"People claim to want to do something that matters, yet they measure themselves against things that don’t, and track their progress not in years but in microseconds. They want to make something timeless, but they focus instead on immediate payoffs and instant gratification."
How does an author create something that is destined to last?
Every creative person would like to see their work be successful for years to come, to continue selling even when the projects have changed.
Yet, many fail at this. Many try to create "immortal" work but focus on immediate economic results and instant gratification, on what is trending when the work is being made.
In any sector, certain creations can be considered "perennial", which means they have been successful, and have had an increasing number of customers over time. These are the types of products we purchase several times, and that we recommend to others, even if they are no longer in vogue. They can be considered lasting, and they acquire value over the years. This is why they are called "perennial products".
Some of these will probably still exist in ten years, and they represent a phenomenon known in economics as the "Lindy effect", according to which every day something lasts, the chances that it will continue to last increase.
The longevity of a work is not just a matter of luck or genius. It's no coincidence. A "perennial" success is also the result of the right decisions, the right priorities and of course, the right product. There are too many things in common among "perennials" for luck to be the only success factor.
