Divergence vs. Convergence: Finding Balance for Productivity and Innovation

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Understanding the concepts of divergence and convergence can help individuals make informed decisions about using new research or existing knowledge. People tend to lean towards either divergence or convergence; divergent individuals explore ideas freely but may struggle to complete tasks, while convergent individuals are practical and good at finishing tasks but may find it challenging to be open-minded. Recognizing one's bias towards divergence or convergence can enable productive collaborations with individuals who have the opposite tendency. By being aware of their current mode, individuals can harness the power of both divergence and convergence for increased productivity and innovation.

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What is a "commonplace book"? What traits are desirable in "second brain" tools? What are some common mistakes people make in note-taking? What should we take notes about? What are some useful methods of organizing, distilling, remembering, and taking action on notes? How much information should we hold in our brains and how much should be offloaded to a second brain? What are creative convergence and divergence?

Tiago Forte is the founder of Forte Labs and one of the world's foremost experts on productivity. He has taught more than 20,000 people worldwide through his programs and writes and speaks on how technology can help knowledge workers revolutionize their personal effectiveness. Tiago's online course, Building a Second Brain, has produced more than 5,000 graduates from over 70 countries. In a previous life, he worked in microfinance in Latin America, served in the Peace Corps in Ukraine, and consulted for large companies on product development in San Francisco. He lives in Long Beach, California, with his wife Lauren, son Caio, and dog Ximena. Lear more about him at buildingasecondbrain.com or follow him on Twitter at @fortelabs.

By the way: We've summarized this episode's key takeaways in a Thought Saver card deck to help you remember these ideas forever! You can explore the deck here: https://app.thoughtsaver.com/share/MT6EwJ82pO

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