How to Draw a Straight Line

Remember there's always more than one way to do things. When you need to achieve a goal--even one as simple as drawing a straight line--if you keep your wits about you, you'll find a way to make it possible. Assign yourself the task of drawing a straight line.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pencil or ink pen
• Paper

1. Get your supplies ready. You'll need some kind of writing utensil and several pieces of paper for this exercise.

2. Check the house for straight edges that you can use to make your line. If you don't have a ruler, remember that window trim and blinds have straight lines, as do picture frames, books, CD and DVD cases and cereal boxes.

3. Place your straight-edge tool on top of your paper, and follow the straight-line edge with your pencil or pen. It's easiest to draw a straight line using a tool.

4. Search the garage for edges you can use to draw a straight line. A yardstick, T-square or level can provide the sharp edge that you need. Blocks of wood, hoes, rakes and straight saw blades all have straight lines you can trace. Items such as air compressors, furnaces, air conditioners and riding lawnmowers have vents with a straight edge you can trace in a pinch.

5. Poke around the office to see what tools are available. Look for a protractor or a clipboard with straight edges you can trace. Use the bottom of a tape dispenser or stapler if it's the right shape. You can use the side of a pencil, pad of paper or edge of a file folder to trace a straight line. Even your computer monitor has a straight edge next to the screen. You can also place the paper along the edge of a desk; crease the paper on the edge, flatten and trace the line you've created.

Tips & Warnings

• One of the best training techniques to get employees to think outside the box is to ask them to do something perfectly ordinary without the right tool. You can expand your thinking using this same technique.