The truth is, it will take longer than you want and cost more than you think.

The truth about me is this, I am an optimist. I always underestimate how long something takes and how much it cost to do. I think that this is a great source of frustration for my wife. She is exactly opposite. Our brains just seem to work different. With that being said, we are always supportive of each other and since we have been married for a long time, we have come to understand how each of us works through problems, but we both believe there isn't a problem we can't overcome given time and resources. I truly believe you can't be an inventor if your a pessimist. The process will probably kill you, or at the very least put you in an asylum. You have to have patience. I always want to rush to the next step. This gets me into trouble sometimes and cost money. I just get overly excited. Sound familiar yet? My advice is this.... research, research, research. At least while your figuring your next move, you'll feel like your doing something to move the process forward. Last but not least, make sure you have some kind of record of your invention. One way is an inventors note book. Write down dates, sketches, who you talked to. Anything that has to do with the invention. Get someone to witness it. This will take the place of a provisional patent application until you get one filed.