What separates a dreamer from a doer?
The gap can be bridged by one crucial factor - action. Preferred by many as the 'universal genius,' Leonardo da Vinci, once stated, "Being willing is not enough. We must do." This potent quote encapsulates a philosophy of life that still resonates with millions around the world.
Relating this to modern life, most of us have dreams, goals, and aspirations. We might spend hours daydreaming about them or talking endlessly about what we would like to achieve. But how many actually bring their dreams to fruition? This question is what separates the world into two categories - those who dream and those who do. The vast difference between these two groups boils down to action - the act of ‘doing.’
Leonardo da Vinci's life was a testament to his philosophy. Despite being born out of wedlock, a circumstance that forfeited his formal education rights during the Renaissance period, Da Vinci didn't let that deter him. His boundless curiosity and depth of knowledge ranged from art, music, science, mathematics, engineering, anatomy, geology, to astronomy. His mastery in various subjects stemmed from his relentless will to 'do.'
Such a wide-reaching impact singles out Da Vinci as an embodiment of the 'Renaissance Man,' a polymath whose expertise spans a significant number of varied subjects and is a person who can achieve all that can be accomplished in life. Being a lineage of intelligence, creativity, and innovation, Da Vinci’s success story is an example of why taking action is the most important step.
To delve deeper into the philosophy, let’s break it down further into two parts.
Firstly, 'being willing.' The power of willingness is not something to be underplayed or shrugged off. Willingness lays the bedrock of motivation and is the beginning of all achievement. Before any action can be taken, there must be the will to act, the desire to change, to strive, to achieve. Leonardo da Vinci was always willing to learn, explore and test the boundaries of what was known and unknown.
However, the second part of the quote, 'we must do,' is where the rubber truly meets the road. Willingness delineates the planning phase - the decision, the motivation, the intent. ‘Doing’ delineates the action phase - the implementation, the hard work, the results. Without this second part, willingness becomes a whim. Therefore, while it's important to dream and plan, it's only through taking action that we can realize our dreams.
To conceptualize this philosophy within your life, consider setting clear, tangible goals. Any dream or goal requires a plan of action, but the real transformation begins when the action is taken. Your efforts, perseverance, consistency, and resilience while working towards these goals are what bring true change.
Taking action is daunting and challenging.
Often we fear failure, or the unknown, or we get comfortable in our status quo. However, the beauty of action-taking is that it breaks down these walls of fear and comfort. The mindset shifts from 'what if I fail?' to 'what if I fly?'. Progressions are made, lessons are learned, and resilience is built. Suddenly, the dreams don't look so far-fetched.
Da Vinci's philosophy implicitly advocates for embracing failures and taking them as learning lessons too. Every failed action leads to a new learning, which helps in building resilience and breaking new grounds, a step forward in the direction of fulfillment of the goal.
In conclusion, the philosophy of Leonardo Da Vinci, "Being willing is not enough. We must do", is not a mere quote but a mantra to accomplish feats. It encourages moving beyond the thought process and stepping into the realm of action. To turn a dream into reality, you need to take determined actions coupled with unwavering perseverance. It is the shift from passive dreaming to active doing that sparks a wave of productivity and accomplishment. So, get started today - be willing, and most importantly, 'do.'
Remember, every successful story starts with a dream and culminates with action. It is at the heart of every successful venture. Let Leonardo da Vinci's wise words spur you on your path to achieving greater things in life. Because ultimately, the ones who 'do’ are the ones who truly succeed.