A System Everyone Can Use

Your brain is much better
than you think, just use it!
Leonardo Da Vinci

Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're absolutely right. The novel and the movie "The Da Vinci code" has brought this fascinating individual to the forefront in recent years. I believe that we can learn a great deal from Leonardo Da Vinci as well as others who have gone before us. 

Just like the young learn to survive by following and imitating their parents, a key component to being successful is to imitate successful people. Humans, unlike any other species, can choose whom they would like to imitate. Leonardo Da Vinci felt that throughout our lives, and all of its stages, we should learn to consciously choose role models and to replace the ones we outgrow.

By doing this you will begin a positive adventure toward your worthy goal. For example, if you want to become a better trader, study the great traders, Jesse Livermore, Paul Tudor Jones, and Victor Sperandeo, to name a few. Read what they have written and what is written about them. Study their habits and imitate them. If you want to become a leader, study Abraham Lincoln (he never quit) or Winston Churchill. 

Michael Gelb who wrote the book "How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci" writes, "It would take an encyclopedia to begin to do justice to the full scope of Leonardo's accomplishments." Da Vinci had visions. What set him apart is that he acted on his ideas. What's most fascinating is the fact that Da Vinci had a "system" he invented and followed religiously every time he began a new idea. It's a very simple system you can use to help you achieve your goals. 

Da Vinci called it the "Smart System", S M A R T, being an acronym for: 

S -   Specific: Define exactly what you want. 

M - Measurable: figure out how you're going to measure your goals. 

A - Accountability: Commit to being personally responsible for achieving your goals. If part of a team, be sure that accountability is clear. 

R - Realistic/Relevant: Set goals that are ambitious but achievable. Make certain your goals are relevant to your purpose. 

T - Timeline: Set a clear time line for the achievement of your goals.

Great plan, wonderful system, easy word, "SMART". 

By the way, I'm sure you know that Da Vinci created the timeless paintings, "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper". But did you know that he also created the parachute, bicycle, helicopter, folding chair, alarm clock, and the first comprehensive drawings of the human anatomy! Not a bad role model himself!