Lessons from da Vinci

“Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation ... even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.”
~Leonardo da Vinci

Some of my favorite factoids about this man:

• A vegetarian
• Bought caged birds just to release them
• Did daily aerobics and stretching exercises (yoga?!)
• Kept journals of lists, ideas, drawings

Here is Wikihow’s (love this!) summary of the steps to think more like Leonardo da Vinci:

1. Be curious: ask questions, cultivate an open mind
2. Test knowledge: experience, question, learn from mistakes
3. Refine senses: enhance sight, draw, practice mindfulness
4. Embrace uncertainty and mystery: practice the Socratic method – ask questions rather than give answers
5. Balance art and science, combine logic and imagination
6. Cultivate fitness and poise: physical fitness, body awareness, ambidexterity*
7. Recognize interconnection of all things: “systems thinking”

*Ambidexterity! This is one I can start practicing… left hand for teeth brushing, unlocking my bike, eating, etc.