How to Think Like Da Vinci

Michael J. Gelb’s bestseller “How to think like Leonardo da Vinci” teaches some excises to explore the full capacity of our brain. It includes the seven principles namely curiosita, dimostrazione, sensazione, sfumato, arte/scienza, corporalita and connesione. The main purpose of all these principles does not only develop the intellectual side of a person but the holistic side as well. For example, arte/scienza is the development of the balance of science and art, logic and imagination. Studies show that creative or imaginative people utilize more of the right side of their brain, thus often referred to as right-brainers. Whereas those people relying mostly on their logical and scientific reasoning are referred to as left-brainers. As explained by the author, the balance of the both left and right brain could be developed using “mind-mapping method”. Mind mapping encourages spreading the ideas one-by-one graphically so that scattered thoughts would later be corrected. This method helps one to be a balanced thinker because it draws out not only the person’s creative strengths but the analytical abilities as well. Arte/scienza is thus called the “whole-brain” thinking.

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With the advent of different technologies nowadays, people have become more resourceful in finding ways to enhance a balanced thinking and a balanced life. However, there are some simple things people do to enhance their manner of thinking. One of which is listening to music. Some people listen to music, especially the classical ones to help them feel relaxed and be able to relieve from stress. Stress affects sharp focus and analytical capability. It also alters one’s creative thinking. So some people indulge themselves into music as a stress-relief to aide them to become more focused on their work. Other people are fond of some relaxation exercises like yoga. As a physical activity, many people believe yoga to be extremely effective for various mental disorders. Aside from that, it is also an effective exercise to help boost concentration, impulse control, sense of balance and internal harmony. By doing either of these exercises, one has enhanced one’s strength, energy, vitality, flexibility and levels of endurance. With these altogether, balance of thinking is achieved.