I learned the value of creation when I was a boy. I think it all started with my Uncle Bob. He was my Cub Scout master and a believer in people’s human potential. He was also one of those guys who could build just about anything with his hands. One of the things I found the most interesting about growing up around him was his positive attitude. He was a firm believer in the notion, “If you can think of it, you can make it.” It’s interesting because, as time ticks on, I’m finding that believing in yourself and what you’re creating is the inventor’s secret ingredient.

It’s not always easy to be positive because there’s always a critic around the corner; it may be a parent, a teacher, a spouse or a friend. And when we trust them with our deepest thoughts and ideas we expose so much of ourselves to criticism, and some creative people may never recover. This blog is for all of you out there who keep the faith and keep strong in the face of opposition when it confronts you or confronts your idea. Remember, those closest to you are one type of critic, and the other is the competition to your idea. They will use their political influence to criticize your idea in hopes that they will stop you or tire you out. By the way, if this is happening to you let me be the first to congratulate you. Your idea is becoming so successful that it threatens their position in the world. So, smile at their attempt to criticize and let it give you inner strength and more desire in your heart to succeed.

One of my mentors always said, “I never want to sail the open seas with a captain who has only had calm seas.” Experience in difficult and challenging situations is of more value than most people realize. The experienced creative people, like Edison, Ford and Disney, knew when they were becoming successful. Their ideas were forcing change and that’s never easy for those entrenched in the way things are currently done. The battles between Edison and Westinghouse, the zipper and Velcro, and more, are well documented. So know your history because it will guide you, and always believe in yourself and what you’re creating; it truly is the inventor’s secret ingredient.