Leonardo da Vinci’s Approach to Balance:

Lessons for Modern Life

Despite being a workaholic, Leonardo da Vinci’s approach to balance was surprisingly insightful. For him, balance wasn’t just about making his art look perfect—it also was a way of living. He believed balance could be found everywhere: in nature, in how the human body moves, and even in how the universe operates.

To Da Vinci, everything–whether it was a painting, an invention, or a big idea–needed harmony and proportion to truly stand out.

He saw balance as the secret to unlocking creativity and understanding the world on a deeper level. He writes:

“Take breaks every now and then to relax, and when you return to your work, your judgment will be sharper. Working nonstop can cloud your perspective. Step back and create some distance, as it helps you see the work more clearly, notice its overall balance, and spot any issues more easily. —LEONARDO DA VINCI (1452-1519)

Italian painter, sculptor, architect, musician, engineer, mathematician, and scientist Da Vinci was one of the greatest intellects in the history of humanity.

According to many historians, Da Vinci had one of the most curious minds ever. He did amazing things and is often seen as the person who helped start the Renaissance, which brought people out of the Dark Ages.

Leonardo saw mysteries everywhere and always wanted to understand them. He studied things like the earth, the sky, and the stars. He even wrote down the movement of the stars and came up with ideas for flying machines long before the Wright brothers built the first airplane in 1903.

He was also a great artist and an architect who spent a lot of time studying nature and the complexities of human personality.

…

Leonardo da Vinci’s Approach to Balance: Lessons for Modern Life

To follow the advice of the original Renaissance man in your life:

• Try to let go of stressing over the results of your work. Focus on being present in the moment.
• Take breaks from time to time to do nothing at all. Just let yourself relax and notice how free you feel. This kind of break will help you return to your work with a fresh mind and sharper judgment.
• Do what spiritual leaders do when they felt stuck: turn the whole project over to God. Clarity often returned when you asked for help.

Remember what the greatest achiever of all time said: “Now and then go away, have a little relaxation.”

If there’s anyone’s advice to follow, it’s definitely the original Renaissance man. 🙂

Thanks for reading.

Image Source: Uffizi Gallery

Link: http://commons.wikimedia.org/