Would you like to unlock your inner da Vinci?
Here’s a simple practice to innovate like Leonardo da Vinci. If you don’t believe it can unlock your creativity, try it for yourself — and prepare to be shocked at how effective it is!
What is Innovation?
To innovate is to come up with something new – a new process, product, idea, method, etc. The Latin root for the word ‘innovatus‘ even means “to introduce as new.”
We all have within us “something new” that we can introduce. We just need a way to open the doors of the mind, “capture” the new idea, and give it wings!
The Shocking Power of the Pen
Da Vinci discovered a secret. When he would put pen to paper his creative genius would unlock and ideas would flow! He’d capture his ideas, and they’d grow wings.
This is true for all of us, including you! When you put pen to paper, the creative powers of the mind unlock and ideas flow and grow wings (well beyond the initial concept).
And, as an added bonus, your ideas aren’t forgotten! Have you ever had a great idea, only to forget it later, simply because you didn’t write it down? Don’t be in this group 🙂
Leonardo's Thoughts Book
Leonardo da Vinci always had a “thoughts book” with him. This was a journal of ideas and a place where he could explore, grow, and develop the ideas that came into his mind.
Imagine if Leonardo da Vinci had never kept a thoughts book! This would have happened:
- He’d have forgotten many of his ideas
- Many ideas would have never blossomed and matured beyond the initial thought
- We would not know and revere da Vinci as we do today
Two Modern-Day Case Studies
The most successful leaders often write down their thoughts and ideas. As they write, the ideas mature and blossom into something truly great. Consider these examples:
The Invention of the ATM
John Reed was a Senior VP at Citibank (he’d later become the CEO at Citibank and the President of the NYSE). While relaxing on vacation, a simple idea came to him – “what if we rolled out street-level cash machines.” Fortunately, he liked to write down his thoughts and kept notepaper nearby. He began to jot down some notes, and 30 pages later ideas took shape. He then had a blueprint for a new banking model, one of credit cards and street-level cash machines (the ATM).
The Discovery of Radioactivity
The renowned physicist and chemist Marie Curie maintained a laboratory notebook throughout her career. Her meticulous notes documented her experiments, observations, and analysis, which eventually led to her groundbreaking discoveries in the field of radioactivity. She took her notebook with her so she could jot down inspiration wherever and whenever it came to her.
4 Ways Unlock Your Creativity
Here are four ways to unlock the doors of creativity in your mind with a thoughts book:
- Keep a notepad by your bed and desk (lots of ideas come during work or sleep)
- Like Leonardo da Vinci and Marie Curie, have a dedicated “thoughts book”
- Use the notes section of your BYB planner to capture ideas and thoughts
- Create an “ideas” blackboard (digital or physical) where your team or customers can share ideas; make it public so people can add to the ideas of others; you’ll be amazed at the collaborative power of a team and group of people
Wrapping Up
There are truly wonderful ideas within your mind, and in the minds of your team and customers, so keep notepads nearby, use your planner, or have a dedicated “thoughts book” where you capture your ideas and give them wings! You’ll innovate great things and make the world around you a better place, and that’s becoming your best!
“The hero is the one with the ideas.“ – Jack Welch
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