Most people think their bookshelves reflect their interests. I think these objects are revealing your identity. In my case, I pulled a section at random, just one small stretch of spine-worn titles and a single antique statue. And yet, it reads like a manifesto—an autobiography in objects. What might appear as an eclectic mix at…
When I was working as a door-to-door salesman, I didn’t walk into someone’s home or office just to sell. I walked in to observe. This was when I discovered the subtle interplay of symbolic reality. While most people scanned faces and listened for objections, I looked at their surroundings: the bookshelf, the desk clutter, the art…
Our identities search for the meaning of objects to reflect our authentic self and express our aspirations. Objects carry a weight of symbolic meaning far beyond their tangible existence. Why is the world us filled with objects that do more than serve a practical purpose? Why and how do these objects reveal themselves to us?…
Symbols give meaning to life by giving us the opportunity to express ourselves with more richness and complexity. When you think of symbols, you might first think of something like a conventional symbol such as a brand logo like the Nike swish or the Apple logo. These symbols are obvious and intentional representations of something. …
I know seeing the word Phenomenology in the title of this article is a little scary and boring at the same time. Seeing the word Phenomenology with Selling could also induce some uncomfortable sensations. But if phenomenology had been taught in sales training, I would not have failed seven times at retail cold call sales….
Reflecting on my journey as a cold calling salesman, I’ve come to realize that each interaction was more than a mere sales pitch. It was a window into the essence of another human being. My approach was grounded in a deep curiosity about the lives of my clients. I would listen intently, not just to…