The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review –  Keep Going by Austin Kleon

Austin Kleon’s Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad is a work that transcends its identity as a self-help guide for creatives. It operates as a quiet manifesto, affirming the value of persistence, play, and mindfulness in an increasingly chaotic and demanding world. Written with Kleon’s signature blend of wit, wisdom, and visual charm, the book is both a call to arms and a balm for the weary soul navigating creative pursuits.

At first glance, Keep Going appears deceptively simple, with its digestible format and minimalist design. Yet, this simplicity is a deliberate and poignant choice, reflecting Kleon’s core message: clarity and action trump complexity. Each chapter, structured around a guiding principle such as “Forget the Noun, Do the Verb” or “You Are Allowed to Change Your Mind,” resonates as a pithy distillation of timeless wisdom. These phrases feel like modern proverbs, rooted in the lived experiences of artists, writers, and thinkers.

What sets Keep Going apart from other creativity manuals is its ability to be simultaneously practical and philosophical. Kleon draws heavily on the ethos of thinkers like Thoreau and the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, celebrating impermanence and imperfection. Yet, he grounds these lofty ideals with actionable advice. For instance, in encouraging readers to “Make Gifts,” Kleon not only invokes a sense of altruism but also highlights how the act of creating without transactional expectation can rejuvenate the artist’s spirit.

The book’s strength lies in its accessibility without losing intellectual depth. Kleon often references luminaries like Walt Whitman and Anne Lamott, weaving literary threads that connect the reader to a broader creative lineage. His use of anecdotes, personal reflections, and illustrations creates a rich tapestry that engages visual learners and literary scholars alike. Kleon’s humor, often self-deprecating, is a refreshing counterpoint to the existential weight of his advice.

Keep Going is particularly poignant in its recognition of creativity as a cyclical and communal act. Kleon’s emphasis on routines and rituals—returning to a workspace, walking, journaling—reminds us of the importance of grounding ourselves in the mundane as a way to sustain the sublime. He does not glamorize creativity; instead, he acknowledges its struggles, framing them as necessary companions to its joys. In a world increasingly defined by the pursuit of instant gratification, this acknowledgment feels both brave and comforting.

If the book has a limitation, it may be its brevity. At times, one wishes Kleon would delve deeper into certain concepts or provide more nuanced explorations of his ideas. For example, his assertion that we should “forget the noun, do the verb” might have benefitted from a more extended engagement with philosophical or linguistic perspectives. However, this brevity could also be seen as part of the book’s charm—its refusal to overstay its welcome and its insistence on leaving space for readers to draw their conclusions.

In conclusion, Keep Going is more than a guidebook for creatives; it is a lifeline for anyone navigating the uncertainties of modern existence. Kleon has crafted a work that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. For readers willing to engage with its wisdom, the book offers a gentle but firm push to keep moving forward, even when the path feels unclear. As Kleon himself writes, “The creative life is not a linear journey to a finish line; it’s a cycle, a loop, a spiral.” And in Keep Going, we find both a map and a companion for that endless, glorious journey.