Who are you, and what do you do?
Hello, my name is Brian Fried. I am an inventor that loves to find new ways to make life easier or more interesting! Many of my inventions have been licensed for me to earn royalties and I have also manufactured some of my products, working through all the steps of bringing my ideas to reality. As I continue on my invention journey, I have the opportunity to meet so many interesting people with great ideas and I help guide them through the invention steps needed… or I can do it all for them as “The Inventor Coach.” I now represent many inventors as a licensing agent and as an everyday go to guy that helps answer inventor questions. I have authored several books, “You & Your Big Ideas” & “Inventing Secrets Revealed“, hosted a radio show call Got Invention Radio, Founded and run the Long Island Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club for over 13 years, have over a dozen patents, recently appointed to Executive Director of the United Inventors Association and enjoy speaking opportunities I’ve been invited to participate in, on the topic of Invention and innovation.
What is one habit of yours that helps you be productive?
I consider myself to be resourceful. I make it a point to always learn from my experiences, people I meet, watch what people do, learn how different types of businesses operate and how the world turns on a daily basis. I like to take the good from what I learn, remove what doesn’t work, and keep trying and adding new things to keep increasing the good. I listen to others and value people’s opinions and constructive criticism, then again… it’s just their opinion!
What is your morning routine and how does it help you get the most out of your day?
I wake up at 5:08am (anything with an 8 in it is my lucky number) and do a quick workout to get my aching 45 year old body active and ready for the day. I read the paper and my day continues with everyday problem, solutions to solve working with companies and people, connecting with the various vendors I work with to keep my ideas and other inventors products moving forward and then speaking with factories overseas until the reruns of Seinfeld or Big Bang Theory begin around 11pm.
In the last few years, what lifestyle, habit or behavior change has had the biggest positive impact on your life?
I have learned to separate emotion from business decisions. It has allowed me a clearer vision of what I should work on and what I should move on from.
Now, I tell other inventors that they should do the same. Sometimes as inventors we are so into an idea that people are telling you have made something more complicated to accomplish or may just have limited potential and because you have put so much thought or effort into it you just can’t let go and you want to believe… but if you are on the track with coming up with ideas, you will come up with another one. Be patient and work on windows of opportunity that have a good shot of success.
When you feel unfocused, what do you do?
I have several things I do… I help others with their ideas and while I encourage them, I get inspired and encouraged. And then sometimes I find time to myself, lately I go shopping and look at different sections of the stores and take in any innovative products I see, I look at what brands are on the shelves, watch how people shop and their behavior in making buying decisions. I do a lot of thinking and sometimes I even binge watch shows.
What is one piece of software or a web service that you get immense value out of? How do you use it?
I use google suite of services. I like gmail, calendar and especially like google Keep, which allows me to jot down so many thoughts, notes, tasks, things I will need to reference later and reminders. With so many things going through my head with my big ideas and personal life, it is very active for me. It also let’s you label your notes, add images, checklists, freehand/draw, record messages and easily find anything I need very easily. I can access everything from any device. I’m sure it does more, check it out for yourself to help manage your business or personal information.
What is the one book you recommend most often and why?
Besides my own books, I like the book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. The author compiled amazing conversations to understand the mindset of many successful people and what it took for them to achieve greatness. This book is about being rich in your mind first and knowing that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.
What advice would you give a smart and ambitious recent college graduate? What advice should they ignore?
Do what you love, follow your dreams and make it happen. Get advice from people that have been there, done that and if you take that information and transform it to who you are. Be yourself. Make it a point to meet someone new everyday.
You don’t have to follow any particular path that someone tells you to. Zig when everyone else zags.
What is your favorite quote, one you aim to live by?
There are people that LET things happen and people that MAKE things happen… the choice is yours. Keep moving forward!
