How To Party Like Leonardo Da Vinci
After studying scores of great thinkers like Leonardo Da Vinci, I think I've stumbled upon what really set them apart from the rest of the folks living (and thinking) at the same time.
It's remarkably simple. They learned how to entertain a thought.
Aristotle said, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
Hmmm. To entertain a thought without accepting it.
We need to do that. Everyone needs to learn how to be a good host or hostess to new ideas. In fact, our goal should be to become the Martha Stewart of mental entertaining!
What if you treated a new thought like a guest?
It's easier to think about mental entertaining if we put together a to-do list, just like Martha. Here it is:
#1 Make the first move.
First of all, you issue an invitation. Nothing fancy. You don't have to make any major investment or lifelong commitment. You're simply inviting this person in.
It's the same with initiating the entertainment of an idea. You might see a quote on the side of a bus somewhere, and decide you'd like to explore that concept more deeply. Or, maybe you find yourself bumping into the same topic all the time, and so you make up your mind to learn more about it. Either way, you need to be ready to initiate the process. Don't hide--you won't meet new ideas if you scurry away whenever the doorbell rings.
#2 Prepare.
Uh-oh. Your house is a mess. You'd better do some cleaning. You're not really trying to impress, but hey, you could certainly do some sprucing up and get the place looking neat and inviting.
Prepare for a new thought in the same way. Make some space in your mind to think about something new. According to Deepak Chopra, the well-known author on health and longevity, the average human has 60,000 thoughts a day. Pretty impressive? Well, here's the kicker: 57,000 of those are the same ones you had YESTERDAY! Now that's some serious clutter! Get rid of a few of those dusty old thoughts and make room for new ones.
#3 Offer a warm greeting.
When your new guest arrives, be warm and inviting. After all, you're hoping to start a friendship. Put your best foot forward.
It's the same with an idea. If you confront it with skepticism, fear or detachment, you won't be entertaining it for long. You'll be eyeing your watch, yawning, or looking for a way to end the discussion early. You've got to be open and full of anticipation to prepare an environment in which new ideas will be explored and integrated fully. Just as it's no fair making lame excuses or having your friend call to interrupt the visit, it's also cheating to cut out too soon when it comes to entertaining an idea.
#4 Make introductions.
This is the big one. You would certainly introduce your guest to everyone at the party, with a special effort to connect them to those with whom they may have something in common.
Any new idea you consider will be more likely to be welcomed if you actively and intentionally introduce it to your other ideas and interests. Look for unusual and inspired pairings. How does it fit? Where does it fit? DOES it fit? You won't know until you try.
Picture Leonardo Da Vinci's mental entertaining. His new idea, Human Flight, arrives, and immediately Leo sets about introducing him to others. "Human, meet my good friend, Engineering, and his lovely wife, Fabric Design. Oh, and have you met Bird Anatomy? She lives just around the corner from you. Oh, Dr. Entomology has arrived! Listen, Dr. E is absolutely brilliant, but a bit hard of hearing. Ask her about her recent work on the wings of insects! Now, you all make yourselves comfy and I'll go get some more wine."
What happened at that party? Leonardo threw these ideas together, and BAM! What emerged was the idea for a perfectly designed parachute as well as a remarkable helicopter--hundreds of years before the Wright brothers started building their flying machines! Talk about a soaring success! Don't you wish you'd been there?
#5 Offer the best seat in the house.
You usually sit in that nice chair there by the fireplace, but when a special guest comes over, you graciously offer it.
When you are entertaining a new thought, give it the consideration it deserves. Every time you think a new thought, your brain is actually creating a new neural pathway. It's like a jungle in there, full of nerve endings and ganglia and all kinds of connections. Help it along. Make it comfortable.
Once you've considered an idea, that pathway is there. All you have to do to keep it "live" is to keep going down that path often enough to clear the trail, but not so often that it becomes a rut.
#6 Listen, inquire, and show interest.
Ask questions. Dig a little deeper. Find the connections to other people, places, and activities. Learn as much as you can about your new idea.
#7 Relinquish control.
Just like when you introduce guests to each other, you should not try to control the outcome. Some guests might hate each other on sight, while others click instantly. People might argue, or a married guest might sneak off to a back room with someone other than their partner. Anything can happen!
That's not up to you. You're having this party to offer an opportunity for people to connect. Make introductions, insert a few comments, smile and acknowledge everyone, but for the most part, just let things happen. Don't direct the flow of ideas.
#8 Leave room for future possibilities.
Even if you decide this new acquaintance of yours is insufferable, you don't want to burn any bridges. Be gracious, and be glad you were excellent enough to offer the invitation.
You're not going to like every idea that comes your way. And you might not find any other interest or idea that connects with it initially. That's fine. You need to develop the ability to recognize useful concepts and distinguish valuable and valid ideas from those lacking a strong foundation. That's what critical thinking is all about.
But you also need to file that idea away so that you can look it up if and when you DO meet a likely candidate for another gathering of thoughts.
There is a great deal of room for different styles of mental entertaining. Maybe you're best at dealing with only two ideas at a time, or maybe you want to throw a huge bash and welcome all comers.
Entertain in whatever style suits you. Tete-a-tete or bacchanal--it doesn't matter, as long as it's happening.
Learn how to entertain a thought. With a little effort, you'll become a perfect host or hostess to new ideas that come your way. And guess what? You'll have no hangover, no cleaning up, and no regrets.
Party on!
About The Author
Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse. Her course, Massage Your Mind!: Defining Your Life Philosophy, has inspired thinkers in over 70 countries around the world. Maya publishes the Friday Mind Massage, a free weekly ezine serving up a satisfying blend of clarity, comfort and comic relief. To learn more, visit http://www.massageyourmind.com or http://www.mindmasseuse.com today!
 Google News Updated : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:49:09 GMT States probe possible voter registration fraud - Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune - Questions about possible cases of fraudulent voter registrations were being raised this week as officials in several states investigated hundreds of questionable or duplicate registration forms submitted by an advocacy group. Carnahan statement on ACORN registration mess Republicans try to tie Obama to vote fraud cases Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:48:10 GMT A Cautious Approach to Gardasil Shot - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - News today cheering the fact that 1 in 4 teen girls has received the Gardasil vaccine sounds to me like some serious spin from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the government agency pushing girls as young as 9 to get the shot. Cancer Vaccine Used by 25% of Girls 13 to 17 Quarter of adolescent US girls received HPV vaccine Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:14:13 GMT Eagles' Westbrook out for Sunday's game - Sports Network
Sports Network - Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will not play on Sunday at San Francisco. Westbrook, who has been hampered by a sprained ankle he suffered in the Week 3 victory over Pittsburgh, fractured his ribs in ... Brian Westbrook: Ruled Out Les Bowen: Eagles vs. 49ers: The pick Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:20:18 GMT Help Support Breast Cancer Awareness With Lifespring Health - MarketWatch
MarketWatch - Lifespring Health will be Donating $5 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation Each Time you Shop Online This Month SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct 10, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- October is breast cancer awareness month! Go "Passionately Pink for the Cure" on Oct. 17 Panera Bread to sell pink bagels Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:05:31 GMT Coleman calls off negative ads - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minneapolis Star Tribune - By Patricia Lopez, Star Tribune ...and it has nothing at all to do with several outlets (including one of Franken's ads) letting us know that a Coleman ad that wants us to … read more see Franken looking out of control/angry, is actually video of ... Coleman: I'll remove negative ads and urge others to do same Coleman says he'll pull negative ads to focus on economy Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:25:04 GMT NATO agrees on Afghan drug role for military - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - NATO defense ministers Friday authorized their troops in Afghanistan to attack drug barons blamed for pumping up to US$100 million (euro74 million) a year into the coffers of resurgent Taliban fighters. NATO Joins Drug War in Afghanistan NATO to Hit Drug Trade in Afghanistan Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:11:48 GMT UPDATE 1-Bush says US moving quickly to solve market crisis - Forbes
Forbes - WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Friday the US government was moving aggressively to address the financial markets crisis, but he acknowledged that anxiety was feeding on itself as stocks continued to plunge. Bush appeals for confidence Bush Says Markets Must Remain Calm Despite Challenges Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:33:45 GMT Amazon RSS Feed Generator |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... I have been looking for answers to what it takes... Read More This article was published in the Nov. 2003 edition of... Read More Why is it that we often wait until we have... Read More Did you ever notice that In our American culture, we... Read More "Heroes are rebels with a cause. Rebels because they challenge... Read More Tough and challenging times will surely come. That is a... Read More In Part One, I described the laws of motivation. In... Read More Did you know that you can successfully handle most leadership... Read More J. Paul Getty planned to enter the U.S. Diplomatic Service,... Read More George Bush won the election because he was finally able... Read More Have you ever wondered what type of person or personality... Read More Have you ever noticed that since the early part of... Read More "Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of... Read More Lee (L.B.) Weiss (Sept. 21/25 ? April 30/82)My dad has... Read More OK, I know this title sounds self-serving and hard nosed,... Read More "Of every noble work the silent part is best, Of... Read More What you are about to read may be found in... Read More There is a steady stream being written and taught about... Read More For many of us, asking for help is a difficult... Read More There are two streams of competitiveness running through every organization.... Read More Master The Five Key Facets of High Performance LeadershipMany people... Read More A leader's roleIn any change project, a leader must wear... Read More While dominant participants contribute significantly to the success of a... Read More The assets of your business traditionally include property, plant, equipment,... Read More Answers are often before our very eyes or in front... Read More
Adsense
websites
Three Growth Guidelines from Stephen Covey
The Three Faces of Leadership
Stepping Into Leadership and Being The Source Of Your Success
The Seven Secrets to New Age Leadership
Leadership Lessons from Pope John Paul II
Being an Extraordinary Leader Through Tough and Challenging Times
The Four Laws Of Leadership (Part Two)
5 Power Keys For Leadership Success!
What We Can Learn From J. Paul Getty
Heres The REAL Reason Bush Won: The Dark Night Of The Leadership Soul
The Personality of Leadership
Leadership and Change in a Holographic Universe
Leadership - L.P.B It!
Leadership Tips From My Dad
Get What You Want - Negotiating Skills for the Timid!
3 Cs Leaders Must Communicate!
7 Core Elements Of Your Vivid Vision!
Exceptional Leadership Inspires the Best Effort in Others
Asking for Help
Blowing Your Own Leadership Horn
Lead People...Manage Things
Follow My Leader - To Effect Change, Leaders Must Walk the Talk!
Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 5, Dominant Participants
The Top 10 Questions for Socially Responsible Leaders
Wanted: A Dictionary-Perfect Leader
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Ask Yourself Whats In It For WE?
"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working... Read More
It?s Not All About Cheese: The Missing Component in Employee Development (Part 1)
Spencer Johnson really hit a nerve when he wrote Who... Read More
Blowing Your Own Leadership Horn
There are two streams of competitiveness running through every organization.... Read More
Precious Moments
There is too much learning out there that we earn... Read More
You Make The Difference
What do you think makes your company successful? Your newest... Read More
8 Questions to Ask if You Want to be a Better Leader
Those that have successfully made the transition from manager to... Read More
5 Tips to Help You Win Big & Become a Village Hero
A few years ago, I returned to my impoverished village... Read More
Visions of Leadership
Right about now, you've made the discovery that... Read More
A Lasting Leadership Lesson: How One Leadership Talk By George Washington Saved The Revolution
A Lasting Leadership Lesson: How One Leadership Talk By George... Read More
It Begins Like This
Jonathan was drunk multiple times before ever completing elementary school;... Read More
Leadership - Connect to Engage!
It's been said many times that true leadership is measured... Read More
Are You Playing or Practicing Leadership?
Anne was a new supervisor, and like many new supervisors... Read More
On Being A Born Leader
"Leaders are born, not made." Right? Let me ask you... Read More
What Kind of Leader Are You?
There are literally millions of words written and spoken each... Read More
Getting Things Done, Without the Sweat!
How do you get your people on your side? And... Read More
The Goals of Leadership Coaching and Partnerships
Webster's Dictionary describes a "partner" as an ally or an... Read More
Take the Road Less Traveled
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took... Read More
Three Growth Guidelines from Stephen Covey
I have been looking for answers to what it takes... Read More
The Tao of Leadership
There can be no doubt that the ancient author of... Read More
The Defining Moment: The Straw That Stirs The Drink Of Motivational Leadership (Part One)
Decades ago, as a rifle platoon commander in the Marines,... Read More
Leadership Training: The Bit They Didn?t Tell You About Changing!
A willingness to change first is one of the major... Read More
UNCLOS III Process model
The United Nations Conference on Law of the Sea was... Read More
Always Be Open To Learning
"We should not only use all the brains we have,... Read More
Hidden Self Confidence
Peer independence is arguably the least understood aspect of self... Read More
Leadership and The Dirty Work
The airline, Jet Blue, has been featured in many magazines... Read More
Leadership |