How to think like Da Vinci

date Jul 26, 2007
authors Michael Gelb
reading time 2 mins
  • Book Title: How to think like Leonardo Da Vinci: 7 steps to the Genius Every day
  • Author: Micahel J. Gelb
  • Year written/published: 1998
  • My Comments: i’m awed by the talent and the brilliance of Leonardo Da Vinci.
  • Some extracts:

7 intelligences and some genius examples…

  1. Logical-mathematical - Stephen Hawking, Newton, Marie Curie
  2. verbal-Intelligence - Shakespeare
  3. Spatial-Mechanical - Michelangelo, Buckminster Fuller
  4. Musical - Mozart, Gershwin
  5. Bodily-Kinesthetic - Muhammad Ali
  6. Interpersonal-Social - Mandela, Gandhi
  7. Intrepersonal - Mother Teresa

7 Da Vincian Principles…

  1. Curiosita - An insatiable curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning
  2. Dimostrazione - A commitment to test knowledge through experience, persistence, and a willingness to learn form mistakes
  3. Sensazione - The continual refinement of senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience
  4. Sfumato - A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty
  5. Arte/Scienza - The development of the Balance between science and art, logic and imagination. ‘Whole-brain thinking’
  6. Corporalita - The cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise
  7. Connessione - A recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena. Systems thinking.

Curiosita…

  • i keep a journal/notebook to record my insights
  • i take adequate time for contemplation and reflection
  • i am always learning something new
  • i am a voracious reader
  • i learn from little children
  • i know/involved in learning non-native languages
  • my friends describe me as open minded and curious

Domostrazione

  • i am willing to acknowledge my mistakes
  • i learn from mistakes and rarely repeat them
  • i can articulate mu most fundamental beliefs and the reasons i hold them
  • i persevere in the face of obstacles

Sensazione

  • i enjoy describing one sense in terms of another
  • i am aware of the role of synthesia in the thinking of great artists and scientists

sfumato…

  • i am comfortable with ambiguity
  • i am attuned to the rhythms of my intuition
  • i thrive with change
  • i see humour in everyday life
  • i trust my gut
  • i can comfortably hold contradictory ideas in my mind
  • i appreciate the importance of conflict in inspiring creativity

arte/scienza

  • i like details
  • i am always on time
  • i am skilled at math
  • i rely on logic
  • i write clearly
  • analysis is one of my strengths
  • i am organised and disciplined
  • i like lists
  • i am highly imaginative
  • i am good at brainstorming
  • i love to doodle
  • i rely on intuition
  • i prefer to look at the big picture and leave the details to someone else

Corporalita

  • i am aerobically fit
  • i am getting stronger
  • my flexibility is improving
  • i am well coordinated

connessione

  • i am ecologically aware
  • i enjoy similes, analogies and metaphor
  • i frequently make connections that people don’t see
  • when i travel i’m struck more my similarities of people than their differences
  • i have a well-developed sense of proportion
  • i somehow experience a sense of connectedness with all creation