Matches, aluminum foil, a spray can and some gum and we can get it DONE.

GenXers: The MacGyvers of Our Time—How Unconventional Methods Lead to Big Wins

While working in administration at a hospital, the unthinkable happened.

The power went out. As in OUT, out.

The seconds it took for the generators to kick in to power critical life saving machines, were the longest seconds I ever experienced in my life. The scramble began to assess what needed to be done to function until power was restored fully. After we checked on the critical spaces, ICU, NICU, surgery and OB, I heard a walkie talkie call for an "emergency" in the cafeteria area. My CEO dispatched me to see what the problem was.

Y'all.

The cash registers were down of course and the "emergency" was cashiers did not know what to do to continue to function and the line was down the hall. They did not know how to charge for food with no barcodes, add w/tax, or count back to give change as we could only use cash.

I wanted to be stunned, but I didn't have time. I wrangled them all together and taught them to use their cellphones to be the registers and how to simply write down on a piece of paper main pricing for items given they couldn't scan. I looked like a hero to them. But as a GenXer, I can take what's seemingly "old school" and make it WORK. That's not heroic. Its simply how we roll.

When you think of MacGyver, the iconic secret agent who could solve any problem with nothing but a Swiss army knife, duct tape, and his sharp wit, you’re reminded of how powerful creativity and resourcefulness can be. With everything being done for us, it could leave our innate survival skills rusty. MacGyver wasn’t afraid to use unconventional tools—whether it was a rubber band, a paper clip, or a broken-down car engine—to get the job done. And, more often than not, it worked. That’s the kind of ingenuity GenXers are known for. We may not always follow the latest trends, and we’re often accused of clinging to outdated methods, or "being afraid of change" [please insert your best "whatever" face here]. But our ability to think outside the box and get results is something we, like MacGyver, are known for and should be proud of.

In today’s fast-paced, tech-heavy world, it’s easy to feel pressured to keep up with the latest tools, apps, and software. But we know that success doesn’t always come from the latest gadget or a high-tech solution. Sometimes, it’s about finding the tools at hand—often those that are perceived as "outdated" or "old-fashioned"—and putting them to work in a way that no one expects. THIS is where the GenXer’s ingenuity shines through. We’re problem-solvers by nature, trained in an era when we had to make do with what we had, whether that meant navigating our way through a trip with nothing but a Rand McNally map, a highlighter and a sense of adventure. Or fixing a broken appliance with a mix of household items. Please don't act like I was the ONLY one with a hanger as an antenna!

We don’t need the latest fancy gadget to get the job done. We use what’s available to us and get creative. A flat tire on the side of the road? Grab a few tools from the trunk and some basic know-how. Struggling with a project at work? We know how to roll up our sleeves, use our critical thinking, and turn what’s at hand into a solution. Maybe it’s using a notepad when the app crashes or drawing a flowchart on a whiteboard when the laptop dies mid-presentation. The result is the same: we get the job done—efficiently, creatively, and with a bit of flair.

Our unconventional methods may seem like a throwback to some, but a win is a win, and our ability to adapt to any situation is something that’s uniquely GenX. We’ve seen it all: the rise of the internet, the shift to digital media, and the transformation of how we work, communicate, and live. Through it all, we’ve learned that success doesn’t always require the newest technology or the most advanced tools. It’s about knowing how to make the most of what you’ve got. Whether that’s using a pen and paper, improvising a solution, or pulling out the backup plan when things go south, we make it happen.

So, the next time someone questions your "old-school" methods or laughs at your backup plan, channel your inner MacGyver. You’re not just resisting change—you’re showing the world that innovation isn’t always about what’s new; it’s about using your resourcefulness to get the job done in the most effective way possible. Your unconventional approach might just be the secret weapon that turns a challenge into a victory. And that’s something no one can ever take away from you.

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Life at the Half is a mid-lifestyle brand, podcast and community for GenXers taking midlife by the neck! Founded by Camille Jamerson, CEO of The Camille Company, this community welcomes all midlifers to be intentional about how THIS half of their life will be lived! To reach Camille for consulting or for speaking...contact HER boss, her assistant Reema at [email protected] who is in charge of 88.6% of her life!