We are often asked about the creative process, and how to succeed in the speculative business of creating and licensing new product ideas to manufacturers. Although there are many factors leading to success, one stands out as an undeniably important starting point: You must first make a commitment to your goal, and the effort it takes to reach it. "Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too." "All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no person could have dreamt would have come their way." We have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: BEGIN IT. BOLDNESS HAS GENIUS, POWER AND MAGIC IN IT. And finally, a quote from one of our era's greatest philosophers: |