Pro Tip from Picasso: Look for a Situation in Which… (Heroic +1 #1,414)

This book, written by Michael J. Gelb, draws on Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks, inventions, and works of art to introduce the Seven Da Vincian Principles. These principles include curiosità (an insatiably curious approach to life), dimostrazione (the commitment to test knowledge through experience), sensazione (the refinement of the senses), sfumato (the ability to see things in a subtle, nuanced way), arte/scienza (the development of the balance between art and science), corporalità (the cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise), and connessione (the appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things). The book provides step-by-step exercises and lessons to help readers harness their own genius, mastering skills such as problem solving, creative thinking, self-expression, and harmonizing body and mind.

In 'Motivation and Personality,' Abraham Maslow presents a holistic view of human nature, contrasting with the mechanistic views of behaviorism and the subconscious-driven views of Freudian psychoanalysis. The book is renowned for its 'hierarchy of needs,' which organizes human needs from basic physiological needs to higher spiritual or transcendental needs. Maslow argues that self-actualization, the highest level of need, involves maximizing one's potential and pursuing personal growth. He studied self-actualized individuals, including historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein, to identify common characteristics such as a focus on personal growth, a sense of purpose, and deep interpersonal relationships. The book emphasizes the importance of a health-fostering culture and the potential for human beings to achieve their highest aspirations.