How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci

I have been glimpsing through this interesting book by Michael Gelb who studied Leonardo Davinci's writings and found 7 key principles behind what made Davinci the genius he was. Below is his list. 

Davinci's 7 Keys to Genius

1. Curiosità: An insatiably 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 from mistakes.
3. Sensazione: The continual refinement of the 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. Corporalitá: 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.

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*Which one of these seven habits can you work on this month???

Want to have ideas of how....try some of the self-assessments and activities from his book. The book has been outlined in an interactive online mind-map so you can find which you are interested in. Mind mapping is awesome! Click on the link above to try the mind map.

*Paul and I did the Curiosity 1st activity that is to jot down 100 questions that come to your mind as fast as you can. Then you go through them and find what common themes are. And narrow down your ten most important questions. IT was a fun activity.

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Here are the assessments from the book for each of the seven points.

Curiosita

ü  I keep a journal or notebook to record my insights and questions

ü  I take adequate time for contemplation and reflection

ü  I am always learning something new

ü  When I am faced with an important decision, I actively seek our different perspectives

ü  I am a voracious reader

ü  I learn from little children

ü  I am skilled at identifying and solving problems

ü  My friends would describe me as open-minded and curious

ü  When I hear or read a new word or phrase I look it up and make note of it

ü  I know a lot about other cultures and am always learning more

ü  I know or am involved in learning a language other than my native tongue

ü  I solicit feedback from my friends and relations and colleagues

ü  I love learning

Dimostrazione

ü  I am willing to acknowledge my mistakes

ü  My closest friends would agree that I am willing to acknowledge my mistakes

ü  I learn from my mistakes and rarely make the same one twice

ü  I question “conventional wisdom” and authority

ü  When a celebrity I admire endorses a product, I am more likely to buy it

ü  I can articulate my most fundamental beliefs and the reasons I hold them

ü  I have changed a deeply held belief because of practical experience

ü  I persevere in the face of obstacles

ü  I view adversity as an opportunity for growth

ü  I am sometimes susceptible to superstition

ü  In considering new ideas my friends say that I’m: a)gullible/”new-agey”, b) close-minded cynic, or c) open-minded skeptic

Sensazione

ü  I am sensitive to color harmonies and clashes

ü  I know the color of all my friends’ eyes

ü  I look out into the far horizon and up to the sky at least once a day

ü  I am good at describing a scene in detail

ü  I like doodling and drawing

ü  Friends would describe me as alert

ü  I am sensitive to subtle changes in lighting

ü  I can picture things clearly in my mind’s eye

Sfumato

ü  I am comfortable with ambiguity

ü  I am attuned to the rhythms of my intuition

ü  I thrive with change

ü  I see humor in everyday life

ü  I have a tendency to “jump to conclusions”

ü  I enjoy riddles, puzzles and puns

ü  I usually know when I’m feeling anxious

ü  I spend sufficient time on my own

ü  I trust my gut

ü  I can comfortably hold contradictory ideas in my mind

ü  I delight in paradox and am sensitive to irony

ü  I appreciate the importance of conflict in inspiring creativity

Arte/Scienza

ü  I like details

ü  I am almost always on time

ü  I am skilled at math

ü  I rely on logic

ü  I write clearly

ü  Friends describe me as very articulate

ü  Analysis is one of my strengths

ü  I am organized and disciplined

ü  I like lists

ü  I read a book starting at page one and go through in order

ü  I am highly imaginative

ü  I am good at brainstorming

ü  I often say or do the unexpected

ü  I love to doodle

ü  I am better at geometry than algebra

ü  I read a book by skipping around

ü  I prefer to look at the big picture ad leave details to someone else

ü  I often lose track of time

ü  I rely on intuition

Corporalita

ü  I am aerobically fit

ü  I am getting stronger

ü  My flexibility is improving

ü  I know when my body is tense or relaxed

ü  I am knowledgable about diet and nutrition

ü  Friends would describe me as graceful

ü  I am becoming more ambidextrous

ü  I am aware of the ways in which my physical astate affects my attitudes

ü  I have a good understanding of practical anatomy

ü  I am well coordinated

ü  I love to move

Connessione

ü  I am ecologically aware

ü  UI enjoy similies, analogies and metaphor

ü  I frequently make connections that others don’t see

ü  When I travel I am struck more by people’s similarities than their differences

ü  I seek a holistic approach to diet, health and healing

ü  I have a well-developed sense of proportion

ü  I can articulate the systems dynamics—the patterns, connections, and networks—in my family and workplace

ü  My life goals and priorities are formulated clearly and integrated with my values and sense of purpose

ü  I sometimes experience a sense of connectedness with all Creation

Goodreads: Daring Greatly

I really enjoyed the Daring Greatly book by Brene Brown. I didn't want to read it because it was some book by a psychologist on having courage to be vulnerable and frankly that didn't seem at all appealing or needed, but I had already checked it out, via a friend's high praise for it, before I knew what it was. So...I thought I'd peruse. And when I did I started enjoying it. 

I liked this book because as a parent I want to raise my children to reach their greatest potential and for our home to be filled with love. (Which at times seems hard--like when I'm yelling at Ethan)

So....here are my notes (and some graphics I found online that go along with them). I hope you find time to read this book if that is also important to you...

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What we know matters, but who we are matters more!

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3 Lies of Scarcity (the never-enough problem)

1. Shame: ridicule, belittling? self-worth tied to achievement, productivity, compliance? blaming and fingerprinting? perfectionism?

2. Comparison: held to a narrow standard instead of acknowledged for unique gifts and contributions?

3. Disengagement: fear of taking risks or trying new things? Easier to stay quiet than share? Does it feel no one is listening or paying attention--struggling to be seen or heard?

Quoted Lynne Twist: “When you let go of trying to get more of what you don’t really need, it frees up oceans of energy to make a difference with what you have.  When you make a difference with what you have, it expands.

“I suggest that if you are willing to let go, let go of the chase to acquire or accumulate always more and let go of that way of perceiving the world, then you can take all that energy and attention and invest it in what you have.  When you do that you will find unimagined treasures, and wealth of surprising and even stunning depth and diversity.”

“The happiest and most joyful people I know are those who express themselves through channeling their resources – money, when they have it – on to their highest commitments.  Theirs is a world where the experience of wealth is in sharing what they have, giving, allocating, and expressing themselves authentically with the money they put in flow.” 

Buddha “ told his followers that whatever they chose to give their attention, their love, their appreciation, their listening, and their affirmation to would grow in their life and in the world.”  So when we focus on what we lack (too busy, not enough money, not pretty enough or skinny enough, etc.)  – well, that’s all we get.

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Vulnerability:  uncertainty, risk, emotional exposure

Need to name shame in your life to identify it so as to overcome it.

We either own our stories or we stand outside them

Test how self-compassionate you are at this link...

Mindfulness: taking a balanced approach to negative emotions. Don't over-identify or exaggerate emotions.

Perfectionism:

- is more about perception than internal motivation

- self-destructive/a form of shame...try to minimize shame, judgment and personal blame; which leads to further shame, blame, "not good enough"

- is not same as striving for excellence. It's defensive and compares to others and seeks outward approval.

- hampers real achievement in long run and leads to depression, addiction, missed opportunities and contentment.

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. - Voltaire

2 Guiding Strategies (on listening to external voices)
1. Only accept and pay attention to feedback from those who are  "in the arena" with you

2. Have a list of names of people whose opinions matter to you. To be on that list they must love you for your strengths and weaknesses

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Strategy (what we want to achieve) vs. Culture (what we are)

10 questions about family culture

The "disengagement divide": who we are vs. what we know/who we want to be (our practiced values in conflict with our expectations)

- identify your expectations...manageable?realistic? On self and others? The same.

Leader: one who holds the self accountable for finding potential in people and processes

Learning and creating are inherently vulnerable. Ask questions. Be ok looking the fool.

Signs of Shame in your Culture: blame, criticism, gossip, favoritism, name calling, harassment

Vs.
Daring Greatly Culture: honest, constructive, engaged feedback given with empathy (not force or shame) discomfort is normal and going to happen...cultivate courage to be uncomfortable as part of growth. Empathy, accountability and belonging.

Blame: the discharging of pain and discomfort
Shame can only rise so far in any system before people disengage to protect themselves.

"If blame is driving, shame is riding shotgun."

Guilt (did something bad) vs. shame (you are bad)

Shame is painful for children because it is linked to the fear of being unlovable. And they are dependent on parents for all--feeling unloveable s a threat to survival. Trauma.

You can't shame proof children. But can nurture and build worth and create culture of worth, not shame.

If we feel good about ourselves we don't have to say mean thing about others.

Hope is a function of struggle. Our stories of being enough, begin in our families. We either fight to reclaim our self worth or gain hope, courage and resilience. Compassion and connection give meaning and purpose within our families.

If you're uncomfortable in your role as a leader, it's almost certain you are not reaching your potential as a leader.