When I was in sixth grade, we were forced to write a Haiku poem. When I was a lad, I was not very fond of writing. Times have changed.
For those not familiar with Haiku let me give you a short lesson. A haiku is a non-rhymed poem, conveying an image or feeling in two parts spread over three lines. There are 5 syllables in the first line and 7 syllables in the second line and 5 syllables in the last line.
So why the sudden interest in Japanese poetry? Well, when I woke up this morning the words “Haiku Resume” popped in my head. Weird, I know. So I was thinking that what if you could distill your resumé down into 17 syllables.
Someone also thought of this and posted it here on the Pongo Blog. Here are some examples from the post:
Administrative Assistant
Knows what bosses need
And provides them with the tools
That make them look goodCustomer Service Representative
Able to listen
To people being bitchy
Without bitching backReal Estate Agent
Helps you look beyond
These four walls to see instead
Your dream lifestyle here
So what does this have to do with inventing? I want you to write a Haiku about your invention and post it in the comments. Now if the idea is not protected, don’t disclose it. I know a few of you have products on the market already so no worries.
Even if you don’t post it, this exercise will help you sharpen your focus regarding what you invention really needs to be. I was writing a PPA yesterday for one of my wife’s inventions and I really had to work hard on distilling down the essence of the invention to write a good title and description of the function.
It’s kind of reminds me of the beatnik playing the bongos reciting poetry from the TV show Happy Days.
“Little doggie in the window
there is no food for you today
only death.”
Thank you for reading. Comments are welcome and encouraged. Let me know what you think.
