15. Rediscovering Divergence
Be an original. Be a visionary.
We’re born with wild, curious minds, full of creativity, questions, and big dreams. But from a young age, we’re taught that fitting in makes life smoother . Blending in, following unspoken rules, and going with the flow often feels safer and easier than standing out. Over time, this pressure to conform can quiet our creativity and curiosity. We learn to play it safe and color inside the lines. To live authentically and capture abundance, we need to rise above these pressures and reconnect with the original curiosity that drives our creative minds.
Studies* show that 98% of 3- to 5-year-olds score at the genius level in divergent thinking. By ages 8 to 10, that number drops to around 30%, then to 10% by the early teen years, and finally down to just 2% by adulthood. The spark of original thinking that’s natural in early childhood is dimmed for most as we age, often replaced by conformity and rigid perspectives.
Whether it’s peer pressure, mindless scrolling, conditioning, the educational system, or our brain’s own wiring, one thing is clear: as we grow, we drift from divergent thinking. We lose that spark of imagination that makes us creators, innovators, and originals. We become less practiced at wondering, imagining, and choosing a different path. Most of us don’t even realize it’s happening, but if we want it back, it’s our own responsibility.
Divergent thinking fuels freedom and originality. It gives us idea‑generation in a posture of living from possibilities instead of limitations. If we’re going to live abundantly, we need environments and practices that nurture divergence and non-conformity.
Take one last look over your shoulder.
Say goodbye to conformity. Say hello to the bold, original you.
The Comfort of Conformity
Conformity itself is not a bad thing, and a certain level is necessary for social cohesion, safety, and smooth daily life.
Belonging: We all crave inclusion. Conforming helps us feel accepted, avoid conflict, and fit into our social circles.
Order: Societies function more easily when people follow shared norms. It keeps teams, families, and communities running smoothly.
Security: Looking to others for behavioral cues protects us—from social rejection or even legal consequences.
Efficiency: It’s easier to follow the path already laid out until we are sure of our footing. Resistance at every turn encumbers us with negativity.
But what happens when we conform too much?
The Cost of Excessive Conformity
Too much conformity dims individuality and dulls potential.
Loss of Self: When we always fit the mold, we lose touch with who we are. Creativity and expression shrink. Identity struggles surface.
Stigmatization: Those who dare to stand out are labeled: difficult, broken, unteachable.
Suppressed Innovation: Environments that discourage originality stay stuck. They fear new ideas, and with them, progress.
Fear-Based Living: We play small to avoid judgment, rejection, or failure—forgetting that originality is our superpower.
Peer Pressure & Manipulation: When fitting in matters more than standing up, it’s easier to be led astray—by trends, by toxic leaders, by fear.
Internal Tension: Living out of sync with your values creates emotional friction. You may look fine on the outside, but inside, there’s a war.
You weren’t meant to blend in. You were meant to break through.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
—Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Imagination Has No Map
Divergent thinkers see the world as it could be, not just as it is. They notice patterns and ask why, what if, and why not. They imagine what others overlook. They think differently, which means they can build differently. They look for multiple solutions and paths to a result where others see only one. They imagine possibilities that haven’t been mapped out yet, and if they are bold enough, explore them despite any mountains they have to climb.
Divergent thinking is where your curiosity and voice don’t get filtered to fit. You don’t have to squeeze your ideas into a pre-approved mold. It’s joyful, challenging, and wildly liberating.
Bring back the part of you that’s always been a little different, a little curious, a little wired to wonder. Let it flow and don’t let anything stop you. Don’t suppress your uniqueness. Even if your ideas seem odd to the world, don’t shrink back. Uniqueness is often the beginning of innovation and a little weirdness is golden!
Your ability to step into new thought channels should be celebrated. Explore unexpected avenues and visionary solutions. Brainstorm with yourself and others for unconventional approaches. Give yourself permission to think outside the lines, test bold ideas, and create better solutions.
Divergent thinkers change the world because they stand out. So go ahead. Let your mind wander. Imagine the impossible. And most of all, love this part of you.
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
— Often attributed to Gandhi
The Path From Conformity to Divergence
Stepping away from society’s expectations is rarely smooth. You’ll meet both admiration and resistance, sometimes in the same breath.
When we change, we disrupt the system.
We challenge the script others are comfortable with.
Original thinking disturbs the psychological safety that conformity can provide.
Divergence unsettles comfort zones and some won't understand it.
Individuality triggers insecurity and fear.
Others will feel envious that you dared to do what they haven’t.
Don’t let that stop you. Generations following in your footsteps will call you bold and innovative.
Transitioning from status quo will be met at three levels:
Initially: With Suspicion or Criticism
Change unsettles people. When you challenge the norms of your circle you may be seen as rebellious, disruptive, arrogant, or even threatening. Those who think or behave differently may be labeled: Weird, Difficult, Unrealistic, Troublemakers
During Transition: With Curiosity or Conflict
As your ideas begin to catch on or gain traction, you may become polarizing. Some will admire your courage; others will double down on resistance. Expect periods of loneliness, tension, or even personal sacrifice.
Later: With Admiration and Reverence
Original thinkers are celebrated as visionaries, leaders, or heroes. The same people once labeled “misfits” are later described as bold, brilliant, or ahead of their time. They are the ones who stretch boundaries, shift perspectives, and move the world forward. The challenge is enduring the resistance long enough for others to see what you saw all along. Your divergence becomes your legacy.
When you heal, level up, grow, you will lose some people. That is okay. You will gain others who celebrate your uniqueness. Don’t stay stuck in the comfort of conformity when your individuality holds so much more.
History Belongs to the Non-Conformists
Think about those who dared to live differently:
Rosa Parks sat down and sparked a movement.
Galileo challenged the cosmos and changed science forever.
Martin Luther King Jr. gave his life for a dream that still echoes.
Einstein, Mandela, Jobs, the Suffragettes—none of them fit the mold. That’s why they changed the world.
They were criticized, doubted, even punished. But eventually, celebrated.
And above them all, Jesus, God in the flesh, challenged man-made systems, religious hypocrisy, and cultural expectations. His life, death, and resurrection transformed history and eternity. From healing on the Sabbath to redefining greatness as servanthood, His teachings and actions modeled a profoundly divergent way of thinking that improved societal norms. He redefined righteousness and introduced radical new ways of thinking about God, others, and self. The Sermon on the Mount is a masterclass on divergent thinking, elevating conventional thought and inviting humanity into a higher, countercultural way of living where the poor are blessed, enemies are loved, and motives matter more than appearances.
Unapologetically You
Once you activate your divergent thinking, it will be nearly impossible to put it back to sleep. The moment your world starts to open, you will see visions expand, ideas multiply, and possibilities emerge. You will discover ways to build, speak, imagine, and move forward, no longer dragging the weight of everyone’s expectations behind you.
Allow yourself to step away from the conformity performance and step on to the divergent stage. Learn to challenge the familiar with fresh vision. Create from the inside out. You don’t need to ask for permission or check in with public opinion to live with purpose.
You stop saying yes just to keep the peace.
You stop holding back to stay likable.
You stop pretending you don’t see what you see.
You start saying no to what doesn’t align.
You take bold steps that feel true, even if they’re scary.
You trust your intuition over the crowd.
You use your voice, gifts, and convictions to shape something better.
Show up uncensored, but rooted and anchored, with your bold thoughts and ideas.
If everyone stepped out of fear and into their divergent potential, imagine what could be created. There are businesses, movements, ideas, healing, beauty, and breakthroughs waiting to be born.
And when you step out of the mold, you give others permission to do the same. That’s how change begins. That’s how the world shifts. You can change the world.
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