In the History Channel’s Da Vinci and the Code, the code has nothing to do with Dan Brown’s work but refers instead to Da Vinci’s work ethic, curiosity, and, most importantly, the discipline needed to keep working and moving forward, even through tumultuous times–in 15 th century Italy life was little valued, especially if you were of the working class.
Today, most know of Da Vinci as a painter, but he was much more than that.
Da Vinci was a mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician, and writer. Many of his ideas were considerably ahead of their time. He envisioned a helicopter, a tank, solar power, a calculator, and outlined a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics. His ideas were so advanced that most could only be left to linger in theory. However, some of his inventions were used in the 15th century, such as a machine for testing tensile strength wire. As a scientist, he advanced knowledge in the fields of anatomy, civil engineering, optics, and hydrodynamics.
But is da Vinci an exception who can’t be touched? What really made him so unique? Where does the secret lie?
In this day n age of the specialist, we are not advised to be a Renaissance man or woman. We are told not to be a Jack- or Jane-of-all-trades. But if we listen to the popular notion there’s a good chance we are doing something really wrong. According to Napoleon Hill, we need to be careful who tells us what:
“Who said it could not be done? And what great victories has he to his credit which qualify him to judge others accurately?”
Hill also said of failure:
“Every failure is a blessing in disguise, providing it teaches some needed lesson one could not have learned without it. Most so-called failures are only temporary defeats.”
Da Vinci would agree, for he did not see failure as something to stop him or even slow him down.
Da Vinci’s extreme contributions to many fields only rival that of the great Michelangelo. Ironically, it was it was a fierce competition with Michelangelo at the end of da Vinci’s life that nearly put him out of commission. But it was his belief in himself, in his vision, that kept him going.
“Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.” da Vinci
Was da Vinci the great man he was, the great discoverer, the great Renaissance man, merely because he was born that way? Or did he have to earn it?
“I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.” da Vinci
Did da Vinci make discoveries or was he made by them? How much of his effort, his desire, pealed back information and knowledge that was there merely waiting to be discovered? How many of his discoveries were made simply through unrelenting desire to learn, to see the truth, to uncover that which was already there?
But a more important question is, can you do the same? To what degree?
But before we can attempt to answer that question, let’s get the word “discovery” clearly defined in our mind’s eye.
Discovery: the act of revealing; disclosure.
It doesn’t say the act of making something from nothing but to “reveal,” to “disclose” that which already exists. As in radio waves being merely revealed not invented or put there. As in the laws of gravity being revealed not imagined and then placed by man for discovery.
What can you discover? How do you do it? Let’s ask da Vinci.
“All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions.” da Vinci
But what is “perception”?
Perception: mental grasp of objects, qualities, etc. by means of the senses; awareness; comprehension. The understanding, knowledge, etc. gotten by perceiving.
Da Vinci was the great envisioner he was because he perceived and conceived. He studied birds and how their wings moved in order to fly, and he envisioned man doing the same. He looked at fish swimming in water and envisioned man doing the same or at least functioning under water. He envisioned the human body and enquired and explored.
So the big question of the day is, what da Vinci-ing have you done lately?
But is all that work worth it? What’s your motivation? Should you simply do so much without adequate cause? Here’s what da Vinci has to say.
“A day well-spent brings happy sleep, so a life well-spent brings happy death.” da Vinci
He was certainly a man of action. Much action . . . action . . . action . . .
“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” Da Vinci
It is a universal principle that effort given is reward received. Only those who sweat (genius is 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration) imbibe of the great knowledge merely waiting to be reviled to the deserving few. Great insight is not unique in that it lies in wait for a “special person.” All are privy to its gain. But to gain one must study, learn, observe, and discipline the mind and condition the soul for greatness. For great knowledge lies in wait for those of great desire, character, and faith in the finding.
How does this apply today to your career and life?
Consider that many “experts” say that you’ll have three to five career changes over your working life-time; some say as many as ten career changes. Today not only do jobs, careers, and businesses come and go but entire economic sectors. Are you going to go back to school every career change for four years to update your skills? Do you understand that any educational institution is the tip of the ice burg that education is not institutional but individual?
Now, more than ever before, in this age of turbulence (Read Allen Greenspan’s Age of Turbulence) economic change is occurring more and more rapidly, the innate creative destruction of capitalism is moving faster and faster.
In this regard, you need to be an entrepreneur, a company of one, regardless of whether or not you desire to own a business, for job stability or security (if there ever was such a thing) is a thing of the past. America no longer stands alone without competition. This is not post WWII 60s / 70s where America was the only first-world country still standing. You must become a polymath and learn again and again new skills, attitudes, and knowledge to gain a toe-hold on not only career stability but success. So get to DaVinci-ing.
Here’s to your success.
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