Keep Going by Austin Kleon

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Keep Going is a book by Austin Kleon that offers advice and encouragement on how to stay creative, focused, and true to yourself in the face of personal burnout or external distractions.

It is a motivational and inspirational self-help book written by Austin Kleon. Published in 2019, the book aims to provide guidance and practical advice for individuals looking to sustain their creativity and motivation over the long term, especially in the face of challenges and setbacks.

One of the key messages of Keep Going is that creativity is a practice, not a talent. Anyone can be creative if they are willing to put in the work. Practical advice on how to develop your creative skills, such as keeping a notebook, finding mentors, and experimenting with different mediums.

Another important theme in the book is the importance of community. Creatives need to support each other in order to thrive.

There is a set of ten practical principles to help creatives maintain their creative drive and overcome creative blocks.

These principles include:

• Embracing Routine

• Finding Small

• Sustainable Ways to Maintain Creativity

• Staying Curious

• Nurturing a Creative Community

Here are the ten principles from Austin Kleon's "Keep Going" explained in detail:

Every Day Is Groundhog Day

This principle encourages individuals to establish a daily routine for their creative work.

By approaching each day with a sense of consistency and structure, you can maintain creative momentum and make steady progress. It's about showing up, even on days when inspiration is lacking.

By treating every day as if it's the same, you're instilling a sense of discipline and commitment to your creative endeavors.

Rather than relying on bursts of inspiration or waiting for the perfect conditions, you're committing to showing up and doing the work, day in and day out.

Creativity can often be a battle against resistance, a term popularized by author Steven Press Field in his book "The War of Art."

Resistance is that inner force that tries to prevent you from doing the work, and it's often at its strongest when you're starting a new project or returning to a long-term one.

By embracing a daily routine, you're effectively chipping away at resistance. The daily repetition can become a ritual that helps you overcome this resistance and get into a creative flow.

Repetition is key to mastering any skill, including creative ones. The more you practice and engage with your craft, the more you'll improve over time.

The principle encourages you to view your creative work as a daily practice, allowing you to learn, grow, and refine your skills.

Build a Bliss Station

A "bliss station" is a space or time set aside for creative work, free from distractions and pressures. Creating a physical or mental space where you can fully focus on your creative endeavors and find joy in the process.

One interpretation of "bliss station" is to establish a physical workspace where you can immerse yourself in your creative projects. This space should be designed to enhance your creativity and productivity. It might be a desk, a corner of a room, or even a separate studio, depending on your available space and resources.

Personalize this space with objects, artwork, or items that inspire you. Surround yourself with things that make you feel good and stimulate your creativity.

A "bliss station" can also refer to a designated time in your daily or weekly schedule when you allow yourself to focus entirely on your creative work.

This can be particularly useful for those who may not have the physical space to create a dedicated studio or workspace.

During this allotted time, you set aside distractions, obligations, and worries, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your creative process. This mental space is essential for finding your creative flow and staying in the zone.

Forget the Noun, Do the Verb

Instead of fixating on labels and identities (e.g., "I'm a writer" or "I'm an artist"), focus on the actions and processes that make you creative (e.g., "I write" or "I draw"). This shift in mindset allows you to engage in creative activities without the pressure of a fixed identity.

When you "do the verb," you prioritize the actions you take to create something over what you call yourself or how you're perceived by others. This shift in focus encourages you to engage in the creative process and take tangible steps towards your goals.

Labeling yourself with a specific creative noun can create expectations and pressure to live up to that identity. It may lead to self-doubt, perfectionism, or creative blocks.

By concentrating on the creative actions you take, you can free yourself from these burdens and approach your work with more freedom and authenticity.

Creative blocks can be a result of feeling constrained by your identity as a "writer," "artist," or any other creative noun. You may worry about whether your work measures up to the standards associated with that identity.

When you "do the verb," you can focus on the actual process of creation, bypassing these inhibitions and generating more ideas and content.

"Doing the verb" allows for greater flexibility and exploration. You're not confined to a specific category of creativity. You can try various creative activities and experiment with different mediums without worrying about whether they align with your established identity.

Make Gifts

Consider the act of creating and sharing your work with others as a gift. Rather than seeking immediate monetary or recognition rewards, consider how your creative output can benefit and delight others, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Making gifts with your creative work embodies a sense of generosity and altruism. It shifts your perspective from a self-centered approach to a more outward-focused one.

Your primary goal is to contribute something meaningful to others, which can be a powerful motivator for your creative endeavors.

Sharing your work as a gift can help you build a sense of community and connection with your audience or with fellow creators. It establishes a bond based on the act of giving and receiving, fostering a positive and supportive relationship.

When you create with the intent to make gifts, you're more likely to produce authentic and heartfelt work. Your motivation comes from a desire to connect with others, tell a story, convey a message, or evoke emotions, rather than just sell a product. This authenticity can resonate more deeply with your audience.

The Ordinary Is Extraordinary

Find inspiration in everyday life. You don't need exotic experiences to be creative; mundane moments and common objects can be a rich source of creativity. Observing and celebrating the ordinary can lead to fresh ideas.

This principle encourages you to see the beauty in simplicity and the ordinary. It could be the play of light and shadow on a familiar street, the texture of everyday objects, or the patterns in nature that you encounter during your daily routine.

By appreciating the ordinary, you cultivate a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around you. This childlike wonder can be a powerful source of inspiration and creativity, as it encourages you to approach familiar things with fresh eyes and an open heart.

Even within your daily routines, there are opportunities for novelty and discovery. By seeking out the extraordinary in the ordinary, you can inject new energy and inspiration into your creative process, without necessarily needing a radical change of scenery.

Slay the Art Monsters

This principle encourages you to confront and conquer your Art Monsters, allowing your creative spirit to flourish.

Art monsters are the self-doubts, fears, and insecurities that can prevent you from engaging in creative work. They might take the form of perfectionism, imposter syndrome, comparison to others, fear of failure, or any other mental barriers that hinder your creative process.

"Slaying the Art Monsters" acknowledges that creative work can be challenging, and it's normal to face these internal struggles. By acknowledging these challenges, you can confront them more effectively.

To "slay" these art monsters, you need to summon courage and resilience. This principle encourages you to be brave and push through moments of self-doubt or fear. It's about recognizing that these monsters are not insurmountable and that you have the strength to face them head-on.

Perfectionism is a common art monster. It can lead to creative paralysis because you're afraid of making mistakes or producing imperfect work. "Slaying the Art Monsters" encourages you to embrace imperfection and understand that it's a natural part of the creative process. It's through imperfection that you learn and grow.

You Are Allowed to Change Your Mind

It's okay to change direction, pivot, and adapt in your creative journey. Embrace the flexibility to explore new interests and let your creative pursuits evolve naturally.

This principle acknowledges that as individuals grow and learn, their interests and goals may evolve. What you were passionate about or focused on in the past may not align with your current interests and aspirations.

"You Are Allowed to Change Your Mind" emphasizes that this evolution is not a sign of inconsistency but rather a natural part of personal and creative growth.

Changing your mind allows for continued learning and exploration. When you explore new ideas, mediums, or areas of interest, you expand your knowledge and gain fresh perspectives. This can lead to more enriching and diverse creative experiences.

Staying rigidly committed to a single path or project, even when it no longer resonates with you, can lead to creative stagnation and burnout. "You Are Allowed to Change Your Mind" empowers you to recognize when it's time to shift gears and explore new creative horizons.

When in Doubt, Tidy Up

A cluttered physical and mental space can impede creativity. Tidying up and organizing your environment can free up mental space and lead to greater focus and inspiration.

A cluttered physical environment can often lead to a cluttered mind. When you tidy up your workspace or surroundings, you create a clear and organized mental space as well. This mental clarity can make it easier to focus and generate creative ideas.

A tidy workspace helps eliminate distractions. When you're surrounded by unnecessary clutter or disorganization, it's easier to become distracted or procrastinate. Tidying up minimizes these distractions and allows you to concentrate more effectively on your creative work.

Tidying up can improve your productivity. When you have a clean and organized environment, you can work more efficiently, find what you need quickly, and waste less time searching for misplaced items or dealing with clutter-related issues.

When you're stuck or facing creative blocks, tidying up can provide a physical and mental reset. The act of organizing and tidying can be a productive way to take a break from your creative work and often leads to fresh ideas or a renewed sense of motivation.

Demons Hate Fresh Air

Get outside, take walks, and immerse yourself in nature. Spending time in natural surroundings can be restorative, providing clarity and fresh perspectives that enhance creativity.

Creative demons represent the negative thoughts, fears, and self-criticisms that can impede your creative process. These might include self-doubt, perfectionism, comparison to others, or a fear of failure. Recognizing these demons is the first step in addressing them.

Creative demons often feed on stagnation and isolation. When you're stuck in the same routines, working in a closed-off environment, or ruminating in your own thoughts, these negative influences can become more powerful.

"Demons Hate Fresh Air" suggests that introducing new experiences, perspectives, and inspiration into your life can help dispel these negative influences. Fresh air represents a breath of fresh ideas and new energy.

To combat creative demons, you need to introduce variety and exploration into your life. This can include trying new creative mediums, stepping outside of your comfort zone, or seeking out experiences that challenge your existing perspectives.

Plant Your Garden

Think long-term and nurture your creative journey. Just as a gardener patiently tends to their plants, you should tend to your creative projects over time. Be patient and persistent, allowing your work to grow and develop.

Just as a gardener starts by planting seeds, creative projects often begin with small ideas or initial concepts. "Plant Your Garden" underscores the importance of nurturing these early creative sparks and allowing them to grow over time.

Gardens don't flourish overnight; they require time and patience. Similarly, creative projects need time to develop and grow. This principle encourages you to be patient and recognize that creative progress is often gradual.

Like plants that need regular watering and care, creative projects thrive when you consistently give them your attention. Whether it's writing a little each day, practicing an instrument, or creating art, dedicating regular time to your craft is essential for growth.

Gardens face challenges like pests, weather fluctuations, and diseases. Creative projects also encounter obstacles, such as creative blocks, self-doubt, and external pressures. "Plant Your Garden" emphasizes the need to persevere through these challenges and continue nurturing your creative work.

You can buy the book from Amazon

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