Is Your Career in Need of Jugaad?

"Jugaad are things poor but clever people do to make the most of the resources they have. They do what they need to do, without regard to what is supposed to be possible (Wikipedia)."

Jugaad is working with what you've got to get things done. It can also be considered the Eastern/Asian equivalent to "MacGyver" something.

This cultural reference isn't just designed to help you impress your coworkers at the Indian lunch buffet, it can also serve as a way of helping you approach a blockade in the work day.

If you're stuck in a job, cubicle, office, or meeting that's driving you crazy, see what you can do to Jugaad your way out of it. It will distract you from the headache you're experiencing, make you look busy, and it just sounds cool when you repeat it to yourself. Hey, if some guy can make a coconut tree climber out of bicycle parts, I'm confident you can find a way to get through a tough job situation.

Have any Jugaad stories of your own you'd like to share for this blog? Please email: byoresume@gmail.com

I'll be sure to include your stories of small triumph in a future entry!

Comment by Saleem Qureshi on February 11, 2010 at 8:28pm: LOL I loved this post
BTW "Jugaad" in Hindi also means an alternative, unconventional fix
:)

Comment by Laurie Bell on February 12, 2010 at 11:34am: Thanks for the comment, Saleem! I had watched a special on tv about this being a part of the cultural fabric of India and was so surprised I had never heard it before (I live in the heart of Silicon Valley). Thank you for the extra definition - it helps educate and inspire me :-)