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The one important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative and the second is disastrous.
Margot Fonteyn
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the importance of valuing our work without becoming overly self-important.

Margot Fonteyn highlights a crucial distinction in our approach to work and self-perception. Taking one's work seriously fosters dedication and commitment, leading to better results, while taking oneself too seriously can result in arrogance and hinder personal growth. This balance is essential for both professional success and personal well-being.

Themes

WorkSelfSeriousnessBalanceGrowth

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be shared during a workshop on workplace ethics to emphasize maintaining humility.

More from Margot Fonteyn

Take your work seriously, but never yourself.
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Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable.
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Life forms illogical patterns. It is haphazard and full of beauties which I try to catch as they fly by, for who knows whether any of them will ever return?
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Dancers are both athletes and artists.
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The essential thing about mothers is that one needs to know that they are there, particularly at that age when, paradoxically, one is trying so hard to break away from parental influence.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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