Keep Going
Book #2
September 2022
Keep Going by Austin Kleon
I think this book is best described as therapy for people who do creative work; all types of creative pursuits, whether professional or amateur. It’s not a long book. It’s square and chubby and I read it in 2 sittings. This is the second book I’ve read from Austin Kleon who describes himself as a writer that draws. He is also a collector of thoughts. If you’re in a creative slog or if you don’t have a community of creative people around to talk to, this is a worthwhile read. It’s organized into several subjects, supported by lots of quotes from a variety of creative minds, and enhanced by simple doodles from the author.
Hands down this is my favorite quote from the book:
“I must decline, for secret reasons.” – E.B. White
In the book this quote is shared in the context of saying “no”. Yes, that’s an important skill to hone. I also want to add: you almost never have to articulate a reason for saying “no”. You don’t have to explain that you’re going to the dentist to get a filling or that you’re getting your license renewed (although, those are “acceptable” excuses for saying no). You can also say no because you’re tired, that you need down time, that you need to catch up on life stuff like laundry and groceries, that a person or place you’re saying no to sucks the life out of you (less acceptable reasons to say no). You are also saying yes to things… rest, peace of mind, a comfy homelife, alone time. I recently went late to a social gathering. I didn’t tell anyone why, I just told them I’d be a little late. I wanted to read to my kids and tuck them in before I left. None of those folks cared, but my kids appreciated it, my husband appreciated it and I enjoyed my time with my family.
The book has many thoughts about using your attention for things that you care about. Sometimes it’s focusing on the type of creative work you want to do. Sometimes you may put your attention on your personal life. The point is, you are choosing, whether you realize it or not:
“My experience is what I agree to attend to, only those items which I notice shape my mind.”
— psychologist William James, 1890
“Attention is the most basic form of love, when you pay attention to your life, it not only provides you with the material for your art, it also helps you fall in love with your life.”
— John Tarrant
Worry less about getting things done. Worry more about things worth doing.
— Austin Kleon
This quote is not in the book, but has been on my mind lately and is closely related.
Your talent is in your choice.
—Stella Adler
At the moment, what I take away from this quote is that you are talented in the things you spend your time and attention on. What determined what you are good at… circumstance, opportunity, fate, personal choice?
I couldn’t help but notice a few repeating themes from my previous read How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer:
Idea 1 : Creativity is in the process, not in the final product
The great artists are able to retain this sense of playfulness throughout their careers. Art and the artist both suffer most when the artist gets too heavy, too focused on results.
— Austin Kleon
Idea 2: We tend to associate with like-minded people, and “other” everyone else
The trouble is that we’re increasingly becoming a culture that is clustering into like-minded communities and networks. Offline, this plays out in where people live, whether by choice or necessity online, it plays out in what websites we visit, who we choose to follow and how the algorithms of online networks are fire-tuned to show us what they think we want to see.
— Austin Kleon
I’ve also noticed that grappling with the negative aspects of productivity is a common theme post-pandemic:
It’s always a mistake to equate productivity and creativity. They are not the same. In fact, they’re frequently at odds with each other: You’re often most creative when you’re the least productive.
—Austin Kleon
Some personal take-aways for me:
The author mentions that artist David Shrigley will make a huge list of fifty things to draw a week in advance. I’ve been wanting to draw more regularly and make it part of my daily routine. I think making a list and having a time/place to do this might be just what I need to make it happen.
There is a whole section of this book dedicated to walking and there is a huge list of artists, writers, and more who make walking a ritual in their life. I have had many phases of walking and recently, I have made a shift in my routine to include more walking (before I read this book!). I’m glad to know I have some artistic company. I think there are many factors that make walking good for you. I feel more fully connected to my senses. It feels right to use my body the way it is intended to be used. Exercise and sunlight are good for your physical and mental health. I notice that walking on a treadmill, staring at a screen or listening to audio while walking diminish the positives of walking. There are many types of walking and I’ve gone through phases depending on what’s going on in my life. Walking around a college campus, exploring a city, running an errand on foot, hiking, pushing a toddler in a stroller. By yourself or with friends. But none-the-less, walking feels beneficial and clears my head.
After this rather quick and therapuetic read, I will be more tuned into how I spend my time. How does it align with my goals, values and my creative aspirations? Is being busy and productive squeezing out time to recooperate, think and be creative? Couldn’t really ask for a better take away.