So when do you stop trying with your invention? For me, it’s difficult to stop trying. I never like to quit, but here’s what I’ve found.

The first option you have as an inventor when your invention is rejected is to quit at the original design and regroup, but with the input from informed people in the industry. Always ask why your invention was rejected. Ask if there are things you could have done differently or things you can add to make it more attractive. Don’t ignore the data you’ll gather from this exercise, it’s a valuable guide. You should never have a problem with quitting on an original design when you have the right input to turn your project into a better creation.

However, there are cases where the further allocation of your time and revenue can be a complete waste. If you take your product to a presentation with a buyer or a major retail store and they reject the idea outright with no additional input, there may be reason for concern. At this point, you may want to present your invention to other buyers, preferably those that compete with the first one. If they confirm the sentiments from the initial presentation, push for more information to find out why they said “no.” Even though this idea may be your “baby,” that’s not a good reason to turn your ears off. Hopefully by the third “no,” it’s sinking in that the opportunity may not be there.

Not all is lost, though. Remember, a big part of life is learning to stand back up after you’ve fallen down. The Chinese say, “failure is the mother of success,” which means every time you fail, you’re sure to learn more about how to succeed.

Surely, you’ve found out things from this process to help guide you on your next project. Your goal is to become successful with inventions that benefit everyone. So keep on inventing.