Thank you. I hadn't thought about the tube of caulk, but now I can't unsee it. 😂 You're right. It was never about the gadgets. It was about seeing possibilities in what everyone else overlooked.
We had a guy working for us one time I used to call McGyver. I saw him fix sagging vinyl window sashes on 16 windows in about 45 minutes one time using just gum wrappers. He definitely saw thing that most of us didn't see.
Joe, I love this story. "He definitely saw things that most of us didn't see" is really the heart of MacGyver. The tools mattered a lot less than the way he looked at the problem.
Great piece, JP. I grew up watching MacGyver, and always loved how a stick of gum got him out of so many sketchy spots. How we choose to see what is available and having the ability to use it, is truly a superpower.
This is new to me, but makes great sense: "Available Inventory Principle." Thanks, and great story. I have worked with people like your technician, and I always walk away amazed at what they see and the problems they solve.
Such an excellent piece JP! I'm not a MacGyver TV show fan, but I know the concept and he was the original "I'll find a way" person, much like your technician.
I've always listed resourcefulness as one of my top traits both in my career and in how I approach life. Other than creativity it is probably my most treasured.
And you're right, AI is a bunch of information (often stolen, incorrect or slanted based on the agenda of who input it--maybe all 3), but the actual learned experience, judgement and resourcefulness we all possess will never get old.
Thank you, Melanie. Appreciate your support. You’re always so thoughtful in your comments. That's interesting because I've always thought resourcefulness and creativity draw from the same place. Looking at what's available and seeing more than one option. Reading your comment, I think your "I'll find a way" phrase captures it perfectly.
My pleasure JP and I really appreciate your kind comment about my comments :)
I feel they're slightly different because creativity to me means being able to come up with a new concept, idea or solution. Resourceful to me means I make something happen that others might not using the same context or resources. Not dictionary definitions! But I definitely believe they're related.
I know exactly what you mean, Ken. The fact that people still use "MacGyver" as a verb probably says everything that needs to be said about the character.
I loved everything about this. "The objects were never the point. The point was how he looked at them.” This resonated with me because my newsletter focuses on a different object each week and uses 3 features to talk about teaching, leadership and faith. It's not about the object. It's how you look at what you have and what you allow yourself to see so that you can move forward with good success.
I appreciate that, Renee. As I was reading your comment, I kept thinking your newsletter is really doing the same thing from a different angle. Different objects, same exercise in seeing.
Thank you. Appreciate that. I think a lot of us who grew up with MacGyver absorbed more from that show than we realized. The gadgets were fun, but the way he approached problems is what stuck.
“Seeing possibilities hidden inside limitations.” That stood out to me. I subscribe to that. And have for my whole life. My family has pointed that out about me. I recognize it in myself, too. It’s interesting to think about something that happens organically, that pushes us to our next level, that opens doors. Great piece, JP!
Thank you, Kendra. I appreciate that! It's a great skill to possess. I always find it interesting when something feels completely natural to us, only to discover the people around us have been noticing it all along. 😊
Same here! It’s a nice feeling, to hear it. I’ve felt it profoundly when my aunt pointed it out to me after we lost my mom. She reminded me that it was something my mom always spoke to her about regarding me. That hit.💛
Good piece. MacGyver could take a tube of caulk, a couple of sticks, and somehow build the Swiss Army knife you forgot to pack.
That was never really about the gadgets. It was about first principles, adaptability, and the judgment to see possibilities everyone else missed.
AI can generate answers. Experience still knows what to build with what's lying on the ground.
🔥
Thank you. I hadn't thought about the tube of caulk, but now I can't unsee it. 😂 You're right. It was never about the gadgets. It was about seeing possibilities in what everyone else overlooked.
😅😅
We had a guy working for us one time I used to call McGyver. I saw him fix sagging vinyl window sashes on 16 windows in about 45 minutes one time using just gum wrappers. He definitely saw thing that most of us didn't see.
Joe, I love this story. "He definitely saw things that most of us didn't see" is really the heart of MacGyver. The tools mattered a lot less than the way he looked at the problem.
Great piece, JP. I grew up watching MacGyver, and always loved how a stick of gum got him out of so many sketchy spots. How we choose to see what is available and having the ability to use it, is truly a superpower.
Amazing post JP!
Thank you Chris 🙏
This is new to me, but makes great sense: "Available Inventory Principle." Thanks, and great story. I have worked with people like your technician, and I always walk away amazed at what they see and the problems they solve.
Such an excellent piece JP! I'm not a MacGyver TV show fan, but I know the concept and he was the original "I'll find a way" person, much like your technician.
I've always listed resourcefulness as one of my top traits both in my career and in how I approach life. Other than creativity it is probably my most treasured.
And you're right, AI is a bunch of information (often stolen, incorrect or slanted based on the agenda of who input it--maybe all 3), but the actual learned experience, judgement and resourcefulness we all possess will never get old.
Thank you, Melanie. Appreciate your support. You’re always so thoughtful in your comments. That's interesting because I've always thought resourcefulness and creativity draw from the same place. Looking at what's available and seeing more than one option. Reading your comment, I think your "I'll find a way" phrase captures it perfectly.
My pleasure JP and I really appreciate your kind comment about my comments :)
I feel they're slightly different because creativity to me means being able to come up with a new concept, idea or solution. Resourceful to me means I make something happen that others might not using the same context or resources. Not dictionary definitions! But I definitely believe they're related.
McGyver resourcefulness.
I still use the term McGyvered...personal situations...home stuff.
My wife and I still use it and laugh about it.
I know exactly what you mean, Ken. The fact that people still use "MacGyver" as a verb probably says everything that needs to be said about the character.
"MacGyver defeated [AI] with a prism from a pair of binoculars, a matchbook, a Swiss Army knife, and an improvised thermite charge."
Resourcefulness wins everytime. Love it!
Thank you, Adele. Looking back, I think resourcefulness was really his superpower. The gadgets just got all the attention.
I loved everything about this. "The objects were never the point. The point was how he looked at them.” This resonated with me because my newsletter focuses on a different object each week and uses 3 features to talk about teaching, leadership and faith. It's not about the object. It's how you look at what you have and what you allow yourself to see so that you can move forward with good success.
I appreciate that, Renee. As I was reading your comment, I kept thinking your newsletter is really doing the same thing from a different angle. Different objects, same exercise in seeing.
So many lessons here. The different lenses, the resourcefulness, the new possibilities. I grew up with the real life “McGyver” so it rubbed off.
Thank you. Appreciate that. I think a lot of us who grew up with MacGyver absorbed more from that show than we realized. The gadgets were fun, but the way he approached problems is what stuck.
“Seeing possibilities hidden inside limitations.” That stood out to me. I subscribe to that. And have for my whole life. My family has pointed that out about me. I recognize it in myself, too. It’s interesting to think about something that happens organically, that pushes us to our next level, that opens doors. Great piece, JP!
Thank you, Kendra. I appreciate that! It's a great skill to possess. I always find it interesting when something feels completely natural to us, only to discover the people around us have been noticing it all along. 😊
Same here! It’s a nice feeling, to hear it. I’ve felt it profoundly when my aunt pointed it out to me after we lost my mom. She reminded me that it was something my mom always spoke to her about regarding me. That hit.💛
That would stay with you, Kendra. Hearing something like that from your aunt, especially after losing your mom, is a gift.💛
Indeed… thank you…🙏🏾
Talk about having a prism, a matchbook, a Swiss army knife, an improvised thermite charge, coupled with seeing things from a different perspective!
Resourcefulness at it's best.