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?
- You don’t sit there analyzing the problem. You start playing with it to see if there is an easy way.
- You begin to push back on the tight areas to loosen their hold on the rope.
- You feel for what is moving, what is releasing.
- You make mistakes. One unwinding may only create another knot.
- You persist.
- You keep pushing and pulling until you get a release.
- You use one release to get the next release.
- You continue until the knot is completely released.
Some observations from untangling many knots in fishing lines:
- You have to give the knot your complete attention
- Knots weaken the line and can cause it to break
- Sometimes it’s hard to see the knots and you have to put on your glasses or use a magnifying glass
- Sometimes a second person makes it easier as they can hold things but best if they don’t try to help
- Continued use of a line with knots will lead to more problems
- Line needs to be replaced on a periodic basis
- Sometimes a tool, i.e. something with a sharp point, is needed to separate things
- 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