This reminds me of the old author's adage: "Never tell anyone about the story, until you're done writing it!" Because if you do you lose motivation for writing it?

I suspect you could adapt this technique for other endeavours. Instead of telling the media about the the turbine motor which powers the tesla coils and gattling guns that you're working on, just tell them you have something really big in the mix - maintain the air of secrecy until you actually accomplish it. That way you'll have internal and external motivations in alignment.

Heck, even explain why you're not telling them everything - that'll give you deep wisdom.