Society often elevates figures who lived extraordinary lives to a mythical status. As a result,
people from “average” or “normal” backgrounds might think achieving anything close to that
greatness is unrealistic.
However, the path of success is not magical or predestined. Most of the world’s great
bellwethers have been women and men who reached their goals through tenacity and
persistence, not just talent or sheer brilliance.
One such example is Leonardo da Vinci. What principles did he apply to become a world-
renown icon? How might you emulate his life to reach your maximum potential? Discover critical
lessons that you can implement to attain magnificent success.
Direct Your Professional Focus to Your Practical Gifts and
Abilities
Da Vinci is one of the most prominent “Renaissance men” in history. He excelled in multiple
areas, such as science, engineering, architecture, sculpting, and, of course, painting.
Clearly, the man had natural gifts. Still, it would be an oversimplification to say his triumphs all
resulted from raw talent. He had to learn to concentrate his efforts in the right areas.
Interestingly, da Vinci repeatedly pursued a career as an engineer and inventor of weapons for
various cities in his native Italy. However, there were few conflicts at the time, so politicians and
leaders did not require those services. (And this was despite the fact that his designs and
blueprints were technological marvels.)
Still, da Vinci made sure to include all of his talents and skills when writing to potential patrons
for sponsorship. These early “resumes” always mentioned his skills as a painter, and that was
the assignment he most often received. The artist was not too proud to take the work and
created the astounding portfolio we recognize today.
And the conclusion to da Vinci’s desire to engineer weapons? Once he finally received the
chance later in life, he found he could not stomach the realities of battle once he saw how his
equipment was used. He recognized that work was better suited to other men, and he retreated
to his artistic endeavors, where he continued to do outstanding work.
Here, we can learn a vital lesson about being entrepreneurial and fitting whatever need the
market calls for. The common advice to “follow your heart” can sometimes be foolhardy and
dangerous in business.
Our emotions are not always the best guide toward a career path or enterprise. Instead, we
should learn to focus our attention on whatever efforts can produce the most good, as da Vinci
did.
We all do well to specialize in an area that strikes a balance between performing a function that
serves a societal need and brings personal fulfillment. This may require trial and error, but it is
worth the effort.
Persevere in Your Work, and It Will Pay Off
In addition to his aptitudes, da Vinci had to exert himself. He studied with the masters that
preceded him and trained diligently. Here we are reminded that talent is never a substitute for
hard work.
Greatness does not result from intelligence or skill. Surely, we can all name intellectuals who
became monumental disappointments and many more who only led mediocre lives.
Likewise, da Vinci’s brilliance was not the sole reason for how great he became. He
continuously put in the necessary work required to excel.
Much of the reason he sustained his workload was due to his insatiable curiosity. Da Vinci’s
inquisitiveness and thirst for knowledge is a prime demonstration of the Principle of
Perseverance. This criterion for success teaches us how to connect our professions with our
passions.
Even when da Vinci was not doing the work that he thought he wanted to do, he related his
vocation to his passion for understanding the natural world and creating inventions and artwork
that highlighted and magnified that beauty. Such enthusiasm allowed da Vinci to work tirelessly
for his whole life.
Another vital note: While curiosity is a fantastic motivator, it may not always be enough. An
essential characteristic that researchers find in children that are ultimately successful in life is
not their talent level or their intelligence quotient. More often than not, a person’s grit – that is,
their stick-to-itiveness, resolve, and steadfastness – is a deciding factor in success.
All of us must identify a personal passion, but we must create a program to nurture that passion
and cultivate it. Once again, we can all refer to gifted individuals who once had a zest for life,
only to devolve into the same vicious cycle that many modern professionals fall into.
Feed your passion to boost your endurance and perseverance.
Embrace Teamwork
Another fallacy about geniuses such as da Vinci is that all of their work is done in siloes. As
previously referenced, the great master had to fine-tune his talent with training that occurred
alongside other skilled artists. With guidance, he eventually surpassed his teachers, but he
required training and collaboration.
Even after attaining fantastic success, da Vinci was known for passing time at a court in Milan
where he could fraternize with people of all sorts. This exchange of ideas led to the inspiration
for some of his greatest works, including The Vitruvian Man.
Further, many imagine da Vinci and other Old Masters sketching and painting their works alone
in a workshop. On the contrary, the artists of his time did not draw all aspects of their pieces
with their own hands.
Instead, these artisans were more akin to architects. They would sketch and design the concept
that pupils and assistants would complete.
Similarly, we all must learn to work in committees and groups that help us achieve more than
possible on our own. But you must never forget that the work does not get there without a
visionary as a leader.
In this way, da Vinci embraced the Success Law of the Architect. You, too, can learn how to
become a trailblazer that can take the lead and guide others to great works that fulfill the grand
designs you have in mind.
Leonardo da Vinci – A Bellwether for All Times
Da Vinci holds the rare distinction of being not only a bellwether of his own era but also one for
centuries that followed. His amazing inventions and scientific deductions only now are finding
their fulfillment in the technological era.
Though we may not be able to have the level of individual distinction that da Vinci had, we can
imitate his curiosity and passion for progress. In doing so, we can maximize our own potential
and that of others to stand as modern bellwethers.