Are you looking or seeing?

I was having a conversation earlier this week when someone said, “Let’s look at the data to see what we can see.” I’ve heard that and similar phrases a gazillion times. I’ve actually probably said it myself about half a gazillion times. We frequently substitute “look” and “see” during normal conversations like, “It looks like we have an opportunity” or “I see an opportunity here”. But, for whatever reason, this latest conversation really stood out and not just because I was awake and paying attention.

At first glance (pun intended), I began wondering if there was a difference between them or if they were largely synonymous. In the most basic physiological terms, you have to look at something to see it, right? But it could be argued that there is a difference; a deeper, more profound distinction between the two.

 I may be sitting at my computer looking at a spreadsheet with its seemingly endless columns and rows of data points. I might sit there for what seems like hours looking at this number and that number and those numbers over there. But, in doing all that looking am I actually seeing what those numbers are trying to tell me? Am I looking first so that I can see more clearly?

 Conversely, we may see a particular challenge that’s not yet been resolved. So, we look feverishly, turning over every stone, to uncover a solution. Then, we watch to see if that solution works and, if not, look for ways to improve upon it. Are we seeing first and then looking more deeply at what we saw?

 And therein lies my conundrum this week. Is there a difference between looking and seeing? Is looking the action that takes place so that we can see or do we see things and then look with more intent or purpose? Can we do one without the other; look at something without seeing it or seeing something without actually looking at it? It’s all quite confusing and I can already hear what you’re saying. Look, I see your point, but it’s still confusing and I’m losing sleep over it – or maybe I’m just losing sleep because of the spicy tamales I ate for dinner. Either way, I want answers. What do you think?

 “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” – Helen Keller