A Look At The Renaissance Man

There is a book that I wish I had read 40 years ago when I could have used motivation. Oh well, better late than never.

The book How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci gives an insight into organizing your actions, your mind and time to be more productive. Just reading the book obviously will not turn the reader into a genius, but the principles and exercises that are suggested will certainly make your life more productive and personally satisfying.

In a research into the mystery of genius, there was an effort to rank the greatest in history. Ratings in Originality, Versatility, Dominance-in-Field, Universality-of-Vision, plus Strength and Energy, put Da Vinci into top spot. No small feat when you review the competition!

Da Vinci was the illegitimate son of a prominent accountant and a peasant mother. Because of his lowly birth into society he was sent off to study art. From this humble beginning he went on to become the most celebrated genius in our recorded history.

He was an architect, botanist, city planner, costume and stage designer, chef, humorist, engineer, equestrian, inventor, maker of musical instruments, geographer, geologist, mathematician, military scientist, musician, painter, sculptor, philosopher, anatomist, physicist, accomplished vocalist, and even a renowned story teller.

He never traveled without his notebook. He watched everything around him and made copious notes and sketches. He would note gestures, facial expressions, posture, birds in flight -- horses were a special fascination to him; all were quickly included in his ever present notebook.

For those who claim greater intelligence for left-handed people they can take comfort in knowing that he was apparently a 'lefty.' He wrote many of his notes in mirrored-writing with the left hand. (He would have made it difficult for others to cheat on exams.)

He was also a vegetarian like several others in the genius category.

Just imagine how misplaced he would have been had he followed in his father's footsteps and became an accountant.

The book revealed many things that I was unaware of with this great man:

40 years before Copernicus he wrote that 'The sun does not move; the earth is not the center of the circle (orbit) of the sun, nor in the center of the universe.'

60 years before Galileo he suggested that 'a great magnifying lens' should be employed to study the heavens.

200 years before Newton he wrote his findings on gravity and on the shape of the earth.

400 years before Darwin he wrote 'Man does not differ from animals, except in what is accidental.'

With all of his talents, he had some difficulty on staying focused on any one objective. There are many projects that were never finished. It would be interesting to speculate just how much more he might have physically accomplished if he had only had the means or inclination to surround himself with other gifted people to support his genius.

Michelangelo, his arch rival, accomplished much more in his artistic output as he was both a skilled artisan and crafty businessman. He never actually painted every picture or carved every statue that carries his name. He (like Edison did in our own more recent history), gave the inspiration to others (like any good boss should) and then gave guidance.

The book's author, Michael Gelb, has studied Da Vinci's manuscripts, works of art, etc., and attempted to analyze how he arranged his time and mind to accomplish his many feats.

He has broken the process down into what he calls The Seven Da Vinci Principles.

These steps demonstrate just how genius is put together. With these steps, virtually anyone can improve their life with the determination to apply themselves. Applying the principles in this book will undoubtedly guide the reader in identifying his/her weaknesses, strengths, and areas for improvement. If your goal is simply to improve your vocabulary or learn a new language then there is something here for you.

The first principle that has been identified by the author, is curiosity. The objective under this principal is to practice procedures that will nurture and reinforce your natural curiosity.

Buy the book for that promising offspring. But wait -- do yourself a favour before you give it to her/him -- read it yourself.

Bill Gates thought so highly of Da Vinci that he spent about one day's wage ($30,000,000.00) for 30 pages of his handwritten manuscripts.

I visited KW Surplus in Kitchener one day a year or so back. They had Da Vinci'sMona Lisa for sale. The sign said '$5.00 -- Just reduced from $50,000,000.00' Darn it -- I should have bought it.

Have a nice day.