Seeing Everything as Lines
When I was first learning to draw as a young child, my art teacher shared a piece of advice that has stuck with me ever since: “See everything as lines.” At the time, I took this literally, focusing on the outlines and contours of the objects I was trying to depict. And you can still see this influence in my sketches today—a tendency to break things down into their most essential linear components.
But as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to understand this advice on a deeper level. “Seeing everything as lines” isn’t just about drawing or visual art—it’s a metaphor for how we perceive and interpret the world around us.
So often, we get stuck in narrow, rigid ways of thinking. We see things only from our limited perspective, unable to imagine alternative viewpoints or approaches. But when we start to “see everything as lines,” we open ourselves up to a whole new realm of possibility.
We begin to understand that the boundaries and categories we take for granted are often more fluid and permeable than we realize. We start to look for connections and patterns that we might have missed before. We become more attuned to the underlying structures and relationships that shape our experiences.
This shift in perspective can be transformative in all areas of life and work. As a marketer, for example, “seeing everything as lines” might mean looking beyond the obvious features and benefits of a product to explore the deeper emotional and psychological needs it satisfies. It might mean seeking out unconventional partnerships or collaborations that cross traditional industry lines.
As an analyst, “seeing everything as lines” could involve challenging the assumptions and frameworks that underlie our data models and exploring alternative ways of interpreting and visualizing information. It might mean looking for hidden patterns or correlations that cut across seemingly disparate datasets.
And as individuals, “seeing everything as lines” can help us break free from the limiting beliefs and mental models that hold us back. It can inspire us to take risks, to explore new possibilities, and to connect with others in more authentic and meaningful ways.
Of course, this kind of perspective shift isn’t always easy. It requires a willingness to step outside our comfort zones, to question our assumptions, and to embrace uncertainty and ambiguity. But the rewards—in terms of creativity, insight, and personal growth—are more than worth it.
So the next time you find yourself feeling stuck or limited in your thinking, remember my art teacher’s advice: see everything as lines. Look for the underlying patterns and connections. Imagine alternative viewpoints and approaches. And most importantly, keep an open and curious mind—because you never know where those lines might lead you.
