“We discovered that people who don’t give up have a habit of interpreting setbacks as temporary, local, and changeable.” – Martin Seligman
In the realm of professional growth and personal resilience, there’s a valuable lesson from both the life of Leonardo da Vinci and modern psychological insights.
Martin Seligman, known as the father of positive psychology, has spent decades researching failure, helplessness, and optimism, concluding that this mindset is essential for overcoming challenges and fostering success. In the Harvard Business Review Martin Seligman notes points out that people who don’t give up have a key habit: they interpret setbacks as temporary, specific, and changeable.
Leonardo da Vinci – Leonardo Da Vinci,The Annnuciation [1],
Leonardo da Vinci’s life epitomizes this approach…
One compelling story is his attempt to create The Horse, an enormous bronze statue for Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan. Despite investing years in planning and crafting a clay model, circumstances beyond Leonardo’s control halted the project—war broke out, and the bronze was redirected for cannons, resulting in the destruction of his work.
However, Leonardo did not see this setback as an endpoint. He interpreted it as a temporary and specific challenge. Instead of succumbing to defeat, he shifted his focus, applying what he learned to future endeavors. This adaptability allowed him to continuously innovate and explore new ideas, from engineering marvels to anatomical studies. His notebooks, brimming with unfulfilled yet revolutionary concepts, are a testament to how he viewed setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable failures.
Leonardo da Vinci’s life was marked by numerous setbacks and challenges, yet his persistence, adaptability, and innovative mindset set him apart. One illustrative story highlighting these traits was his attempt to create an enormous bronze statue known as The Horse, commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan.
Leonardo da Vinci’s study in silverpoint for The Horse, c. 1488[1]
The Project and Initial Challenges
“Learning never exhausts the mind.” – Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo was commissioned to design the largest equestrian statue of its time, meant to honor Ludovico’s father. His ambitious design featured a towering, 24-foot-tall horse that required immense technical ingenuity and resources. After extensive planning and research, Leonardo created a full-scale clay model, a remarkable feat demonstrating his engineering prowess and artistic mastery.
Study in silverpoint for the monument (abandoned design), c. 1490[2]
The Setback
However, before the casting process could begin, the bronze set aside for the statue was requisitioned for cannons as Milan faced war with France. This setback was devastating, and the project was ultimately shelved when the French invaded Milan in 1499. The clay model was destroyed by the invading troops, leaving Leonardo’s work in ruins.
Andrea del Verrocchio/ Leonardo da Vinci – The Yorck Project (2002)
The Da Vinci Resilience
Rather than seeing this as a complete failure, Leonardo interpreted the setback as temporary and adjusted his course. He did not allow this disappointment to define him or halt his progress. Instead, he continued to explore engineering, anatomy, art, and various scientific pursuits, integrating lessons learned from each field into new projects.
His approach exemplified how setbacks could be viewed as local (specific to a project) and changeable (potentially overcome or learned from). This adaptability was evident in his numerous notebooks, filled with ideas and inventions that laid the groundwork for concepts that wouldn’t be realized until centuries later.
Legacy of Persistence
Leonardo’s resilience with The Horse inspired future generations and demonstrated that even though one project might fail, the experience can serve as a foundation for future innovation. The project itself was revived in the 20th century based on his original designs, completing the vision Leonardo once had—a testament to the enduring impact of his mindset.
This story serves as a powerful example of da Vinci’s habit of seeing setbacks as part of the journey, interpreting them as challenges to be learned from, and finding new pathways forward, embodying the spirit of resilience and continuous growth.
For today’s professionals, adopting this da Vinci mindset means recognizing that challenges are often confined to certain situations and can be altered with the right strategy and persistence. Just as Leonardo’s ambition and resilience have inspired generations, we too can turn setbacks into stepping stones by embracing optimism and the belief that obstacles are not permanent.
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Let Leonardo’s story and Seligman’s research remind us: true progress and mastery come not just from successes but from the way we respond to our setbacks.
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