Who Would You Pick to Be Stranded On a Tropical Island With?

I grew up watching “Gilligan’s Island” on TV. The premise of the show was that seven people got stranded on a tropical island with none of the modern comforts: “No lights, no boats, no motor cars, not a single luxury. Like Robinson Caruso...” Well, you get the idea.

I guess it was this show that led me to develop my “island test” theory. In the “island test”, I ask myself this question: “If I could actually choose one person to be stranded with on a tropical, desert island, would I choose a person like myself?”

I think about the type of person I would want to be with me if I were stranded and then I try to be or at least become that person in everyday life. What would this person look like? Here’s a partial list of attributes I use as a check list:

Physical attributes:

• Do I know how to swim?
• Am I CPR/First aid certified?
• Am I in reasonable shape physically (weight, strength, cardiovascular)?
• Am I used to physical labor/exercise?
• Am I handy?
• Do I know how to cook?
• Do I keep myself presentable and have good personal hygiene?

Mental/Emotional attributes:

• Am I addiction free?  (Cigarettes, alcohol & other drugs)
• Am I able to keep a level head in a crisis?
• Do I fall apart emotionally over little things?
• Do I know how to relax and have a good time, even when "I have lots to do"?
• Am I agreeable, or do I always have to have my own way?
• Do I approach issues from a narrow, pre-defined agenda, or am I open-minded, ready to understand and discuss other points of view?

Social Attributes:

• Am I reliable?
• Do people trust me?
• Do I smile or frown more often?
• Do people like to have me around?
• When I walk into a room, do I brighten the room or dim it?

Sometimes in my work as a Life Coach, clients come to me because they can’t seem to get along with people. Maybe their co-workers or subordinates give them a hard time and don’t listen to their directions. Maybe they can’t seem to make friends. Maybe they can’t seem to find a long term romantic relationship. Maybe they can’t get that promotion. Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that they are missing many of the attributes on these lists. With just a little bit of work, these behaviors can be changed and the client’s whole world changes right along with them.

I take the idea of social responsibility seriously. I take the idea of being there for my friends and family seriously. I take the idea of being ready to help in emergencies seriously. I believe in being capable. I like to think that I’m ready, willing, and able to assist in an emergency should one arise.

We need capable people in our society.

How do you stack up?