Karen Norris
seitzkaren
85,000
Insider Points
|
A forum dedicated to those of us who are addicted to ideas and of course Edison Nation.
Please introduce yourself and sign-up for the 12 Step Program.
12 Step Program for Idea Addicts
Step 1: Be happy with what is, not what could be.
Open a kitchen cabinet, or draw, and resist the temptation to look at all the gadgets and think about how they might be improved… Start with one meal a day simply enjoying how things are and not how they might be designed some day….
Step 2: Once a day dashboard reviews.
While it is true that from 1:01pm to 1:02pm your dashboard might change you must show restraint. For the first week try only to visit your dashboard once a day, instead of every hour on the hour. If you must first start by cutting back to am and pm viewings.
Step 3: Speak free.
Remember the days when you would throw out an idea at the dinner table? Talk about your hit innovation, over the holidays, with a group of strangers? Are you walking around with NDA’s in your pocket…reclaim your freedom. This week speak openly about an idea without the fear that someone will submit a PPA three minutes later.
Step 4: Put the highlighter down.
It’s OK to read Inventor’s Digest just for pleasure every once in a while. Put the highlighter away… Just once read it through without ripping out a page or adding a resource to your to do list.
Step 5: Get it touch with your feelings.
Instead of your normal quick posting, “out at R6, done at R7”, let it out once in a while, say what you really mean… i.e. “How could they not see this idea for the genius it is!”, “Great, now I have to go to work again on Monday”, “I waited 12 months for this dream idea t make it, now what”. Get it out, express your R’s.
Step 6: Talk outloud.
If you’ve talked to your thumbnail photo friends more than your family, or personal friends, it may be time to pick up the phone. Hear a voice, speak outloud, remember what it was like to hear an instant response and not wait for a post.
Step 7: Buy something fun for $20.
Remember when $20 bought you movie tickets or lunch… Clothing or home purchases. Instead of the next $20 going to yet another idea, stop for a moment and just buy something fun.
Step 8: Sleep is sleep.
When you lay your head down on the pillow remember it means that it is time to sleep, not time to think of new product names and ideas. For one week in a row forbid yourself to think of new ideas when the lights go out.
Step 9: Remove LPS Pressure
It’s OK to skip a live product search. Stop. Breathe. Repeat it with me, “it is OK to skip a search”…once in a while it is OK to let a search go by without a submission. This will take time, but maybe you start by letting the ‘automatic talking parrot that presses your clothes’ idea go, and wait for true inspiration…
Step 10: Do not reinvent the steps.
If you are reading the steps, thinking about new, novel, unobvious ideas on how to improve the steps you have a true problem! Do not rework or add figure diagrams to these steps, this will contradict all other progress.
Step 11: Acceptance.
The sooner you accept that EN staff will not call you to personally say how brilliant your idea was; that a search will not progress to G8 in two weeks; if your idea was the one that ‘almost’ made it, the calmer you will be…
Step 12: But wait there’s more…
No, not here. Step 12 is simply Step 12. You don’t get 12 steps and then another 12 steps for free. There’s no extra incentive. No call in the next five for a free offer. It’s just 12 steps plain and simple. Learn to accept that not everything will come in doubles with free random items…
Print. Execute. And look forward to violating all steps with you all in the future ;)
|
|
Andrea Zabinski
zabber
421,000
Insider Points
|
This is almost perfect! I will be printing this 12 step program for my wall and remind myself not to think about new idea’s everyday!
I would add ONE MORE STEP #13
It’s ok to continue to try and try again, but maybe your idea really isn’t that great, it may be time to give it up after you received 5 R-4’s IT AIN’T going to move any further! Just cry it out, move on and redirect!
HA HA-hard lesson’s to learn! Love this! Very funny!
|
Julie Brown
sleepyhead
|
Great idea; however, I think it would be easier to sober up an alcoholic.
;>)
|
Andrea Zabinski
zabber
421,000
Insider Points
|
I think you are right Julie!
|
Ken Somerby
reddawg
|
It would be easier to sober up an alcoholic “LOL” How about an Alcoholic addicted to Edison Nation? LOLLOLOLOLOL
Are these 12 steps going to be added into the Edison Nations Frequently Asked Questions?
|
Karen Norris
seitzkaren
85,000
Insider Points
|
Andrea nice addition. Yes we should make an unwritten rule on how many R’s you should take standing up before you retire the idea…
And Ken, sort of a chicken and egg thing… would it be an alcoholic addicted to EN, or would EN create an alcoholic :))) LOL!
|
Ken Somerby
reddawg
|
All I can say is I am now a bigger mess than I use to be and can I get EN to pay for my stay at Betty Ford while I get my mental health in some sort of coherent non abstract sense of clarity?
|
Andrea Zabinski
zabber
421,000
Insider Points
|
Oh and I can honestly say that I have spoken to you all more today on EN than my spouse….broken rule #6!
|
ralf chlipalski
ralfcis
|
Karen, very insightful . . . genius.
|
Ken Somerby
reddawg
|
I think the twelve step program is a must for all new members. No one can become a member until the agreement has been signed by them and after they have passed an oral comprehensive mental stability examination by Marla……
|
kevin da biskit
goodolbakeshop
135,000
Insider Points
|
You sure you don’t mean mental IN-stability examination by Marla? If they’re looking for stable they lose, Ken. lol
|
Ken Somerby
reddawg
|
Kevin, if they are looking for stable or stability or not stable at all, I can only guess as it seems Inventors come from M.I.T. as well as from under rocks………
|
Alberto Contreras
quantummechanics
|
Boy that rock had me pinned down 50 years i think it left a mark :) ahhh a 12 step program yes i believe i am already in need of it i can feel ENs dementia setting in lol.
Truth be told my short stay at EN has opened new and exciting directions i am very grateful.
(Engaging shadow mode and silent running until i submit and invention to EN)
A.M.C.
|
Tracy R
tracy4372
59,000
Insider Points
|
Hi Karen,
You nailed it for me. I have to admit to almost all of the above. If I can just add one that I know I need to work on…
It IS ok to push the Log Out Button. ;)
|
Jane J.
imajane
400,750
Insider Points
|
Too true!! I mean… funny. I ain’t got no problem, man!!! Are you looking at me?
Nice work, Karen!!
|
Carrie C
ccanderson
93,250
Insider Points
|
|
K F
kfischbein
|
Karen- If there was an award for best post on EN- I think yours would win!
|
Linda Linda
cattycatranch
|
Hello. My name is Linda. I’m an Idea Addict. I started with one. Just one. Then two. Then, well . . . . (casts eyes down) . . . now I . . . have a multi-page dashboard. Really. I used to confine myself to cat ideas . . . but now . . . I’m into . . . (gulp) storage products. I don’t think Karen’s 12 steps will help.
But I’m not worried. I got a plan. Just need to add a few steps to improve this treatment program, maybe make it 15 steps. And got to modify Step 7. That $20 . . . need to make it a range, $5 to $100, depending . . . and does the highlighter ban include red pens? Hmmm . . .
(;^)
|
Karen Norris
seitzkaren
85,000
Insider Points
|
Linda the ban does indeed include red pens and applies to post-its as well! I have now gone the opposite way with the inventors digest magazine I used to cut so much out that now I’ve decided to keep each issue whole as a reference as the entire darn magazine is helpful…
All your comments are so funny, glad to know I’m not the only one with a problem ;)
|
Carrie C
ccanderson
93,250
Insider Points
|
Linda, your post is hilarious!
|
John Vilardi
john
121,500
Insider Points
|
My problem is Step 8: Sleep is Sleep/ I need to install an off switch in my head. Why is it the minute your head hits the pillow it into over load. Well ts 11:20 time to go to think. Night
|
Jane J.
imajane
400,750
Insider Points
|
John, too true. My cure last night was a glass of wine.
|
John Vilardi
john
121,500
Insider Points
|
|
Jane J.
imajane
400,750
Insider Points
|
LOL. I think we’re all a bunch of alc-ies.
|
Andrea Zabinski
zabber
421,000
Insider Points
|
is anyone elses spouse or significant other just as lost as mine? He is like “you are so addicted to this EN” I said “Yes I am and if I make it, you don’t get half since you don’t get it” LOL :) Us addicts into inventing are another breed, even friends think I am crazy!
I am glad I have a group of very creative people I can talk with on here! Isn’t it funny, at this point it’s not about the money, its about having someone love our idea’s, that’s the fun in this to site to see the bar keep going green and of course the bigger picture is that it brings some money in, but not the top reason, how about you all, do you agree or disagree that the journey is really fun?
|
Chris Brown
cbrown
72,500
Insider Points
|
I totally agree..Nothing like it.
|
Karen Norris
seitzkaren
85,000
Insider Points
|
Andrea,
My husband now calls himself ‘Producer’, I laughed out loud when I had him holding the camera for me to make a mini product video and he came out wearing a scarf around his neck….
He also has no idea what he is permitted to throw out anyone, he’s been yelled out for throwing out an empty soda bottle container etc. as I need the plastic…
He does assist with some of my initial patent searches as I’ve learned to take the time to review google patents etc. before spending hours on a new idea… so I guess he’ll need to at least get a small cut if I ever win ;)
|
Chris Brown
cbrown
72,500
Insider Points
|
It sounds like our spouses may need a support group..
Hi my name is Melissa and my husband is an EN addict, HI Melissa comes the reply from her new found group of supporters..
|
kevin da biskit
goodolbakeshop
135,000
Insider Points
|
|
Betsy .
betsykaufman
150,000
Insider Points
|
Karen—you blog is hysterical! Loved it! Tried to email you—-hope you get it!
|
Chuck Redman
chuckman
|
|
Betsy .
betsykaufman
150,000
Insider Points
|
She got to be the star of her very own Infomercial. She really described the experience in a way you could just see it all happening. Lots of excitement, heart-pounding, nerve racking moments. Very, very Hollywood…even though it happened in NJ! :-)
|
Jane J.
imajane
400,750
Insider Points
|
It’s her microblog, Chuck. I loved it! It was SO funny. Such a kick to read. I sent an email too, Karen. I’m so excited for you. You’re a great writer, kiddo. And a successful inventor!! Congratulations!
|
Karen Norris
seitzkaren
85,000
Insider Points
|
Betsy, Jane, Thanks so much. Yes I wanted to write about it like I experienced it… a whirlwind…and apologize for the grammar/wrong words here and there. And its an EN miracle I actually got your emails today and will respond separately to them. All was getting caught in spam.
Yes my blog postings are kind of sketchy because yes I’m still keeping some stuff quiet until the product is done. They made 18 samples for the shoot only. I am going to write a real blog with photos offline to tell you the whole story once the CEO tells me I’m OK to do so—hopefully only a week or two away before I can share…
|
;>) )
penster
175,750
Insider Points
|
Karen:
Read the blogs, an inspiration and entertainment, real people experiencing amazing times, that they worked for. Congrats and save the notes for a book about the “Successful Inventor” ups, downs and the journey which makes memories.
You got the gift girl! Enjoy.
|
Betsy .
betsykaufman
150,000
Insider Points
|
Penny’s right, you really do have that gift! Your blog made us feel like we were right with ya! I can’t wait to see the commercial! Keep the blogs coming!
|
mary houle
creative2br
51,500
Insider Points
|
now i’m curious lol where is this blog? :o)
|
Jane J.
imajane
400,750
Insider Points
|
Mary, click on Karen’s profile and go into her microblog. Karen is a really good writer (see the 12 step program) but this last blog about her debut was absolutely great.
|
mary houle
creative2br
51,500
Insider Points
|
Found it thanks. Yes it was exciting to read. Karen, since you don’t have an LPS G8 tag below your picutre does that mean this project is not through EN? I also have a project I am trying to get to market that so far I have not entered in EN. Could you also tell me how you went about finding someone to do business with in China that you could be sure of? thank you I look forward to seeing what your product is. :o)
|
Sherri .
funfam4
66,750
Insider Points
|
Karen, though I should be posting here about my addiction to EN, I’m afraid I am still in the denial stage! ;-) Enjoyed reading your microblog…thank you for sharing your experience with us! It sounds like you have a very supportive husband, too! Can’t wait to see your masterpiece! Congratulations!!!
|
Andrea Zabinski
zabber
421,000
Insider Points
|
Karen I also read it and it was very funny and entertaining. Certainly we as women would be thinking the same thing you did! Is this just going to run in NJ? When can you tell us? Did you get a deal with DRTV or did you do this yourself?
|
Chuck Redman
chuckman
|
Seems like some inventors need this site so I’m bumping it up in the forums!
So submit….read, submit again, read again—-you get the idea! :-)
|
Jane J.
imajane
400,750
Insider Points
|
Hi Karen- I read your updated blog. There’s no way I could have even thought of being in a commercial. I admire your bravery. As my brothers say on occasion… “You’re the MAM!” Can’t wait to hear more. Keep us posted!!
|
Karen Norris
seitzkaren
85,000
Insider Points
|
Jane thanks so much, brave is never a word I would associate with myself but I’ll take it ;) I will be sure to give you all some more “meat” about my ASTOV ventures, most likely when I do I’ll make a forum, the blogs are lonely you post and then wonder if anyone read ;) So I appreciate the quick shout out…
Edison Nation team, be cool if we could comment on people’s blogs like traditional blogs, or a little thumbs up like on facebook…just a thought, if it takes time away from presenting our ideas to sponsors just take that little thought and crumple it right up…
Happy upcoming mother’s day to all (for the pet owners too ;)
|
Betsy .
betsykaufman
150,000
Insider Points
|
I am bringing up this forum for ‘Bill’ who started a thread ‘Dashboard Addicts’. Read this thread Bill and you will know you are Sooooo not alone!
|
Toni Rey
tonilrey
276,250
Insider Points
|
Hi my name is Toni and I am a STEP 1 Dashboard Addict!
|
Sherri .
funfam4
66,750
Insider Points
|
I’m beginning to feel there might be such a thing as “Post-Traumatic Dashboard Shock Syndrome”!! This can work both ways, too! If you have suddenly received a “red” when you really had very high-hopes for an idea and thought you had this in the bag…OR even if you have received a “green” when you felt the competition or patents out there were like entering a tricky “minefield” and you tried an LPS despite this fact but did NOT expect to get past a certain stage?! The surprise of these dashboard “shocks” can sometimes throw you for a little loop!! Thank goodness for our forum and of course, the other Live Product Searches…hee-hee!!
|
William(Bill) James
o2b1
|
Step 13…Do it all over again.
|
Karen Norris
seitzkaren
85,000
Insider Points
|
Toni, William,
Welcome fellow addicts! PS Even if you don’t enter it’s addiction. I just missed entering a contest due to not enough hours in the day and I’m still kickin myself. Anyway welcome, glad you found the rest of us troubled souls.
|
Betsy .
betsykaufman
150,000
Insider Points
|
Okay, I’m bringing this wonderful topic up again…..so that all you new EN people who are checking and checking and checking your ASOTV Q3 submissions can have a little laugh! Karen originally wrote this—-and it really is so right on!
|
Johnny Sandberg
johnnydonna
39,500
Insider Points
|
Good idea Betsy, every time a new search comes out I am realing to come up with ideas for it! lol. It is a lot of fun, I am definitely addicted!
Johnny
|
