Promises To Keep - a Salesman's Journey

THOUSANDS of years ago, before farming guaranteed the abundance of food, humankind relied on a dedicated system of hunters, foragers and gatherers to ensure its survival. These roles, once largely determined by gender, created a primal skill-set that lives within the souls of all of us today. Modern humanity, though vastly different in all areas from our ancient ancestors, still carries with it the DNA of those hunters and gatherers. Our efforts to replace that core genetic information with a modernized, civilized culture and pasteurized environment, have largely become the source of our problems in today’s world, as bodies out of harmony with their natural state act out in devastating ways after years of suppression - think wars, corruption, theft, murder etc.

Many of us, wearing our suit and tie (or in Start Up culture - Our T-Shirt and Jeans) march forward autonomously to the office to fulfill our daily quota, which mostly consists of “farming like” activities - checking emails, attending meetings and answering phone calls. Out of touch with much of our heritage, we often feel disconnected from that ancient human who foraged, hunted and gathered all year round, facing predators, prey, weather and dangerous terrain to ensure the survival of his or her offspring. The dullness of our surrounds, which is amplified by the office air conditioner above our heads, oftentimes forces us to consider “what ifs” and daily existential questions, most notably in 2018, centered around our means of accumulation of wealth. We no longer face the uncertainties of whether we will accumulate wealth, but the question of whether we are accumulating”enough” and whether we are positioned at the most appropriate source of that wealth - today known as a “company”.

I know these feelings too well. Like many of you, I am a “professional” in a High Tech company; heading to work everyday in a public bus to sit in front of a brand new laptop, loaned to me by the company and “get to work”. My day ends when either the clock tells me so, my boss leaves or the tasks of the day have run out. It is then that I am permitted to walk to the bus, sit next to dozens of “professionals” like me and return home to my family (just before midnight) - sweaty, tired and for some unknown reason on edge. Often I remind myself of Robert Frost’s ‘Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening’ - where the invited dark and deep mysteries of the woods lure the horseman off the path... but he corrects himself with the mantra that has become a proverb of our modern culture “...I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep”.

I have started this blog largely in response to that feeling. A small protest in the face of monotony, but hopefully as a resource for others. My goal is to spark thought, conversation and share knowledge. I hope to connect with you, Dear Reader, and learn, teach and grow together with each post. And if no readers be found, may it serve as a space for me to express my feelings with the universe in an attempt to reconnect with my purpose.

Here is my first thought to share with you, a hopeful rebuttal to the void inside of us office workers, that considers the value of our “daily grind”: We all know why mankind has dominated the earth. Our ability to evolve, to think and most of all adapt to our surroundings (or adapt our surroundings to us) has enabled us to live longer, healthier and reproduce more effectively than ever before. Poetic meanderings about the life of the hunter, gatherer and foragers available in many work related books and articles often forget the threat of death that faced our ancestors daily as a real possibility, and the discomfort of hunger, uncertainty and fear that even the most accomplished battled in every moment of their existence. We live in comfort, yes, but we are not simply receivers of this bounty. We work for it. Many of us work hard for it. We leave our partners/children/friends etc in our homes and neighborhoods to spend most of our waking lives dedicated to skills and tasks that oftentimes do not bring spiritual (in every sense of the word) meaning or reward but help us to sustain our chosen lifestyles.

I am a salesman. The modern hunter. My laptop is my bow. My headphones are my arrow and my voice is my strength. My emails are my traps, which I lay and check daily. My office workers are my tribe. My managers; the elders who I consult on best techniques and strategy to effectively “kill” or “close”. I travel many miles each day to hunt the elusive “deal” with my strategies in mind, playing over and over again for each target. How will I pitch? What are my next steps? Where is my opening? The strategy changes for each target - some are small and easy to hunt but give little sustenance, others are large and complex but often resist the attempts of the inexperienced.

The foundations of my day are the same as millions of years ago - hit my target and my tribe and family feast. Miss the target and we starve. Performance is in my blood. I am measured, checked, questioned and challenged daily, tested for weakness by my peers and every 90 days, I am told whether I am still a valuable member of the tribe. At my peak, I am a god on earth and am celebrated and at my lows I am a pariah and outcast.

Has much really changed?

Perhaps it is a matter of perspective. The methods and tools have changed, but the journey is the same. The story that you tell yourself is what will make all the difference.

Happy hunting.

David