge, experience, and skills, and their interest in seeing us flourish. Consider what we can learn from them, and create space for them to help us.
Experiences: What can we learn from our past successes and failures, our strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement?
Material: What tangible assets can we use to help accomplish our goals? Technology, space, books, and whatever sitting in storage.
Different types of people: These can be different people, but some people may have all these attributes:
People who have your back: They are givers who do not seek something in return. They give you support when you are at your lowest.
People who cheer you on: They root for you even when you have hiccups or want to give up. They bring optimism.
People who challenge you: They open up new perspectives and your creativity and resourcefulness. They see your potential before you do. They don’t let you limit yourself. They speak what they see to push you beyond your imagination.
People who inspire you: They have admirable qualities and you aspire to be like them. They may have overcome similar challenges and you want to follow their examples.
New knowledge and skills: After you identify the additional knowledge and skills you need for success, it’s time to determine how you will acquire the new knowledge and skills. There are different styles of learning.
Traditional classroom setting: You may identify that you need to go to a physical location and meet other learners, and learn from a teacher.
Online courses: You may find courses from top universities offered through Coursera. Coursera has made learning more affordable and accessible. Most courses are free to audit, but to have your assignments graded or earn a certificate or degree, you do need to pay.
Books: Amazon still is the largest online bookstore, even though it has grown into a full-blown e-commerce platform and technology company offering many services. Other than teaching us new things, books can transform us to another time and place, and help us develop our imagination and creativity. Some of us simply love holding a physical book that we can turn pages, scribble on the margins, and use it to hold our collection of bookmarks. Have you ever tried some brain exercises?
Resources are out there waiting for us to discover and use. When we feel strapped, if we tap into what we already have first, one resource can lead to the next. Not all resources are created equal. Some are more relevant, more effective, and more efficient than others.
The Boilermaker's Lesson
The boilermaker's story teaches us that it's not enough to just have resources. We need to know where to tap. We need to be strategic about how we use our time, energy, and resources.
Here are a few tips for tapping into the right resources:
Be clear about your goals. What do you want to achieve? Once you know your goals, you can start to identify the resources you need to achieve them.
Be creative. Don't be afraid to think outside the box. There are many different ways to acquire the resources you need.
Be persistent. Don't give up if you don't find what you're looking for right away. Keep searching and eventually you'll find the resources you need.
Conclusion
Resources are essential for success. But it's not enough to just have resources. We need to know what to use and when to use it. By following the tips above, you can learn to tap into the right resources and achieve your goals.
