Book Summary Preview : How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci

Overview
Leonardo da Vinci is recognized as one of the greatest geniuses of all time. He excelled in many areas such as the creation of the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper and other classic works. Besides art, Leonardo was an architect, mathematician, philosopher, and military planner. Michael Gelb reviews and explains Leonardo’s notebooks, inventions, and works of art. He introduces readers to the Seven da Vincian Principles, essential elements of genius that can be developed. The book is a collection of illustrations, passages and exercises designed to stimulate anyone’s awareness of their own creativity. This summary will briefly explain the seven principles and provide several of the sample creative exercises.

Big Idea
1. Curiosita
An insatiably curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning. Talented people go on asking questions throughout their lives. Leonardo’s childlike sense of wonder and insatiable curiosity, his depth of interest, and his willingness to question accepted knowledge never ceased. Curiosita is the first of Leonardo’s characteristics that Gelb attributes to his genius. Make a list of 100 questions that are important to you:

How can you save more money?
Have more fun?
Purpose of your existence?
When are you most naturally yourself?
What is your greatest talent?
What legacy would you like to leave?
How are you perceived by a close friend, worst enemy, boss, etc.?

Review the list and choose the ten that seem most significant. Then rank them in importance (You can add or rearrange questions at any time). This exercise can help you focus on your priorities and learn to think more creatively.

Find a topic such as a bird in flight, and ask ten questions about it.
Why does it have two wings?
How does it take off?
Slow down?
When does it sleep?

Do the same for your career, relationship, and health. No answers yet, just questions. Pick one question and contemplate on it. For example, you could print it in large letters, find a quiet, private place and just sit with the question. Eventually the mind will incubate. Keep the pen moving. Take a break and go back and read aloud. Highlight words or phrases that speak to you most strongly. Look for themes, questions, and metaphors. The results can originate by extending a question. For example, Alexander Bell developed the telephone by modeling the ear and asking how it could be applied to other areas. . . . . . . .

Ask yourself: Who cares about it?
Affected by it?
Can solve it? How does it happen?
Can you look it from unfamiliar perspective? Where does it happen?
Did it begin?
Where else has this happened? Why is it important?
Why did it start?
Continue?
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