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• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Define divergent thinking
• Method 2 of 3: Encourage divergent thinking
• Method 3 of 3: Practicing divergent thinking techniques

Have you ever experienced a situation where you just can't find the right answer or the right solution? If so, you could give divergent thinking a try. This creative thinking process explores the different parts of a particular topic and helps you formulate different possibilities to solve it, within a short period of time. Divergent thinking is not a difficult process as long as you know what to do.

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Method 1 of 3: Define divergent thinking

Divergent thinking is a form of creative thinking, so a problem is viewed in a way that is not necessarily obvious. Instead of settling for a middle ground or no answer at all, try to resolve the issue by asking "what if I try it this way?" Divergent thinking stimulates seeking and considering new and different methods, new and different possibilities, new and different ideas and / or new and different solutions.

1. Use the right hemisphere. The left side of our brain is rational, analytical and guiding, while the right brain is the part of the brain where we get our creativity, intuition and emotional expression. It plays a key role in divergent thinking and the creative problem solving that depends on it. Divergent thinking is spontaneous, free-flowing, and non-linear. It uses lateral, nontraditional and unconventional thinking patterns.
2. Deviate from the standard problem-solving techniques used in schools. Creative thinking is necessary to solve problems, but we often don't use that in the classroom. Instead, linear convergent thinking is required when creating multiple choice questions, just to name a typical example. This is not how divergent thinking solves problems, as it is linked to four main characteristics:
   • Flow - the ability to quickly generate numerous ideas or solutions.
   • Flexibility - the ability to think about different solutions to a problem at the same time.
   • Originality - the ability to generate ideas that most people don't think about.
   • Elaboration - the ability not only to work out an idea in detail, but also to be able to execute it.

Method 2 of 3: Encourage divergent thinking

1. Learn how to think and meditate. Explore the way you learn, then create new patterns. When you're done, think about it. For ideas that are more theoretical, try to figure out how to connect them to your life and what you've learned from experiments you've conducted in the past.
2. Force yourself to look from unusual points of view. Do this even if it seems strange. For example, imagine your life as a party room, and you are one of the dishes. Now judge the table from the different points of view of the eaters.
   • What do they expect to see on that table?
   • What will disappoint them if it is not discussed?
   • Is there anything on the table that's absurd like a hairdryer?
   • How can you make the dish tastier, and what can you add to make it more unappealing?
   • Challenging your imagination will get your brain used to thinking in new patterns, and creating new ideas will become easier.
3. Learn how to ask questions. Divergent thinking is not so much about finding answers as it is about asking the question to get those answers. Asking the right question will help you find what you are looking for. The challenge, however, is figuring out what kind of questions to ask.
   • The better you can formulate specific questions that address the differences, the better your chance of success becomes.
   • Simplify complicated matter by breaking it up into pieces. Then surface each of these by asking, "What if?"

Method 3 of 3: Practicing divergent thinking techniques

1. Brainstorm for ideas. This technique is a tool that builds on ideas. One idea generates another idea, which then produces another idea, and so on, until a list of random ideas is compiled in a creative and unstructured way. When you are brainstorming with a group, you give everyone the opportunity to think freely. Don't look for a practical solution. Instead, collect ideas that have virtually nothing to do with the actual problem.
   • No idea is too crazy, and all ideas are included.
   • After generating a long list of ideas, it is time to go back and evaluate the ideas for their value or usefulness.
2. Keep a diary. Using a journal, you can record and keep track of the spontaneous ideas people have in unusual moments and places. A member of the brainstorming team can be appointed to write down these ideas. The diary can then eventually grow into a sourcebook of ideas that can be further developed and organized.
3. Write without limits. Focus on a specific topic and keep writing about it for a short period of time. Write down everything that comes to mind, as long as it is about the topic. Don't worry about punctuation or grammar. Write. You can organize, correct and revise the content later. The goal is to take a topic and then come up with various ideas about it in a short session.
4. Create a visual of the subject or a mind map. Transform the brainstorming ideas into a visual map or image. Make sure that the visuals indicate the relationship between the ideas. For example: Your topic could be about how to start a business.
   • Write "Start a Business" in the center of a piece of paper and draw a circle around it.
   • Suppose you have been able to come up with 4 sub-topics about products / services, financing and employees.
   • Draw 4 lines, one for each sub-topic, from the circle containing the main topic. Your drawing will now look like a child's drawing of a sun.
   • Draw a circle at the end of each of these lines. Write one of the 4 subtopics (products / services, financing and employees) in each of these smaller circles.
   • Now suppose you have created two underlying topics within these sub-topics. For example: "products / services" think of "dresses" and "shoes" and "financing" think of "loan" and "savings."
   • So now you draw two lines from each of the circles with the sub-subjects, creating something that looks like mini suns with two rays.
   • At the end of each line (or "ray"), draw a smaller circle and write in each of the subjects underlying the subtopics. For example: From the sub-topic of "products / services", write "dresses" in one of the circles for the underlying topics and "shoes" in the other. From the sub-topic of "financing", write "loan" in one of the circles for the underlying topics and "savings" in the other.
   • When you are ready, this card can be used to further develop the topic. This includes both divergent and convergent thinking.
5. Arrange your ideas in an innovative way. To get the best results you will need to apply both divergent thinking and convergent thinking. Both play an important role in the process. Divergent provides the creativity while convergent thinking can analyze and evaluate the creative ideas and reduce them to the core.