“Realize that everything is connected to everything else.” – Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t just an artist—he was a scientist, inventor, and deep thinker who understood the power of connection. And when it comes to brain capital, this timeless insight couldn’t be more relevant.
At its core, brain capital is all about the interconnectedness of brain health and brain skills. When one improves, so does the other. And that’s just the beginning. The lifestyle choices we make—what we eat, how we move, how we sleep—don’t just affect our brains, but our hearts, immune systems, and emotional health.
It’s All Connected. Literally.
One of the brain’s most remarkable powers is its ability to make connections—especially between things that don’t seem obviously related. This is the very essence of creative intelligence. Many of the world’s greatest inventions are the result of people spotting connections where others didn’t.
In TomorrowMind, Dr. Martin Seligman and Dr. Gabby Kellerman highlight the power of integration in creative thinking. Things that appear wildly different can have hidden similarities under the surface—if we train ourselves to look.
Building the Brain’s Connection Muscles
Our brains love routine because it’s efficient. But to grow and stay healthy, they need novelty, diverse inputs, and fresh perspectives. That means:
- 🌍 Engaging with diverse people and cultures
- 🎨 Seeking new creative experiences
- 🧠Practicing curiosity about how things relate
For example, in our storybook I Am Creative, Shawn observes how a drone and a butterfly both fly. But the deeper creative work comes in asking, “How else are they connected?”
Both transmit data, operate best in open spaces, and are designed to respond to environmental conditions. That’s creative pattern recognition in action.
Connection as a Path to Innovation & Inclusion
Making connections across different ideas is powerful—but so is connecting across differences in people. This builds what we call neurosomatic creativity and intercultural creativity.
By understanding someone else’s experience, tradition, or culture, you expand your own perspective—and activate new neural pathways that fuel creativity and resilience. This builds collaborative power, empathy, and ultimately, stronger brain capital.
We are better together and when we connect, the possibilities are endless.
đź’Ž Diamond Tool Tips: Practice Creative Connections
Here are a few fun ways to give your brain a connection workout:
- 🔍 Take two very different photos. What do they have in common?
- 🎵 Assign a fictional character a random song. How does the message of the song reflect the character’s traits?
- 🧠Ask: What do these two things do with energy, space, or information?
- 🌟 Look beyond surface similarities—what hidden patterns emerge?
