This post may be a little of "postcards from the edge"–and it is a retread from my blog. I'm a big believer in the importance of creativity and non-linear thinking. One of my favorite books is How to Think like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day, by Michael Gelb. From his website:
Michael J. Gelb, is the world’s leading authority on the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development. He is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning, and innovative leadership.
I count this book as one of the cornerstones in my own personal/professional development. In this book, Gelb lays out what he calls Seven Davincian Principles—a distillation of the seven things that are common to genius–and exemplified by our acclaimed geniuses. I believe that there is genius within all of us. Why not give that genius a little fresh air?
To give you a kick start, I wanted to present the Seven Davincian Principles. In resurrecting my former post, I was reminded that I used to have these by my desk as a reminder to integrate these principles into my everyday matters I will post them in a conspicuous place again, for I believe that they are that important:
The Seven Davincian Principles
Curiosita—An insatiably curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest
for continuous learning.Dimostrazione—A commitment to test knowledge through experience,
persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
Sensazione—The continual refinement of the senses, especially sight, as the
means to enliven experience.
Sfumate (literally “Going up in Smoke”)—A willingness to embrace ambiguity,
paradox, and uncertainty.Arte/Scienza—The development of the balance between science and art, logic
and imagination. “Whole-brain” thinking.Corporalita—The cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise.
Connessione—A recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness
of all things and phenomena. Systems thinking.
Source: How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Everday, Michael J. Gelb, p. 9.
It's not a large jump to see how these principles can operate within our own personal and professional lives. These principles present for us a personal "balanced score card" providing avenues of development that we may not have traveled previously.
After reading this book, I was inspired to get an artist's sketch pad. I then forced myself to do something that I've never done beyond stick figures: draw. My first subject was my ancient cat, Kip. In trying to draw him, I was forced to do something that I had never done before–SEE him–his contours, his shades of gray and the perfect curvature of his eyes.
If any of these principles resonate with you and you want to see your own genius like I saw my cat, then I hope that this post inspires you to explore your own creativity and find a means to give voice to it. In a future post, I'll introduce you to mind mapping.
