Combing my hair is like a big project. While I learned new ways how to do these tasks, I realized that they relate to other fields, even software development.
My hair is curly and easily gets tangled up. So combing can become a big task, especially if I haven’t done it for some time. Normally I only comb it when I wash it, which, depending on the state of affairs, can take more than an hour. So it is really like a project for which I have to block a time slot in my calendar.
When I started to let my hair grow in 2023 at the age of 28, I did not know how to properly handle it. I asked a little bit around my friends and family and searched through the internet for some advice on how to wash and comb it. But still, I felt really uneducated and insecure because I just lacked experience with this topic, which some might think is mundane or simple. With trial and error over time I learned my ways around it; still, I’m learning new things as time goes by.
The basic process I’m currently following for combing my hair is to first wash it and then, while it’s wet, comb it. After that, I can continue with further treatments as I like. This makes it easier to comb it, and also, it won’t hurt as much.
The important thing is when I try to rush things to speed up the process, the outcome most likely won’t be good.
But there are ways to optimize the process and time while leading to good results. First I divide the hair into two halves, fixate one half with a hair tie, and only wash the other half. Then divide the washed half into even smaller sections and comb them all individually with a detangling comb. Tie up all done sections and to-be-done sections so I can focus on the one section at hand. Go section by section till one half is done, and then continue with the second half in the same manner, washing and combing section by section. Tie up all other sections.
By creating bigger sections, I can speed up the process, but at the cost of hair still being tangled in places. If I skip all the separation into sections, I will be even faster, but as a lot of hair stays tangled up, the end result is worse, and I have to do maintenance (combing) after a shorter time period.
With all that, let’s try to find some lessons that can be applied to other fields and software development.
Dividing a big task into smaller subtasks helps to focus on the details at hand. To properly do this, it is important to get all other tasks out of the way. For me that means to tie up sections that I don’t work on.
Use the correct tools for the task. This is especially important for recurring tasks. Doing the research and learning from others on which tool is the right one for the task can greatly improve the outcome. In my case that meant finding the correct comb and the correct hair products for my hair type. In other cases this can mean which software stack to use or which machines a farmer buys.
Investing effort upfront can reduce the overall cost. Learning to do extra effort upfront comes with experience, as it naturally conflicts with other interests, like quickly finishing the task. In the context of software development, spending a little bit more time upfront to get the requirements correct, to talk with the stakeholders, and to iterate over the architecture and create use cases before starting the implementation can save you a lot in the long run, as maintenance costs are lower and customer satisfaction is higher. Finding the right balance is key here. For me, it means that combing properly means that I won’t have to do it as often.
Seek input and support from others. I got the a lot of ideas on how to improve the task by talking to family, friends and hair dressers (even so it is hard to find hair dressers that how to handle curly hair in Germany.) even so I felt insecure about this at first. Nowadays one easily might think that asking a chat bot is enough and I don’t want to burdon others with my question. I might even feel insecure about asking questions. But still, places like the Company Slack/Discord are really valuable if you get stuck, and it’s better to ask too early than to be stuck in a loop on your own.
Lastly, try to continuously learn and improve and be brave and try out new ideas.