Thread by @samuelbars

A few days ago I found this screenshot about how the creative process is going from divergence to convergence

Something we learned in BASB

Thought about it today again, and realized how important it is

let me expand 👇

The first step to creativity is about expanding your horizons, throwing a wider net to catch unexpected ideas.

https://twitter.com/david_perell/status/979403583312547841?s=20

That's the time to explore the Internet, dive into rabbit holes, read books, talk with people, and take notes about the best of it

https://twitter.com/david_perell/status/979403598965723136?s=20

Publishing at least part of your thought process at that time is really worth it
Interactions with other bring valuable input and feedback

https://twitter.com/samuelbars/status/1303090191289196554?s=20

Warning, don't put yourself in any box

Just follow your curiosity. What are the questions and issues I feel an urge to understand better (scratch ur own itch)? What is the thing I want to read most right now? What are the exciting links hidden in my bookmarks tab?

When you've amassed so many highlights, ideas, and conversations that you feel overwhelmed, take a break and prepare for STEP 2: CONVERGENCE

While divergence is about expansion and widening horizons, convergence is the opposite.

Divergence is necessary to be creative

But nothing will be created without narrowing down your vision, energy, and attention

In my experience, this is broader than individual projects

I "diverge" over a span of days/weeks. Then I take a look at my notes, try to identify big themes in what I've been thinking and learning about recently, and start organizing info before writing

https://twitter.com/visakanv/status/1174072067320246272?s=20

What you should avoid though is forcing yourself to find a "perfect organizing structure to make sense of everything I know"

Just find interesting connections, ideas, contradictions, and start there

https://twitter.com/visakanv/status/1174068384985575424?s=20

I think focusing on a few projects only (by which I mean a list of tasks to produce a deliverable) is best to maximize your brain capacity and have the headspace to see the big picture/narrative/logical sequence of what you do

That's what convergence is...
Reducing scope to improve thinking, writing, and to actually get things done.

https://twitter.com/dvassallo/status/1190062622709702658?s=20

I like to cut down ACTIVE creative projects to like 3, and the others are hidden until I pull them out again.
I also actively delete or archive projects that are not relevant anymore
(how I do it in Roam 👇)

https://twitter.com/samuelbars/status/1325734021565997056?s=20

Then in your creative projects, you also have to be aware of the scope and most likely shrink it

It's about finding that one big idea, narrative, or perspective that'll be the core of what you create

https://twitter.com/samuelbars/status/1314555975060328448?s=20

As you converge further you'll end up with a deliverable, whether it's an essay or an ad, and then you can start the cycle all over again.

I've been going into the practical details here but that's not just it. This perspective also helps me deal with the emotional journey of creation, through a simple natural rhythm

Inhale, exhale
Listen, speak
Diverge, converge