I Wish I Had Invented That

I wish I had invented that. I could have. I should have. But I didn’t. But, oh, how simple it is. How brilliant, how clever.

I assume you have been there; a quick grinding of our teeth, clenching of our fist and shaking of our head.

Really, though, a simple invention can go a long way in shifting the pattern and mentality of our lifestyle and technology. Sometimes this development is the bi-product of common sense. Others, it’s studying the needs of mankind and the lack thereof and boom! A new bestselling product hits the shelves; a trend is set; a new standard must be met.

And after discovery I face-palm pondering, why didn’t I think of that?

So back to the original thought I miserably succumb to: I wish I had invented that.

The intentions of my inventions are always greener on the other side.

Green. 

We talk a lot about green here.

• The counterpart to our teal branding color

• The Couch

• The future spring color that will hopefully alleviate our cabin fever

• The nutrients found on our plates

But inevitably what I do not like to talk about – people, in general, avoid this topic – is the green-eyed monster. He doesn’t live under our beds. He doesn’t live in our closets.  No, this past week he was flirting with me through subtle winks.

It was the other day he made an appearance in the name of Ikea - but only for a few, brief seconds. Of course he pops up erratically like a meerkat guarding his domain: Inconsistent and inconsiderate to my best intentions. And sometimes it’s like Old Faithful: A geyser of jealously that is exploding nearly unstoppable and obnoxiously obvious.

But this green-eyed monster in the office was pretty subtle, although I worxed it out of my system quickly.

So, Laura shared a story about a girl whom for years upon receiving her Ikea catalog would lose herself in the pages by doodling picturesque scenes of people and the likes. The pages now had a new sense of purpose and life. When Ikea discovered this tradition of hers, they offered her a job. When Ikea discovered this tradition of hers, they offered a job. No, not a typo. I typed that twice for special effects.

When I heard this story, I felt shivers. I was like, wow. That’s cool. And then… Suddenly I got that bitter taste in my mouth. The "I wish I had invented it," taste. It’s akin to gum that has lost its taste. Like accidently inhaling shower water into your mouth heavily laced with shampoo. But at most it lasted ten, fifteen seconds.

Because I sat back, looked around the green office with its teal counterpart and thought, I love my job. I love my job! And I wouldn’t trade it in for a golden yellow and blue branded job for all the Ikea catalogs of my lifespan. (Now, had they seen my doodles in their spread and offered me furniture? Different story, different ending.)

So how can you come to the same conclusion? How can you give your green-eyed monster some shut-eye so you can enjoy and put to rest the, “I wish I had invented that” mentality when it comes to the job you are living?

Here’s two ways I’ve tackled it:

1) Walk Ahead of The Crowd

I wish I had invented that. Had, had, had. Should have, could have, would have. However, did not. All past tense. It’s time to move on and find your invention. Maybe what you do is crunch numbers. Then you need to find a way for your company to crunch more efficiently. Perhaps your job title encompasses the duties of folding the jeans at Gap’s display stands. As you listen to customer’s concerns, you could be the one who resolves the conflict of skinny jeans losing their skinny as the day elapses. For every invention, there are millions more crises that need a cure.

2) Talk The Walk

Learn to talk positively about what you do. One of my brothers says he hates talking about work, thus avoids small talk. That perfunctory question you are asked every time you talk to someone: The weather, your health and the dreaded, how’s work? Yes, same old, same old. And it’s the boring, mundane description; full of busyness, stressful complaints.

But rather, point out the positive, animated topics. Talk about the culture. Talk about the lifestyle. Don’t talk about it as if it's work. Talk about the walk.

The purpose isn’t to make others jealous, but to make others zealous to do the same: To walk ahead of the crowd and talk the walk. To inspire a generation of inventors that instead of having to stay I wish I had invented, they can confidently say:

I had a wish. I made it happen. I’m walking ahead. Because, I am an inventor.