Book Read : Think Like Da Vinci
7 Easy steps to boosting your everyday genius
Author: Michael J. Gelb
Summary:
Leonardo da Vinci is widely celebrated as one of history’s greatest minds—a true polymath who seamlessly blended art, science, and invention. In Think Like Da Vinci, the author distills key principles from Da Vinci’s life and presents self-assessment exercises to help us cultivate a more fulfilling and intellectually vibrant life. This book serves as a guide on how to stimulate both the creative right brain and the logical left brain, drawing inspiration from Da Vinci’s thought process and daily habits.
The Seven Da Vincian Principles
The book introduces seven core principles inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s way of thinking and working:
Curiosità – Cultivate an insatiable curiosity and a lifelong passion for learning.
Dimostrazione – Test knowledge through experience, embracing failures as learning opportunities.
Sensazione – Sharpen the senses through keen observation and mindfulness.
Sfumato – Develop comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing space for creative insights.
Arte/Scienza – Balance logic and imagination, embracing both analytical and artistic ways of thinking.
Corporalità – Foster a strong connection between mind and body through physical well-being and movement.
Connessione – Recognize the interconnectedness of all things, maintaining a broad and holistic perspective on life.
Take aways from the book
Book has exercise to follow along. Here are some Action points that pondered me, and can work as a list to start the day with.
Ask Questions, engage in self-inquiry and question the world around you. Curiosity fuels innovation.
Create Mind Maps, organise your thoughts visually to see patterns and connections more clearly.
You should take time out for incubation (thinking) alone time
Visualise and imagine
Disconnect and let your inner brain work on the problem, sleep on the problem.
Keeping a pocket journal for noting the thoughts, it doesn’t have to be perfect and ordered, write as much as you can.
Read a lot, and digest
Take breaks to improve information digestion
Care full sharp observation, train yourself to notice details and patterns in your environment.
Use drawings, painting, sketching, music to feel and tap into creative thinking.
The book suggests that to truly think like Da Vinci, we should integrate both analytical and imaginative approaches in problem-solving, learning, and personal growth.
Leonardo da Vinci believed that science and creativity were inseparable, and he approached both with equal curiosity and rigor. He saw art and science not as opposing forces but as complementary disciplines that enrich each other. His notebooks are filled with scientific observations, mathematical studies, and artistic sketches—demonstrating how deeply he integrated both worlds.
Why This Book Matters
Think Like Da Vinci is more than just a book about Leonardo—it’s a guide for those who seek deeper connections, curiosity, and understanding of the world. It reminds us that brilliance is not reserved for the gifted but cultivated through intentional practice, exploration, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.
If you’re looking for a way to think more holistically, stimulate your creativity, and bridge the gap between art and science, this book offers invaluable insights and exercises to start your journey.