# divergent thinking --- Explore many different and far-reaching ideas. Break from moving in a single direction. Contrast divergent thought with [[convergent thinking]], where you bring ideas together into one direction. > Divergent thinking is cognition that leads in various directions. Some of these are conventional, and some original. Because some of the resulting ideas are original, divergent thinking represents the potential for creative thinking and problem solving. Originality is not synonymous with creative thinking, but originality is undoubtedly the most commonly recognized facet of creativity. To the degree that tests of divergent thinking are reliable and valid, they can be taken as estimates of the potential for creative thought. Not surprisingly, divergent thinking tests are among the most commonly used in creativity research. Divergent thinking tests are also used in numerous educational programs and in various organizational training packages. > > — [Mark Runco](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123750389000777) > Some things work and some things don't. There is almost always another way to get where you want to go. Don't keep trying to open a locked door. > > — James Clear > When nothing is working, explore and make a lot of small bets. After something starts working, double down on what works best. When that stops working, explore and make a lot of small bets again. > > — James Clear --- tags: #creativity #process home: [[! creative process]]