Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

My Thoughts

This book sparked a lot of curiosity in me. It gave a lot of motivation to write more and think about what legacy I am leaving behind. As the quote below mentions, 500 years later we are still learning from Leonardo’s notes. I like the list of lessons to learn in the conclusion.

This is the 32nd book in my 2018 reading list.

My Favorite Quote

• 500 years later we are learning from his notes; 50 years from now people can learn from yours.

Conclusion: Lessons to learn from Leonardo da Vinci’s Life

• Be curious, relentlessly curious.
• Seek knowledge for it’s own sake.
• Retain a childlike sense of wonder.
• Observe. He had an acute ability to observe things.
• Start with the details.
• See things unseen.
• Go down rabbit holes.
• Get distracted.
• Respect facts.
• Procrastinate.
• Let the perfect be the enemy of good.
• Think visually.
• Avoid silos.
• Let your reach exceed your grasp. There are some problems we will never solve, learn why.
• Indulge fantasy.
• Create for yourself, not just for patrons.
• Collaborate.
• Make lists!
• Take notes! On paper! 500 years later we are learning from his notes. 50 years from now people can learn from yours.
• Be open to mystery.

Subjects Leonardo da Vinci studied and invention ideas

This is a partial list only as reference. Leonardo studied many more subjects and had hundreds of inventions and ideas.

• Scuba gear
• Helicopter
• Perpetual motion machines
• Odometer
• Drew maps
• Anatomy
• Biology
• Dissection
• Medical field
• Chemistry
• Geometry
• Optics
• Water and water diversion
• Light

My Action Steps After Reading

• Purchased a notebook on Amazon and started writing physical notes in addition to digital note taking on Evernote.

Hope you enjoyed this and got value from my notes.
📚Here is my complete list of book summaries.

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