The shortest route between two points is a straight line.

But creativity often means trying multiple paths. If you always take the straight line, you wouldn’t discover the Brachistochrone curve 1, where the fastest route is not a straight line.

Sometimes brainstorming, or other divergent thinking exercises, can feel like busywork. It’s just faster to go with what you’ve done in the past, or with your first idea. There may be a better path to your desired outcome, but you’ll never get there if you always take the path of least resistance.