An ode to the pencil

Why, you might ask, would someone write an ode to a pencil?

An ode is a song of celebration, and I am here to celebrate the lowly, outmoded, outdated, once ubiquitous, now scarce pencil.

The ode is because I think this static, stoic, inanimate object has some important qualities.

For one thing, this is a very successful design. The modern pencil was invented in 1795 by a scientist working for Napoleon Bonaparte. Got anything else on your desk, or in your life, that’s been successful for, let’s say, 200 years, give or take?

Next, it is built for self-expression. The lines can be thick or thin, bold or just a hint. The ideas go from your head to your hand. Big and small, words and pictures, it’s all about working things out.

Last, it aligns with / echoes with our humanity. Not only is the graphite impermanent, that rubbery thing on the non-business end is an eraser. We all makes mistakes as we’re thinking things. Our errors don’t need to be enshrined. It’s kind of nice that they can disappear, that the pencil offers a bit of forgiveness.

These three attributes are deeply entwined. Success, expression and humanity. Which apply not only to you, but to all the people you come in contact with every day. Your family and friends, coworkers, and for many of us, your prospects and customers.

They each, in their own way, are striving for success, expression, and humanity. Are you tuning in to them or are you in your own bubble, obsessing over your success, expression, and humanity? In my experience, people want to be understood. In my business experience, people don’t buy because they understand you. They buy because you understand them.

It’s called empathy, and that’s my point.