"If you don't have talent or preparation for whatever you want to do, you will not be successful in anything"
About this Quote
The phrasing is blunt to the point of provocation. “Whatever you want to do” and “anything” are intentionally absolute, less a philosophy seminar than a boundary. That absolutism is the subtext: ambition alone isn’t a plan, and desire doesn’t negotiate with reality. It also quietly pushes back against a culture that treats visibility as achievement. Machado’s world - pageants, television, public scrutiny - rewards polish, stamina, and repetition. Preparation isn’t just practice; it’s armor. It’s learning how to perform under pressure, how to take rejection, how to stay camera-ready when your personal life becomes content.
There’s another layer here, too: a defense of legitimacy. For women in celebrity culture, success is frequently framed as decorative or accidental, then punished as undeserved. By emphasizing preparation, Machado claims authorship over her trajectory: not a miracle, not a mistake, not merely a look - a skillset.
It’s harsh, yes, but the emotional register is protective: if you’re going to chase something, don’t let fantasy be the thing that fails you.
Quote Details
| Topic | Success |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Featured | This quote was our Quote of the Day on September 5, 2025 |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Machado, Alicia. (2026, January 11). If you don't have talent or preparation for whatever you want to do, you will not be successful in anything. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/if-you-dont-have-talent-or-preparation-for-71625/
Chicago Style
Machado, Alicia. "If you don't have talent or preparation for whatever you want to do, you will not be successful in anything." FixQuotes. January 11, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/if-you-dont-have-talent-or-preparation-for-71625/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"If you don't have talent or preparation for whatever you want to do, you will not be successful in anything." FixQuotes, 11 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/if-you-dont-have-talent-or-preparation-for-71625/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.






