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I bet you’ve never thought about using a particular strategy about untying a knot, you just do it. But, let’s take a look at how you would go about this in a successful manner and think how it may be a metaphor for other things.

You discover a stubborn knot in some rope that you need to use. Cutting it is not an option, so what do you do?

1. You don’t sit there analyzing the problem. You start playing with it to see if there is an easy way.
2. You begin to push back on the tight areas to loosen their hold on the rope.
3. You feel for what is moving, what is releasing.
4. You make mistakes. One unwinding may only create another knot.
5. You persist.
6. You keep pushing and pulling until you get a release.
7. You use one release to get the next release.
8. You continue until the knot is completely released.

Some observations from untangling many knots in fishing lines:

1. You have to give the knot your complete attention
2. Knots weaken the line and can cause it to break
3. Sometimes it’s hard to see the knots and you have to put on your glasses or use a magnifying glass
4. Sometimes a second person makes it easier as they can hold things but best if they don’t try to help
5. Continued use of a line with knots will lead to more problems
6. Line needs to be replaced on a periodic basis
7. Sometimes a tool, i.e. something with a sharp point, is needed to separate things
8. Line sometimes has a memory of where a knot has been

We often over analyze a problem hoping that if we can figure it out, we will quickly solve it. If there is a way to calculate an easy path to resolution, great. But often you don’t have the needed information until you start unwinding the knot.

How do you unwind your knots?

Art: Wikimedia

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