8 Steps To Genius Mon, Nov 07, 2016

Of the handful of weekly email newsletters to which I'm subscribed, Vanessa van Edwards' The Science of Happiness newsletter tends to be the most interesting. Last week, her newsletter broke down the 8 Steps To Genius, as studied from the work and life habits of Leonardo da Vinci. 

In addition to being the world-renowned artist you and I know him to be, da Vinci was also an accomplished architect, scientist, musician, mathematician, inventor, anatomist, geologist, astronomer, cartographer, botanist, historian and writer - quite a list of talents! Michael J. Gelb had the enviable task of reading through da Vinci's personal notebooks and writings to discover how he lived differently. Here are his 8 Da Vincian Principles:

1. Curiosità: an insatiably curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning.

2. Dimostrazione: a commitment to test knowledge through experience, persistence and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

3. Sensazione: the continual refinement of the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experiences.

4. Sfumato: a willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty.

5. Arte/scienza: the development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination.

6. Corporalita: the cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise.

7. Connessione: a recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena.

8. Felicità: the cultivation of deep joy, happiness and life fulfillment.

So, there you have it. Now go be a genius.

(Or at least maybe just pick a few that you'd like to work on in your personal, everyday life :)).