One of the best self-help books available, this particular one offers a plethora of engaging features.

It is especially interesting for its journaling prompts, which encourage readers to explore their thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way.

The book also provides space for drawing, allowing for a more creative form of self-expression.

In addition, at the back of the book, there is a 7-day workshop that combines mind mapping and journaling.

This workshop is designed to help readers gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their goals.

By using mind mapping, they can visually organize their thoughts and ideas, while journaling allows them to record their progress and insights.

Overall, this self-help book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their self-awareness and personal growth.

It offers a unique combination of tools and techniques that can be used to enhance the journaling experience and promote positive change.

I skipped a large part of this book, but that doesn't lower its rating for me. There are some things that I thought would be really interesting, but they didn't turn out to be that interesting. Maybe I'll buy it and have it at home and read it in parts as I feel like it..? But anyway, the beginning is quite good and interesting! Leonardo has completely won me over and I really agree that he is the greatest genius who ever lived! So much variety in his interests, so many talents, just everything! I want to get to know more about his life and personality :). This book also attracted me to the point where I bought a small notebook and I write my ideas, thoughts, sketches, just everything in it.. And I really like that, now I love that small notebook I have :D

QUOTES

Leonardo's advice for maintaining well-being:
- Avoid anger and melancholy moods
- Rest your mind and be cheerful of spirit
- Cover yourself at night
- Exercise moderately
Avoid overeating and pay attention to your diet
- Eat only when you want and have a light dinner
- Stay upright when you get up from a meal
- Don't protrude your stomach or lower your head too much
- Let your wine be mixed with water, drink it little by little, not between meals and not on an empty stomach
- Eat simple (i.e. vegetarian) food
- Sleep well
- Regularly go to the toilet

"Imagine a game of atoms that make up your molecules. Then be amazed at the subatomic level, which consists of approximately 0.001% matter and 99.999% space."

Meditation

"Find a quiet place and sit so that your feet are on the floor and your spine is straight. Close your eyes and direct your attention to the rhythm of your breathing. Be aware of the air in your nostrils as you inhale. Exhale through your nose and feel how you release the air. Direct your attention to the rhythm of breathing, without trying to change it. Sit for about ten to twenty minutes, just observing your own breathing. If your mind wanders, return to the present moment of breathing."

- Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452 and died on May 2, 1519.

Maybe tomorrow in the future I'll write about some drawing lessons too... :)

**"Think Like Leonardo da Vinci" by Michael J. Gelb: An In-Depth Look**

I read this book several years ago, and I find it such a great book that I want to recommend it to everyone. Through this book, I started reading other books recommended within it. Since my childhood, I have been fascinated by Leonardo da Vinci. I couldn't understand how someone could have so many different occupations simultaneously.

The book, which I saw in a library in Beveren (Be.) several years ago, immediately caught my attention. I thought the theme of the book was fantastic. As I began reading, all my expectations were met.

"Think Like Leonardo da Vinci" by Michael J. Gelb is a book that I would recommend to anyone who has become curious about the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. Almost everyone has an unlimited potential for learning and being creative.

The book details Leonardo's life, his writings, his inventions, his art, complete with many illustrations from his notes. Curious and investigative, artist and scientist, humanist and individualist. As the greatest genius of all time, Leonardo da Vinci inspires.

Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in Tuscany and died at the age of 67 on May 2, 1519, in Amboise. He was indeed regarded as a great painter during his lifetime, but even today, anatomist, architect, botanist, philosopher, geographer, geologist, engineer, cook, costume and set designer, musician, physicist, astronomer, inventor, and mathematician are among his characteristics.

Because Leonardo was a bastard, he could not practice the profession of his father or study. He went as an apprentice to the studio of a master painter, and soon his genius was recognized, and he received interesting commissions from his patron. His lack of a scientific education shaped him and made him realize that everything could be learned from experience. His attitude was: "Although I may not be a learned man in the sense that I obtain my knowledge from books, I know more than others because I look well, think about what I see, and then test my ideas against reality." Due to the lack of scientific schooling, he developed his talents even more and based himself mainly on what he experienced.

Leonardo was an apprentice under Verrocchio and later was in the service of Lorenzo de Medici Il Magnifico. With Lorenzo, Leonardo was in the company of many mathematicians, philosophers, and artists. Later, Leonardo joined the guild of Saint Luke, which was a guild for apothecaries, doctors, and artists. Here, Leonardo began his anatomical research, which was strictly prohibited by the church at that time. Thus, Leonardo was long aware of human anatomy before medical science delved into it.

Since he wanted to leave Florence, Leonardo wrote a job application letter to the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, at the age of thirty. He offered to build bridges for him, design cannons, and in times of peace, create sculptures of marble, bronze, or clay. In addition, he wanted to make a bronze horse for him, so that the memory of the House of Sforza would live on forever. He was accepted and organized parties, banquets, and played music for his lord, the duke.

When the plague broke out in Milan, he threw himself into urban planning to build a city where diseases like the plague could not so easily wreak their destruction. This led him to design sewers and toilets that meet the most modern requirements. He also designed wide streets so that more light would enter the houses.

Leonardo's most significant achievements lie in the fields of art, inventions, military works, and sciences. His most famous paintings are the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Other famous paintings include: the Madonna in the Grotto and John the Baptist. He made drawings of flowers, anatomy, horses, flying birds, and flowing water. As an inventor, Leonardo made designs for a parachute, a helicopter, an airplane, the bicycle, and many other things. He designed cogwheels, the three-speed transmission, automated looms, the scissors, a bicycle, and the extendable ladder that the fire department still uses today. As a military engineer, he designed tanks, the machine gun, and submarines. It's not that he was so warlike; he was even a vegetarian. With his search for knowledge, he stood at the beginning of modern science. He contributed to various fields: anatomy, botany, geology, and physics. He was the first to make scientific studies of the fetus in the womb. He discovered that the age of a tree corresponds to the number of rings visible in a cross-section. He proposed using a "great magnifying glass" to study the moon and the stars. He loved cooking and good food, and he cut a fine figure on the dance floor and the athletic field. In short, Da Vinci wanted to be a homo universalis, a universal man who used all his talents and abilities.

In the last years of his life, he lived under the protection of the French king, Francis I. Leonardo was given a castle and could do what he wanted there. In return, the king wanted to be able to converse with Leonardo about the most diverse things. Leonardo was indeed a good thinker and, in this way, an advisor and philosopher to the king. Leonardo died on May 2, 1519, at the age of sixty-seven. In his last days, he had remorse for everything he had left undone.

Michael J. Gelb says that the driving force of Leonardo da Vinci was that he sought beauty and truth. He did this by looking at everything from as many perspectives as possible. Leonardo's approach was that he wanted to learn from "experience" and not so much from "theory." He therefore believed that "experience" was the true master.

The world would undoubtedly have looked different without Leonardo da Vinci: as an inspiration to others, he has meant a great deal.

Gelb writes: "No one has ever tried so much in so many fields, yet most of his work remained unfinished. The Last Supper, the Battle of Anghiari, and the equestrian statue for Sforza remained unfinished. There are only seventeen paintings by him, some of which are unfinished. Although his notebooks contain wonderful information, he never, as was his intention, organized and published them."

Michael J. Gelb is an outstanding connoisseur of the work of Leonardo da Vinci. He has extensively analyzed his genius. Gelb describes seven different areas in which Leonardo's genius emerged, a creativity-enhancing course in book form. Each principle is illustrated with examples and exercises to integrate them into your own daily life.

He lists seven essential principles to think like Leonardo:

1. Curiositá - An insatiable curious approach to life and an unceasing search to keep learning something new. Thus, strengthen and develop your natural curiosity: start a daily journaling habit. The pursuit of continuous learning comes first because the desire to know, learn, and grow is the driving force behind knowledge, wisdom, and discovery.

We all began life with an insatiable curiosity, but most of us have learned in school that answers are more important than asking questions. Schools, in most cases, do not promote our curiosity. We have not learned to enjoy the skill of asking questions. We will therefore have to deliberately practice curiosity, an open mind, and especially ask questions from different perspectives.

In addition, constantly looking for new "learning material" is a clear Da Vinciaanse characteristic. This can also be hobbies and interests. Gelb comes up with a research-based statement in the book that if you practice your "ideal hobby" or "dream hobby," you lead a more fulfilling life. In practice, however, many do not do their "dream hobby" for the many well-known reasons such as "no time, too busy," "too old," or "I will never be good at it"!

The most challenging question here may be: "How can I ensure that I am paid for the time spent on my ideal hobby?"

Finally, I would like to include a tip from the book in the context of how to stimulate children to ask questions: "Ask children when they come home from school: 'What did you ask at school today?'"

2. Dimostrazione - A determination to test knowledge against experience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Look for ways to be a doer, not a dreamer. Become aware of your mistakes.

Da Vinci called himself "discepolo della esperienza," apprentice of experience, throughout his life. He believed that all sciences that are not born of experience, the mother of all certainty, are vain and full of errors. Although he is often seen as the greatest genius of all time, Leonardo da Vinci made many mistakes and failures. Besides the airplane that never took off, there is also a nice example in the book about a kitchen automation at a buffet of a prominent Italian. He always persevered, however, and had an unlimited resilience. Obstacles were precisely a sign to continue. Experience was the principle that determined his direction.

Because Leonardo da Vinci challenged his own worldview, he could also challenge the worldview. With independent thinking, doing as many experiences as possible, staying open and original, Da Vinci was at the forefront of the revolution of that time.

Regarding the upbringing of a child into a person who thinks for themselves, learns from mistakes, and perseveres in the face of adversity, it is essential that you nourish your child's self-confidence.

3. Sensazione - The continuous refinement of the senses, especially sight, as a means to enliven experience. Da Vinci came to the conclusion that most people "look without seeing," "listen without hearing," "touch without feeling," "eat without tasting," and "breathe without smelling." To sharpen the mind and our experiences, it is necessary to refine our senses. "Saper vedere" (being able to see) was one of Da Vinci's starting points. He had a very highly developed sense of sight. For Da Vinci, the senses were the opening to experience, and only with them could secrets be revealed. Painting was for him the highest art because he was of the opinion that the eye "is the principal means by which it is possible for the mind to enjoy fully and abundantly the infinite works of nature."

There are several practical exercises in the book related to your senses. A sample: the art of visualization, drawing, setting up close and far away, studying painters, layered listening, silence, studying "great" music, a scent wheel, wine tasting, touching nature, interior design, etc...

For parents, there are again some tips, including: "Visual acuity, pleasure in colors, appreciation of sounds, and a natural awareness can be nourished through drawing, painting, music lessons, and surrounding oneself with beautiful things daily."

4. Sfumato - A willingness to welcome ambiguity, paradoxes, and uncertainty.

An open attitude towards uncertainty is the secret to unleashing your creative potential. What could you change in your behavior to increase your own tolerance for uncertainties? Again, there are great practical exercises in the book. A few highlights: - Try to become aware of your fears. Once you know this, you can learn to accept them and free yourself from limiting thoughts and actions. - Solitude and relaxation are also important. Look for places where you can also be alone. You get the best ideas when you are alone. Also, take a "brain break" of 10 minutes every hour. Put on classical music, make some mind maps or sketches. - Pay attention to your suspicions and intuitions that you get daily.

And for parents: Encourage children to have fun with the unknown and stimulate their own imagination.

5. Arte/Scienza - The development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination. Thinking with both hemispheres of the brain. Discover which side of your brain is dominant and cultivate the weaker hemisphere. Use the technique of mapping your thoughts to cultivate whole-brain thinking.

The book states that we suffer from a pandemic of "half-brain thinking." In many of his sayings, Leonardo da Vinci gives us, as it were, the task of stimulating the imagination of an artist within ourselves. Mindmapping is a well-known technique to bring arte and scienza together in your daily work, thinking, and problem-solving. Learn mindmapping and apply it whenever you are able, whenever you want to write something down and remember it.

6. Corporalitá - The cultivation of grace, dexterity, fitness, and posture. Da Vinci was of the opinion that everyone has the responsibility for their own health and well-being. He saw that mentality and emotions have an impact on physiology and advised people to learn how to stay healthy and apply that. He himself was vegetarian because he saw simple food as one of the many ways to stay healthy and in balance.

Develop a fitness plan that includes aerobics, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Balance the connection between your thoughts and your body. Examples: writing or drawing with your non-dominant hand, juggling.

What do you do to stay fit and develop the coordination between body and mind?

7. Connesione - The recognition and appreciation of the interconnection of all things. System thinking. When you throw a stone into a still pond, the water ripples away in a series of ever-widening circles. A beautiful saying from a pure system thinker, Leonardo da Vinci, about this: "The earth is displaced from its position by the weight of a little bird that rests on it." In this last davinciaanse principle, we see how all the previous principles fit together.

In one of the last exercises in the book, "Make a mind map as a blueprint for your life," you can look at your life, your goals, values, priorities, and purpose from the perspective of "Connessione." You will better understand the connection and, as a result, be better able to overcome the "disruptions," conflicts, and "blind spots" that stand in the way of achieving your goals and dreams.

Let yourself be inspired by this extraordinary man who, on his deathbed, said: "Dimmise mai fu fatto alcuna cosa?" "Tell me if anything has ever been done?" He himself apologized for what he had left undone, but it is inconceivable what he left behind...

People from all walks of life benefit from the application of these ideas and the exercises that go with them. Many schools in the world apply the seven principles as the fundamental principle for their curriculum, such as the journalism program. Companies such as BP, DuPont, KPMG, Merck, and many other companies use the da Vinci principles in their innovation and leadership programs. The method and the example of Leonardo da Vinci himself can inspire us to discover and explore our own capacity to become a genius in the art of living.

"Think Like Leonardo da Vinci" by Michael J. Gelb is a book that I would recommend to anyone who has become curious about the genius of Leonardo da Vinci.

How do you make a mind-map?

BBC film documentary about Leonardo da Vinci. Here is the first part. The rest can be seen on Youtube.

The title, the cover, and the size of the book all hint that it is a valuable book full of ideas. However, in reality, it is far from that.

The ideas are not presented in a straightforward description. They are not simple but rather basic and, frankly, not impossible to be in this particular book. However, they are far from being ingenious.

I expected that it would discuss excerpts from Leonardo's biography or even why he was a genius like what the title implies. But all I found were just superficial ideas, exercises, and a portrayal of Leonardo as a genius without explaining the aspects of his genius or why he was a genius in the first place.

Moreover, there is an excessive waste of paper in it. Literally, there are pages with only one sentence written on them.

Among the books that have actually shocked me, disappointed my expectations, and made me really angry with myself for having to endure it until I could finish it.

Gelb takes us by the hand on an impressive journey through the physical and mental abilities of each one, using as a comparison the life of the greatest genius: Leonardo da Vinci.

We are led to explore the extraordinary feats that da Vinci accomplished, both in the realm of art and in the fields of science and engineering. His insatiable curiosity and boundless creativity serve as an inspiration for us to push the boundaries of our own capabilities.

Gelb shows us that by studying da Vinci's methods and mindset, we can learn to enhance our own physical and mental prowess. We can become more observant, more imaginative, and more innovative in our approach to life.

This journey with Gelb is not only a fascinating exploration of one of history's greatest minds, but also a practical guide to unlocking our own potential and achieving greater success in all areas of our lives.

Ajoj. What a powerful image and work! You conduct research at the level of "I looked at a seashell", piece together a biography shorter than that on Wikipedia, and then attach a bunch of self-help pseudo-tips like "go to the museum to get inspired". You present all of this in a mysterious and overbearing tone.

It seems as if you are trying to create an air of authority and mystery around your work, but in reality, it may lack the depth and substance that true art and research require.

Maybe it's time to step back, do more in-depth research, and present your ideas in a more genuine and engaging way. That way, your work will have a greater impact and be more likely to resonate with others.

Instead of relying on these shortcuts and pseudo-tips, you could focus on developing your own unique perspective and voice, and sharing that with the world in a meaningful way.

This book is specifically designed for those individuals who have a profound interest in delving into the genius of da Vinci.

It aims to explore the remarkable journey of how he managed to excel as a painter, sculptor, scientist, architect, and visionary all at the same time.

Leonardo da Vinci was a true polymath, and this book offers a unique opportunity to understand the inner workings of his mind and the creative processes that led to his extraordinary achievements.

By reading this book, you will gain valuable insights into his artistic techniques, scientific discoveries, architectural designs, and his forward-thinking vision for the future.

Whether you are an art enthusiast, a science lover, or simply someone who is curious about the life and works of one of the greatest minds in history, this book is sure to captivate and inspire you.

So, embark on this fascinating journey and discover the secrets of da Vinci's genius!

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Without any preliminaries, I will present the positives and negatives.

First, the positives:

- The book encourages the correct use of the five senses, such as when we taste food and feel its flavor, smell fragrant scents and sense their charm, touch flowers and feel their softness, rather than using them as basic routine things.

- It sheds light on questions that everyone should ask themselves, such as what are my values in life? What will I be? And so on.

- It contains ideas quoted from the great and knowledge-hungry personality of Leonardo da Vinci, such as his eagerness to learn everything and constantly ask questions about all things and know the sources of things and where they came from and whether they are correct, and his love for the philosophy of nature. I also liked following his notebook and pen and the random sketches he used to draw, which expressed him alone.

- Also, the historical information that a person can obtain from reading this book, such as learning more about the life of Leonardo da Vinci and that he is not just the painter who painted the Mona Lisa as the public knows, but much more than that.

- The inclusion of drawings, decorations, and plates of Leonardo da Vinci in the book added a touch of pleasure while reading this type of book.

Now, the negatives:

- The author spoke about Leonardo da Vinci as if he were a saint, that's how I felt, and there is no need for all this exaggeration in glorifying him.

- The book contains a lot of empty and repetitive ideas. Honestly, for this reason, I skipped a lot of lines that made me bored. Also, there is excessive philosophy that is not needed, and the author should have shed light on the most important ideas, which would have benefited the reader more.

- Unfortunately, it is not the type of books that I would recommend. When you start reading the book, your mind will think that you are about to read a great book, but when you turn the remaining pages, you will discover the opposite!

- Some of the practical applications in it I found silly and reminded me of translated self-help books that contain empty talk.

This wasn't really a satisfying read for me.

When it came to Leonardo's life and genius and the Renaissance, it lacked the detailed exploration I craved. Bald statements were presented without adequate evidence, which was frustrating. The potential for fascinating evidence and argument was there, but it remained untapped.

Then, when it reached the 7 principles Gelb proposes to make us think like Leonardo, the opposite problem emerged. A ridiculous amount of detail and prescription seemed to be demanded of us. This was preceded by a self-assessment of our strengths in each area, which seemed doomed to failure. It was too vague to clearly show why we might not be strong enough in each aspect.

The ideas and exercises proposed to strengthen us appeared to be extremely onerous, impractical, and time-consuming. Not to mention, the minutiae involved made them deadly boring.

Obviously, this is a well-received book in the market and reasonably popular on Goodreads too. So, I hesitate to condemn it outright. However, it simply wasn't the right fit for me.

I read it only about halal and haram! Otherwise, I would have put it with the used books that I intend to sell. The reduction in its price although it is new and the reason behind my purchase of the book was what compelled me to read it and then return it to its place with the used books for sale.

I bought this book several years ago because several years before that I heard about this book in one of the documentaries or one of the cultural programs, perhaps I don't remember very well, but this book remained in my memory. And this is not new to me, it happens and then I regret it later.

So after years of hearing about the book, I found it by chance and bought it immediately based on my memory. Therefore, I did not pay attention to the title well at that time nor did I notice the type of content (the type of development that I have no interest in at all). Over the years, I imagined the book as a type of books that only talk about art and painting. When I returned home, I discovered the expected disappointment for me!

The book is not bad at all, but it is useful for many of those who are interested in the world of art and painting. However, the content and advice of the book are not new to me, but rather I have been applying most of them for years and I know these secrets or advice well.

As for the beginning of the book, the first chapters that talk about the history of art and the personal history of Leonardo da Vinci and others were brief for me. The excessive praise by the author for Leonardo da Vinci and other European painters also made me feel that they were the only founders of the science of art and much of it I could not bear and I forced myself to finish this part quickly. I felt that I was following a documentary about science on the German channel DW which always claims that science began only from Europe and there is no role for others from the civilizations and peoples in anything. Whoever follows some documentaries on these topics from this channel will understand what I mean. The West is proud of its achievements and is not ashamed to copy or steal the achievements of others to monopolize them. And the literary productions are in the same situation as the visual media, they have a role in promoting such things. The truth is that I was amazed at how the translator could bear or overcome these things easily to translate this book in particular!

There is a technique that the author mentioned that few countries have applied and achieved positive results, and then he mentioned the Zionist entity among them. I wished at that time that the author would have decided to delete the translation of the mention of this entity. Yes, and if I am the cause of the corruption of the ideological translation, I don't care. I think it is enough to translate the other countries and the meaning will not be affected.

Well, since I know the content of the book very well, my reading of the book was very fast and it was more like a review. As for the exercises, I did not apply them frankly, I don't like to apply this type of exercises.

The translation is of course wonderful.

Wow, that was truly something!!

That was one of the most interesting books I've ever read!! It's precisely the kind of book that engages you in an endless and tough thinking session if you know how to make the most of it. Simply put, it's a brilliant book written by, about, and for brilliant people.

"How to think like Leonardo da Vinci" is an excellent self-improvement book that helps you find and capitalize on your unique creative potentials. The author uses a perfect example to boost readers' eagerness and interests in discovering what they once believed never existed. The inspirational example here is Leonardo da Vinci. Like any other Renaissance man, Leonardo excelled in various fields. Nevertheless, he stood out in almost all of them. His genius penetrated areas such as logical, mathematical, verbal, linguistic, spatial, mechanical, musical, interpersonal, and social fields, and the list goes on.

The author begins with a brief look into Leonardo's life and his main achievements in the first part of the book. Then he introduces the seven principles that contributed to da Vinci's genius: Curiosita, Dimostrazione, Sensazione, Sfumato, Arte/Scienza, Corporalita, and Connessione. Each of these seven principles is discussed separately in a complete chapter, including how da Vinci perceived the principle, how it affected his mindset, and how you and I can benefit from and practice such a principle, plus a self-assessment quiz.

Since brilliance sweeps me away, I found most of the principles discussed to be extremely interesting, especially those that focus on engaging the mind in more serious thinking and observations and improving the whole-brain thinking system. However, my interest waned when some of the principles turned to discuss concepts like living the divine within and spirituality-related issues!! And that's indeed why I didn't rate the book 5 out of 5. In addition, I couldn't understand Sfumato. How can embracing ambiguity and paradox sharpen your thinking and life experience or whatever? It didn't make sense to me.

Anyway, despite all the notions I didn't like, I still recommend reading the book. In one way or another, you'll benefit a great deal!

With the wealth of information and principles for action presented by Michael Gelb in this book, one wonders where to start?

It provides an "inspirational" approach to improving your mind and your life. I have always been fascinated by fictional superheroes and also enjoy reading about the lives of geniuses of the past in all fields of endeavor.

This book uses a close study of the life and achievements of Leonardo da Vinci to identify principles that each of us can apply in our life to improve and reach a level of genius beyond what we might have thought possible.

The book is divided into three parts. Part One includes a concise biography and list of Leonardo's accomplishments.

Part Two focuses on the "Seven Da Vincian Principles" such as curiosity, a focus on the senses, use of ambiguity, and development of whole-brain thinking. Although these principles are not unique to Leonardo, this presentation is particularly effective and helpful.

Part Three discusses the art of drawing and perspective which is at the heart of Leonardo's art. The inclusion of a chronology of Leonardo's life, which spanned the last half of the fifteenth century into the first decades of the sixteenth, and a topical bibliography of recommended reading further increases the value of this truly inspirational book.

It offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of Leonardo's genius and how we can learn from it to enhance our own lives.