RESOURCEFUL DEFINITION:capable of adapting to new situations by making do with what one has CATEGORIES:achievement, interactive SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:clever, enterprising, ingenious POSSIBLE CAUSES: Experiencing a shortness of resources in the past Being impoverished; having no other choice but to figure out new ways of surviving A desire to live simply Frugality or thriftiness Independence; not wanting to rely on others A desire to be more responsible or efficient with one’s resources Being highly imaginative or creative ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Keeping cool in the face of difficult circumstances Being proactive Being a good problem solver Assessing a situation quickly and accurately Determination Maintaining a positive outlook Believing that there are always solutions if one just looks hard enough Having a basic understanding of how things work Taking pride in one’s ability to care for oneself Tinkering with things to better understand how they work Thinking outside the box; ingenuity Recycling Repurposing discarded objects into something new and useful Holding onto items because they might one day come in handy Hoarding tendencies Acquiring what one needs in a creative way Making items instead of buying them (clothes, food products, home decor, etc.) Keeping inventory of the items at one’s disposal Thinking ahead Bartering or trading with others for what can’t be produced Educating oneself on areas where knowledge is lacking Recognizing that there isn’t only one solution to a given problem Keeping an eye out for new opportunities Being organized Looking for ways to cut costs or save money Having a backup plan Viewing a tight budget as a challenge Anticipating problems before they arise Taking risks; not being afraid to experiment Learning from one’s mistakes Believing that nothing is impossible Scorning people who are wasteful or extravagant Becoming obsessive about saving money or resources Being a fixer who is unafraid of hard work ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: I can’t believe Marie threw this bottle away when there’s still shampoo in the bottom. If I think long enough, I’ll figure out a solution. It would be a shame to throw out this cracked cutting board. How else could I use it? What resources do we have at our disposal? ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:annoyance, confidence, curiosity, desperation, determination, eagerness, pride, satisfaction, worry POSITIVE ASPECTS:Resourceful characters are forward-thinking. They’re able to anticipate problems and begin planning in advance. When a difficult situation does arise, the resourceful character keeps his head; instead of panicking, he chooses to focus on finding a solution to the problem—usually in the form of something unorthodox or unconventional. Determined, confident, and imaginative, the resourceful character is a handy individual to have around when everything goes south. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Because of their ability to work independently, resourceful characters can have difficulty depending on or working with others. Their need for self-sufficiency can lead to isolation and even paranoia as they worry about other people wanting to take away their resources or freedom. These characters can also become too frugal, choosing to live in poverty and squalor rather than part with their money or resources. EXAMPLE FROM LITERATURE:InThe Boxcar Children, four young siblings are forced to live on their own in an abandoned train car. To survive, they do what they have to do. The eldest gets a modest job doing lawn work. The others comb the dump to find serviceable items that can be washed and repurposed. They even dam the local lake to create a bathing area and a cool place to keep their milk from spoiling. Although young, the Alden children are able to make do by using the items at their disposal and keeping their eyes open for new opportunities to better their situation.Other Examples from Film and Literature:John Rambo (First Blood), William and Elizabeth (The Swiss Family Robinson), Philippe the Mouse (Ladyhawke) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:entitled, extravagant, generous, haughty, irresponsible, lazy, selfish, subservient CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE RESOURCEFUL CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Having to be resourceful while lacking creativity or imagination PLOTLINE: Being paired with people who are extravagant and wasteful PLOTLINE: Facing a hindrance that makes resourcefulness difficult (an injury that affects mobility, etc.) PLOTLINE: Having to be resourceful not just for oneself, but for a large number of needy dependents