The rules are simple. Take your work, but never yourself

Hear the timeless wisdom of Chuck Jones, a master of creation and joy, who declared: “The rules are simple. Take your work, but never yourself, seriously. Pour in the love and whatever skill you have, and it will come out.” These words, though spoken with simplicity, carry the depth of a life spent in devotion to craft. They teach the balance between humility and excellence, between labor and the spirit of play.

To take one’s work seriously is the duty of all who seek to create or serve. A task, no matter how small, becomes sacred when approached with focus and care. The work itself is a vessel, and into it we must pour our best effort, like a potter shaping clay or a scribe etching words of wisdom. But Jones warns against the trap of self-importance. When we take ourselves seriously, pride swells, and the joy of creation is replaced by fear of failure and hunger for glory.

The heart of creation, Jones reminds us, is love. Skill alone, though necessary, is not enough. A craftsman may have perfect technique, but without passion, their work will be lifeless, like a statue without a soul. When love is poured into the task — love for the art, for the audience, for the simple act of making — the result will carry a living spirit that touches others. Even if one’s skill is humble, the sincerity of love magnifies it.

This teaching arises from the ancient truths found in every tradition of artistry and labor. The master painter, the storyteller by the fire, the humble farmer planting seeds — all knew that work done with joy bears fruit beyond what can be measured. Those who forget this, taking themselves too seriously, become rigid and fearful, while those who work with love create freely, like rivers flowing to the sea.

Let future generations remember: life is too vast to be burdened by the weight of ego. Give yourself fully to your work, honor it with love and skill, but hold your own image lightly. In doing so, you will find not only mastery but freedom, and your creations will speak with a voice far greater than your own.