Recently I got a new bookshelf for my office. This didn’t seem like a big deal at first. I was going to place it behind my desk and go on with my day. But when I put the bookshelf where I thought it would fit, it didn’t fit. So then I had to move the other bookshelf to try a different configuration. But then I wasn’t quite sure where to put it. Then I started moving a bunch of stuff—notebooks, office supplies, the desk, the rug. I moved one bookshelf and then moved it back. I rearranged my desk configuration and then moved it again. I felt stuck. I wasn’t able to see a spatial configuration that looked right. This seemingly benign and small bookshelf catalyzed chaos and disarray.
So I took a shower.
Showering and Creativity
You may have heard people say they get their best ideas in the shower. That’s me. Showering—or running—puts me into diffuse thinking mode, which breaks me out of my hyper-focused tendencies and into a more expansive mindset. When it comes to workshop design or problem-solving, I like to go deep into a rabbit hole of planning, thinking, designing, only to come out of the other side depleted, and not always with my best work. But when I “get diffuse”—taking necessary breaks that involve movement or resting or meditating or showering—I get out of my thinking brain and into my diffuse brain, which sparks more creativity and insight.
First coined by professor Barbara Oakley, the terms “diffuse thinking” and “focused thinking” are the two modes our brain uses to learn. Oakley articulates how during focused time, we’re engaged in deep work, flow states, and productive sessions with tangible results. Much of learning happens during focused time.
At the same time, diffuse thinking is equally essential. When we allow our minds to wander—also known as our natural mode of thinking—we are subconsciously exploring the challenges we’re working to solve, which may be as momentary as staring off into space, or taking a nap, or going for a run, or yes, even showering. Together, these two thinking states work in harmony to help us solve dilemmas we’re facing or questions we’re striving to answer.
I’m not the only one who has caught onto the diffuse thinking trend. If anything, I’m late to the party. Many educators have adopted this approach in their schools and classrooms. The film company Pixar encouraged diffuse thinking while making the film Toy Story; the production team engaged in something called “plussing” sessions, in which they openly shared ideas, encouraged wild suggestions, and explored uncharted pathways in the filmmaking process. Artist Lisa Congdon shares about diffuse thinking in this podcast, and offers solutions for “getting diffuse” in times of stress.
Humanizing Professional Learning
In the workshops I lead, we do some intensely focused work, whether on redefining and redesigning professional learning, addressing inequities through mentoring work, developing skills as a coach, or exploring barriers to leadership. It’s heady and hearty. In most workshops, participants are offered choice time to explore resources, do some planning/designing, meet one-on-one with the facilitator, or “get diffuse.” I offer participants a Diffuse Thinking Activities choice board as inspiration.
When participants come back together, those who chose diffuse time are more relaxed, sometimes energized, often more contemplative. One participant in my Design Lab workshop shared the following in her feedback form:
I really like the lack of judgement (sic) in the space created—the invitation to [get] diffuse and check out in order to check back in. We all bring so much other “baggage” that allowing everyone’s humanity to exist within the learning space makes me want to invest rather than pull away. I want to bring that to all my facilitation.
Another participant shared that the choice to get diffuse “is shifting the locus of control to participants and working toward engagement, not just compliance.” And that’s the hope: honoring adult learning needs. Honoring our humanity. Downtime as necessary to learning.
Get Diffuse!
If you want to invite some diffuse time into your meetings or professional learning or just for yourself, click here to download the Diffuse Thinking Activities choice board. Let me know what you think and how you use it.
By the way, I did finally find a place for my bookshelf. It fits in seamlessly.
