Guest Post by Jim DeBetta- President, Academy for Entrepreneurs

Lets face it….inventing is NOT easy and not knowing what to do with your idea can even be more difficult.  I always have a special appreciation for inventors and idea people – to be able to look at something and truly create a way to make it better is a gift, and creating something new from your mind is a whole other level.  While the mind gears are turning and the excitement over “what can be” builds, you wonder how you bring this idea to life.  What do you do, how do you do it, who do you turn to?  All things that weigh on your mind seemingly night and day.

The psychology of inventing…..and how to put your mind to work to do something extraordinary!
I talk to inventors everyday and almost all of them say the same things to me – “I have a great idea and have been thinking about it for years”, “I work for xyz company and I have an idea on how to improve something we do”, I enjoy gardening and came up with a new tool to make it easier”, and so on and so on. 

After hearing their stories, the same questions come to mind – “why haven’t you done anything about it?” “What’s holding you back?”  As we all know, lack of money is not always the issue.  Rather, people tell me they are too busy with everyday life, they are fearful they do not have the skills to get things going, they want help but are confused as to what to do next.  The answers I get are often “mental” barriers and I am here to say  that YOU CAN DO IT, and you can get from the idea stage to the actual product development stage.  You are truly strong enough, smart enough, and more talented then you may think. 

I have seen and worked with many inventors with little or no business experience and working full time jobs with kids at home make a great success of themselves.  How do they do it?  They just know that no matter what they were going to do what it takes and that nothing was going to stop them from reaching their goals.  They are positive people.  They are wise enough to realize that bringing a product to life is not easy and it takes time…and often a lot of time.  They also know when to seek out help and learn what they can do on their own and when they need to seek out the professional advice of others who know more about the process then they do.  Attitude is HUGE and perseverance is critical in anything in life you wish to achieve.  Inventing is no different.

WHAT YOU MUST DO IN ORDER TO SUCCEED

• Understand that inventing is a gift and no matter who you are or what you do that you can bring your idea to life
• Know your limitations and learn from others who have been where you are now and where you are about to go
• Have passion (must be in you) and allow others to feel it
• Be in it for the long haul.  It often takes years to realize your dream but nothing great comes fast or easy
• Rich or poor, young or old, I have seen all types of people succeed and fail so devise a game plan and work it out with someone you trust

Inventing, like many things in life, has its ups and downs.  When you are a bit down and out about your idea and where it is going, take a break for a few days.  Stop working on your invention and do something else.   That little break may be all you need to reignite that inner drive.  You know it is there – you are an inventor!  But sometimes we need a “mental vacation” from the very things that inspire and motivate us to make us better and stronger…..