Book Review #4: Keep Going by Austin Kleon

Table of Contents
The Book in 3 Sentences. Who should read it? Summary and Highlights. How it impacted me. Top 5 Quotes. Information about the book.

The Book in 3 Sentences.

1. Make peace with the fact that a dumb situation may not ever get easier.
2. Do not sell every bit of your work but keep a little for yourself.
3. Take yourself to get some fresh air and forget about working.

Who should read it?

I highly recommend this book to the people who are somehow broken in their profession and need a guide to come back strongly. During reading, one may feel like the book is dedicated only to artists but, after completion, you can somehow correlate with yourself. You may get to know:

1. the ways to find out the leaks in your work schedule.
2. the importance of mental peace in professional life and how to achieve it.
3. the trick of not monetizing all your work yet increasing productivity.
4. the technique of changing your work plan and point of view.
5. about the season of success.

Summary and Highlights.

IIt is a non-fiction book and, it contains a lot of crucial points. So, this summary will include a brief discussion of the whole book. It may seem like a spoiler. Therefore, please read the book first.

1. Every day is Ground Hog Day.
   1. A creative idea needs a lot of hard work “every single day” to implement.
   2. You may follow others but don’t expect their routine or work schedule to work for you too. Make your customized routine.
   3. Make a list of all your works every day so you do not have to worry about forgetting them. Instead, you can cross them after completion and keep track of your progress.
   4. When you are about to decide something, make a list of pros and cons about it. Now evaluate the strength of pros and cast your vote accordingly.
2. Build a Bliss Station.
   1. Even though there are obstacles, you have to find a peaceful corner to connect with your thoughts.
   2. Keep your phone out of your reach when you wake up. Not even read the newspaper for at least fifteen minutes.
   3. Use the aeroplane mode of your phone wisely and regularly.
   4. You have to learn how to decline all sorts of invitations.
3. Forget the Noun, Do the Verb.
   1. Do not work for the titles. Work because you have to or you like to.
   2. Think of your work as a game and play with it.
   3. Like new toys to play with, find some new and uncommon materials to make your work interesting.
4. Make Gifts.
   1. Do not monetize all your works. Do something exclusive which is only for yourself.
   2. Do not monetize all your works. Do something exclusive which is only for yourself.
   3. Do not get hungry for immediate feedbacks. Let them come. Focus on your work and your sanity.
   4. Give gifts to your followers and those who are careful about you. Because every gift is special, as they are made with care.
5. The Ordinary + Extra Attention = The Extraordinary.
   1. Try to find creativity from ordinary places. Focus and find the simplicity of ordinary things.
   2. Slow down. Think very slowly and break down your ideas. You will always find something magical.
   3. Focus on your previous works, writings, arts etc. You will get an insight into your progress which will guide you to the very next step.
6. Slay the Art Monsters.
   1. Do what makes your and other people’s lives better. Stop and skip, if things are going otherwise.
7. You are Allowed to Change Your Mind.
   1. Go offline if you want to change your decision and come back with new ideas.
   2. Find like-minded people and try to connect with them with whatever the cost is. 
   3. Read old books. People have already faced your problems and found solutions that you are trying to figure out.
8. When in Doubt, Tidy Up.
   1. Tidy up your work environment but don’t make it so clean that you hesitate to make it filthy again.
   2. When tidying up, you will get mental relief from the workload and, you may discover an unused tool that might inspire you for another work.
   3. Sleep when you have time. This will wash away toxins from your brain and make it more productive.
9. Demons Hate Fresh Air.
   1. Walk in the fresh air, notice what is happening around you. This will give you ideas about the real world.
10. Plant Your Garden.
    1. Creativity has patterns that change continuously. Wait eagerly for its suitable season to come.
    2. Go easy on yourself and take your time. Worry less about getting things done.

How it impacted me.

1. This book inspires me to focus on my thoughts and inner peace.
2. It motivates me to rise from the point of fall and rediscover myself.
3. I feel the urge to look back on my past works.

Top 5 Quotes.

“A routine helps you by protecting you from the ups and downs of life and helping you take advantage of your limited time,energy and talent. “

“Airplane mode is not just a setting on your phone, it can be a whole way of life.”

“Sometimes saying ‘no’ is the only way to say ‘yes’ to your art and your sanity.”

“Keep your tools organized and your materials messy”

“Life is an art, not a science.”

Information about the book.