THE INVENTOR’S WAY

This column will cover the legal, technical and historical aspects of inventing. However, since there are many sources you can go to get that type of information, we won’t spend any more time there than is absolutely necessary. Where we will spend a lot of time is around the inner workings – the mental and emotional aspects – of what makes an inventor tick. We’ll attempt to identify the prerequisite state of being and capture whatever it is that produces the “Ahaâ€? effect…

You have what it takes!

Welcome.

If you are reading this, chances are you are an inventor or “tinkerer�, entrepreneur, Intellectual property attorney or curiosity seeker. I hope you find what follows to be beneficial.
 
Let’s begin with a basic question: 
                                                                                                                                                                                                             What is an Inventor?                                                                              

Inventor: someone who produces or contrives (something previously unknown) by the use of ingenuity or imagination. 

This column will cover the legal, technical and historical aspects of inventing. However, since there are many sources you can go to get that type of information, we won’t spend any more time there than is absolutely necessary. Where we will spend a lot of time is around the inner workings – the mental and emotional aspects – of what makes an inventor tick. We’ll attempt to identify the prerequisite state of being and capture whatever it is that produces the “Ahaâ€? effect – the inspiration that leads to inventing inventions. Last but not least, we’ll look at the financial impact of inventions and inventing from the individual level to the global stage.

Though this is a lot of ground to cover, the common theme will be: “What does this have to do with me?� In other words, how do the legal, technical, historical, mental and emotional aspects of inventions and inventing at the individual, local, national or global level impact your life personally and how can you take advantage of what you read here? Let’s find out!

We often think of inventors and inventions as something only brainiest, techno-wizards or nerdy weirdoes do. Or we conjure up an image of an individual who has a lot of cash or backing to outdo the big corporations? Some even believe that you simply have to be lucky. Have you noticed the pictures the media presents of inventors like the Professor in “Back to the Future� or “Q� of “Bond, James Bond� fame? Have you ever thought to yourself, “Heck, if it was such a great idea, somebody would’ve thought of it already, right?�

Well, if the above definition for “Inventorâ€? is accurate, that means we all are inventors. We all produce things, ways and means previously unknown to us by the use of ingenuity or imagination. This means YOU are an inventor – the person reading this very sentence. You can create anything you fully choose to put your mind to: freedom, ideal circumstances, miraculous environment, loving, fulfilling relationships or financial independence – in short, your life. This is REAL POWER!

We all invent every single day but we mostly don’t recognize it because no one stops us in the middle of something and says, “Wow! You just invented a new way to get to work on time!� or “You just invented a new way to avoid getting the boss upset!� or “You just invented a new way to get the kids to do their homework before they go to bed!� or whatever. The truth is you know many things most of us don’t and we’d like to know how to do that thing too. Most of us would love to learn how to keep from getting their boss upset with them or how to beat traffic and mass transit to be on time or have the kids do homework effectively and efficiently so they grow up with a work ethic that serves themselves, their family and their community.

If you think about it, you could create ways to make money for yourself by teaching others things you do so easily and take for granted. By looking deeply into your life, you’ll uncover ways to fulfill your own desires by helping others solve problems they can’t solve. Consider the possibility that you could actually bless the problems around you because solving them would give you the life you really want to live. It’s been said that a person can be, do or have anything they want in life if they could just help enough people get what they want. 

We all can benefit from your gifts, whether you think they’re gifts or not. In fact, you should be the one who benefits most. Do us all a favor: start thinking about inventing as an avenue for your financial independence and for creating a lifestyle that gives you the time, money and freedom you’ve always dreamed of, the life you may be too resigned or cynical about to try believing in again. You wouldn’t have the desire if you weren’t capable of fulfilling it.

In closing, I leave you with a quote that inspires me to go for it in life. I hope you find it useful whether you’re familiar with it or not.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the World.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
As we let our own Light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson

Join us next week and learn: The Science of Inventing and Motivation 

Tony Vear is an inventor, advisor, author of the upcoming book The Art of Inventing, and future host of The Tony Vear Show. He can be reached at [email protected]

Tony Vear’s THE INVENTOR’S WAY is brought to you by Winning Strategies & Associates, LLC – Contact [email protected]

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Image shows Lonnie G. Johnson’s invention, The SuperSoaker
Image Credit: Johnson Research and Development Co.

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