A few years ago, I was perusing the publications that had cited my papers and came across a patent application. My eyes bulged, and I clicked through to read what the patent was for. It was for a wound-healing device and my earlier work on epithelial cells seemed to be relevant, so it was cited.
I was thinking about that today. And thinking about the many times I played small in the past in spite of the fact that work I had created had been considered useful enough to be cited in a whole patent application (amongst other impressive publications.)
But it’s not just me, is it?
I do think, once a while, in a completely non-ego-stroking way, it is good to look over your past work, and then say to yourself:
“Self, you see how we did that thing? Yes, we did. And we have the intelligence and fortitude to tackle the difficult projects that are yet to come our way.”
Get your copy of Navigating the P.I.V.O.T.