Whilst the Isles of Scilly are physically very beautiful, they are very susceptible to the vagaries of weather, changes in tides and decisions by people outside of the islands.
All of which are beyond their control.
So, how can the islanders survive when so much is not of their making?
Resilience
Adaptability
Innovation
These are all hardcore terms that are always cited in business lessons and by growth coaches, but seeing it in action creates a real understanding of what they really mean.
Metropolitan areas benefit from a comprehensive transport network to get around. There are shops open late into the night (or sometimes 24 hours) so one doesn’t have to plan. Many people are working, with one full-time job and can walk away from it at the end of their day/shift. There are takeaways and countless restaurants. Everything runs to a timetable (well, sort of), and everything is expected on demand.
It might come as a culture shock for a visitor to the Isles of Scilly that they may meet people here doing multiple jobs; that the shop doesn’t carry your preferred brand of tea and its shelves might be fairly empty because the supply boat couldn’t make it in rough seas; that you can’t get to the island you want to right now because the tide won’t allow access; that the flight you booked is not going to take off for safety reasons, no matter how much you argue about it; that the islanders are really very friendly and will speak to you.
Reality is that everyone must find their own way to live. It’s not dictated by a human timetable but depends on resilience, being adaptable and finding innovative ways of thriving.
Not forgetting a community that supports each other.
Now, isn’t that beautiful too?
Scilly Space 2
