Here are a few of our favorite Big Ideas + Other Cool Stuff from Week 5 of Michael Gelb's 5-week course How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci.
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The Context
Michael Gelb is the world’s leading authority on the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development. He is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning, and innovative leadership and author of the bestselling How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci.
You will be guided in the application of 7 principles for thinking like Leonardo, through a proven series of practical exercises, to your deepest life questions.
This week, we talked about the final Principle Conessione+Goal Setting!
Let's check out a couple of our favorite Big Ideas from this week:
Big Idea #1: Conessione!
Conessione is the recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena. Another name for Conessione is systems thinking: understanding how things influences each other within a whole. An example of a Conessione question is, "Does a butterfly in Tokyo influence the weather in New York?" da Vinci would say "Yes!"
Centuries before we considered our universal connectedness da Vinci observed:
"The earth is moved from its position by the weight of a tiny bird resting upon it." -Leonardo da Vinci
What does this have to do with you?
Noticing the connection between different ideas/concepts and daily experiences helps one tap into the essential truths and patterns of the universe! We can get stuck when we seek a narrow definition of a problem or solution, but if we pull our metaphorical magnifying glass away from specific problem we will see the "big picture." The big picture takes the drama out of problems and help us see the multiple layers of an issue and make informed decisions.
Big Idea #2: Geniuses Are Prepared for Inspiration
It's 3am. Your lying in bed and you suddenly experience a wonderful idea!
What do you do?
Most people, roll over and say, "I'll get to it in the morning."
Geniuses wake up and record these insights immediately unto a piece of paper or better yet their daily journal. We never know when inspiration will strike. Great ideas often happen when we aren't looking for them whether in the shower, driving, or on a walk. When we record even the smallest idea we send a signal to the brain that we're listening and ready to tap into more of our creative intelligence!
Big Idea #3: Genius Goal Setting
Goal setting is a fun way to tap into the richness of da Vincian thinking and realize what we desire to be, have, or do! Gelb provides a revised version of the common S.M.A.R.T goal setting system inspired by da Vinci:
S-Specific: It’s nice to want to be “rich”, “happy” and “successful” but these kinds of terms are too general and vague. Instead of focusing on becoming “rich”, for example, determine the exact amount of money you would like to have. For all your goals, define exactly what you want to accomplish in detail.
M-Measurable: How will you know that you’ve achieved your goal? How will you monitor your progress? Determine the criteria you will use to measure your achievement.
A-Accountable: Make a full commitment to be personally responsible for achieving your goal. When setting goals in a team, be certain that accountability is clear.
R-Relevant: Ensure that your goals are relevant to your overall purpose and values.
T-Timeline: Create a clear timeline for the achievement of your goals. Without a clear timeline you are just fantasizing rather than goal-setting.
Gelb also shares a goal-setting system by the prolific inventor, Thomas Edison. He developed many devices that greatly influences life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. Edison accomplished these goals through concrete deadlines and enthusiasm. Here is an acronym E.D.I.S.O.N:
E-Emotion: Thomas Edison was intensely passionate about his goals. His biographers referred to him as the living embodiment of the phrase: “I want what I want when I want it.” Hence,Make sure you have a deep emotional connection to any goal you want to accomplish!
D-Decisive: Goals aren’t realized through wishing and hoping. Instead, like Edison, be decisive about what you intend to achieve. Make a committed decision, even if you can’t yet see how you will get to your goal.
I-Integration: Always consider how each goal you set will work with your other goals. (Hint: Link your goals to a higher purpose beyond your own personal benefit.) Edison’s goals expressed a life philosophy that he described as “bringing out the secrets of nature and applying them for the happiness of man.”
S-Sensory: Edison drew pictures and built three-dimensional models to represent his goals. Use all your senses to vividly imagine the manifestation of your goal.
O-Optimistic: Optimism drives success and innovation. Edison’s optimism was so powerful that it influenced everyone around him to perform beyond what they believed to be possible.
N-Now: Express your goal in present-centered terms and begin working toward it now.
Excerpts taken from Michael Gelb's article:
How America's greatest inventor can help you reach your goals
Other Cool Stuff
Wisdom from this week:
"When we are aligned with our highest selves and values serenity arrives."
-Michael Gelb
We truly hope you enjoyed this course and we look forward to connecting next time!
-The en*theos Team
Check out Gelb's new book Brain Power: Improve Your Mind As You Age. Which has been called a blueprint to optimize your brain and improve the rest of your life. Michael will be teaching a "Brain Power" course based on this book in April 2012. Sign up now!
