Creative thinking involves two primary modes: divergent thinking and convergent thinking. Divergent thinking is about brainstorming and exploring a wide array of ideas and possibilities, starting with a single idea and letting your thoughts radiate outwards to explore many different directions. In contrast, convergent thinking often feels like solving a puzzle, and involves organizing, evaluating and narrowing down a range of potential creative solutions. Both types of thinking are essential to creativity but divergent thinking typically precedes convergent thinking, generating the original ideas that are then refined into practical applications or innovations.

This model of creativity isn’t confined to the arts: problem-solving is creative behavior, whether for work, school or navigating nuanced social situations. Technological innovations and scientific discoveries would be impossible without ideation and implementation by creative geniuses.

Anyone can increase their ability for creative work, regardless if the goal is to pursue artistic creativity or think more flexibly. The cathedral effect has demonstrated that working in an open space or space with high ceilings or outdoors can enhance creative thought, and most people will find an increase in creativity in the afternoon compared to morning.

You can foster divergent thinking through open-observer meditation, allowing thoughts to come and go without a specific target. Incorporating movement — like going for a walk or even pacing across a room — when experiencing a “non-creativity” block can help to defocus and allow new ideas and connections to surface. It would be remiss to discuss cognitive performance of any sort without highlighting the importance of sleep. Creativity research has shown that participants demonstrate a threefold increase in creative problem-solving after a full night’s sleep compared to those who remain awake.

To find and nurture creative ability, remove self-imposed pressure and expectations. Record producer and former co-president of Columbia Records Rick Rubin suggests starting the creative process in a free and playful state to generate innovative ideas, and harnessing intrinsic motivation to create something satisfying for oneself instead of focusing on external validation or praise.

You can increase your creative inspiration by making a habit of exposing yourself to diverse experiences and stimuli, even those you don’t feel particularly drawn to — such as a different genre of music or film. Each interaction serves as a new source of inspiration when brainstorming. 

Podcast guest and magician Asi Wind explains that magic tricks display an outcome that our brain cannot explain, which stimulates problem-solving and curiosity in an attempt to “solve’”the trick. You can foster similar feelings of curiosity by observing nature, like by observing wild plants and animals or trying to solve physical puzzles and games.