[Book review] Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday

A blogger recommended this book called 'Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts' by Ryan Holiday. It was interesting read in the beginning, but the marketing part in the end wasn't exciting.

Ryan explains the drudging process of creating a perennial (outlasting) work of art. How can one today create something, i.e. a painting, writing, piece of music, even a business that lasts few years, but can survive and outlive the fast changes of our times? Well, produce quality work with time, self-reflection and persistence. This is nothing for the emotionally weak, creating has nothing to do with inspiration or creativity, quality work is a drudging and tiring process, but well worth if one can persist. Just like the movie 'The Founder', the keyword is 'persistence'. This is how you create a masterpiece that could last forever.

I’ve been following new trends, and try to be one of them, which I sucked. I thought I wasn't trying hard enough, but I was wrong. I've been wasting my time. Those hype come and go easily. If I want to be successful, I need to do it my way. I need to create something classic and legendary. To do this, I need to be stubborn and have ability to ignore some other's opinion. Sure, it will take a long time, but you have to believe yourself. Start working and love your creating. You don’t need any motivation or inspiration. Don’t wait for lightning idea. Just do it, and start doing something, and then ideas will follow. Focus on what you really want in your life. Start small, but don’t stop there. Keep building, fixing, upgrading, making it better and better till it’s perfect.

I recommend this book to all kinds of artists. Specially people who is writing a book, or making music or movie, and entrepreneurs. Ryan provides lots of good and interesting examples on those topic in the book. It was worth reading.