Keep Going

10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad

by Austin Kleon

4.7(3,921 ratings)

10 min read

Brief overview

This book shares practical advice and inspiring anecdotes on how to stay creative, even when life gets hectic or demotivating. It explains the importance of daily habits, the power of play, and the ways to find joy in the ordinary. By the end, you will have several go-to strategies for nurturing your imagination and protecting your energy in good times and bad.

Introduction

We all have days when our creativity flows effortlessly and days when it seems to vanish. Sometimes it’s a quick dip in motivation; sometimes it feels like we’re slogging through a long dry spell. This tension can be discouraging—enough to make us consider giving up entirely.

Yet staying creative shouldn’t be reserved only for so-called geniuses. Regular people can thrive artistically, too, provided they have a few simple routines and a mindset of optimism. Even in a noisy, overwhelmed world, there are tools and habits that help us spark excitement and persevere.

Think of this as a supportive conversation with a friend who’s providing tested methods to weather the ups and downs of the creative journey. You’ll discover easy ways to structure your day, find new angles for your mundane experiences, and keep your energy high when facing the blank page or canvas.

Every Day is a Fresh Start

It can be liberating to see each new day as a clean slate, allowing you to focus on what you can do right now. Much like a page waiting to be written on or painted, your day ahead holds possibilities. This perspective helps reduce regrets over yesterday and anxieties over tomorrow.

If you’re stuck, remember that momentum builds by simply returning to your workspace regularly. Even if you spend just a few minutes working, you’re lending your imagination a daily opportunity to develop. You might not see results immediately, but consistent showing up is half the battle.

When the day ends, it’s helpful to let go of failures. Whether you created something brilliant or subpar, you’ve completed the day’s effort. Reward yourself with a small treat or keep a simple note of what you accomplished. It refreshes your mind for tomorrow’s fresh start.

Small daily practices eventually add up to big leaps in growth.

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What is Keep Going about?

Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad, by Austin Kleon, is a vital guide for anyone seeking to maintain creativity amid life's fluctuating demands. This book delves into strategies for upholding a creative spirit through insightful stories and actionable advice. It's about finding balance between productivity and play, uncovering joy in mundane routines, and persevering when motivation wanes.

Centered around ten principles, Kleon provides a roadmap for sustaining creativity. From cultivating daily rituals to nurturing a childlike sense of play, these chapters encourage readers to find productive habits that support a creative mindset. Far from just a how-to book, Keep Going emphasizes self-care, mindfulness, and the importance of embracing the everyday oddities that feed creativity.

In a world that constantly demands more from us, this book offers a reassuring perspective—it teaches that consistent effort, paired with joy and exploration, can lead to sustained creative forms, making it a refreshing addition to any artist or creator's toolkit.

Review of Keep Going

Austin Kleon's Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad shines as a beacon for creatives facing the inevitable peaks and valleys of their artistic journey. The book's greatest strength lies in its simple yet profound reminders that creativity thrives not on bursts of inspiration but on sustainable practices.

With practical advice such as establishing a daily routine and crafting a personal 'bliss station,' Kleon creates an accessible framework for enhancing creative productivity. His writing strikes a perfect balance between professional clarity and conversational charm, making his insights both digestible and deeply motivational.

Furthermore, Kleon's emphasis on playfulness and rejecting the pressure of outcomes resonates with an audience overstimulated by achievements. This book is arguably most impactful for those feeling bogged down by external pressures or at the risk of creative burnout. Kleon's message is clear: nurture your creativity in ways that feel personal, fulfilling, and joyous.

Highly recommended for anyone looking to rekindle their creative energy and find joy every step of the way, Keep Going is the perfect companion for those embarking on a long creative journey.

Who should read Keep Going?

Artists of any discipline seeking habits to sustain long-term creativity and overcome blocks.
Professionals juggling creative work alongside other responsibilities, looking for practical ways to integrate creativity.
Educators and mentors aiming to inspire students or mentees with actionable creativity techniques.
Individuals new to exploring their creative side, eager for a structured yet flexible approach.
Writers enduring the 'blank page' syndrome, seeking inspiration from a fellow wordsmith.

About the author

Austin Kleon is a New York Times bestselling author known for his works on creativity in the digital age. He has written five books, including "Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad," which offers practical advice on maintaining creativity. With a background in interdisciplinary studies from Miami University, Kleon has spoken at prominent organizations such as Pixar, Google, and TEDx, and his work has been translated into over 30 languages. He has also authored notable books like "Steal Like an Artist" and "Show Your Work!" which have sold nearly two million copies.