With the endless subzero temperatures, mountains of snow, and ice everywhere, I like to sit back and think about what it would be like to be stranded on a tropical island. No boots, no shovelling, no layers upon layers of clothes. No staring out the window wondering if spring is ever coming back and putting all hope in the tiny hands of a sleepy rodent that gets yanked out of its home and put in front of a crowd with great anticipation. Just warm air, sand under my feet, and the gentle sound of waves doing absolutely nothing productive. It’s the kind of mental escape that gets you through winter; especially when I know a real getaway isn’t happening anytime soon.
As my mind usually does, it starts wandering into the world of personality. If I were to find myself stranded on some deserted, tropical island, I know what I would want to have with me, but I started wondering what others would want with them. I asked a few friends and colleagues what essentials they would need to bring with them before waving goodbye to civilization, and no surprise, they all came up with something different.
Authentic Blues bring something that adds meaning to the whole experience. A journal is essential, preferably one that feels important enough for big thoughts, along with a favourite pen that somehow makes writing feel more intentional. There will also be a personal keepsake like a photo, a letter, or something small that reminds them of the people they care about. For Authentic Blues, the island isn’t just a place to survive; it’s a place to reflect, grow, and maybe have a few heartfelt conversations with the ocean… or a volleyball that goes by the name Wilson that they now consider one of their closest friends.
Inquiring Greens will a few things that keep their curiosity busy like books, interesting stories, or something unusual; anything that sparks new ideas. A deserted island is a great place to notice patterns, think about the world, and let their mind wander. They finally have plenty of time to ask “why?” as much as they want without bugging everyone around them. Questions pop up naturally while watching the waves or clouds drift by, and they enjoy following those ideas wherever they go. With no notifications and no schedule, Inquiring Greens get to really sink into uninterrupted thinking, only occasionally needing to use the local wildlife as a debate partner.
Organized Golds would undoubtedly show up prepared and confident, with a survival kit that could only be described as massively impressive. Inside is everything you’d hope for: first-aid supplies, water purification tablets, matches sealed in waterproof containers, rope, a tarp, a multitool, emergency food, and a laminated checklist just in case. It’s basically (1960s) Batman’s utility belt, but for island living. When everyone else would still be getting their bearings, Organized Golds are already making sure there’s clean water, a solid shelter, and a plan for tomorrow. There’s something deeply comforting and reassuring about a well-organized and colour-coded plan.
Resourceful Oranges hit the ground running. They travel light and rely on adaptability. A trusty Swiss Army Knife is their go-to, paired with the confidence that they’ll figure out the rest as they go is all they really need. A deserted island quickly turns into a creative challenge: driftwood becomes furniture, palm leaves turn into shade, and “that should work” is a perfectly reasonable strategy. Resourceful Oranges are there for the adventure, improvising solutions and trying things just to see what happens. For them, the fun is in making it work and enjoying the process along the way. In the end, it will make for a great story. Really, what’s the worst that could happen anyways?
A little mental escape goes a long way, especially when a real tropical getaway isn’t possible, and it’s interesting to think about who we are when all we have is time. Authentic Blues are born to reflect, Inquiring Greens will always ask, “Why?” Organized Golds live by the motto “be prepared,” and the symbol for Resourceful Oranges really should have been the Swiss Army Knife. Taking a few minutes to imagine yourself somewhere else, thinking in your own way, or just enjoying the absurdity of it all is surprisingly good for the mind—and a good distraction from thinking about just how good rodents are at predicting weather.
Brad Whitehorn – BA, CCDP is a lifelong Introvert, and the Associate Director at CLSR Inc. He was thrown into the career development field headfirst after completing a Communications degree in 2005, and hasn’t looked back! Since then, Brad has worked on the development, implementation and certification for various career and personality assessments (including Personality Dimensions®), making sure that Career Development Practitioners and HR Professionals get the right tools to do their best work. Brad is also on the board of directors for the Career Professionals of Canada, and an advisory committee member with the Career Development Professionals of Ontario.
