--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To succeed, you have to do something and…" description: "\"To succeed, you have to do something and be very bad at it for a while. You have to look bad before you can look really good.\" — Barbara De Angelis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/barbara-de-angelis-9171_inspirational_to-succeed-you-have-to-do-something-and_837493.png" --- # To succeed, you have to do something and be very bad at it… ![“To succeed, you have to do something and be very bad at it for a while. You have to look bad before you can look really good.” quote by Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/barbara-de-angelis-9171_inspirational_to-succeed-you-have-to-do-something-and_837493.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/barbara-de-angelis-9171_inspirational_to-succeed-you-have-to-do-something-and_837493.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d7/barbara-de-angelis-9171_inspirational_to-succeed-you-have-to-do-something-and_837493.png) > “To succeed, you have to do something and be very bad at it for a while. You have to look bad before you can look really good.” [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Skill mastery often requires a period of poor performance before visible improvement. **In simple terms:** You must be bad before becoming good. Key Takeaway Embrace early failures as learning steps. Themes growth perseverance skill development Mood determined optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - starting a new job - learning a musical instrument - public speaking - entrepreneurship Key Concepts deliberate practice learning curve confidence building Questions to Reflect On - What temporary setbacks have you experienced that taught you valuable lessons? - How can you differentiate between productive struggle and detrimental failure? A Different Perspective Not all failures lead to growth; some may indicate misfit or lack of effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Uplifting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uplifting/) ## Related quotes > [“I look like I just threw up a family-sized bag of Skittles all over myself. Trust me, even you’d look bad in it, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-fallowfield/i-look-like-i-just-threw-up-a-family-sized-bag-of-skittles-all-over/) Charlotte Fallowfield > [I know about the bad, but I look at the good thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-herz-sommer/i-know-about-the-bad-but-i-look-at-the-good-thing/) [Alice Herz-Sommer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-herz-sommer/) > [You have to ask yourself a lot of questions and probably go to therapy to make sure that you're not someone who's in love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-amoruso/you-have-to-ask-yourself-a-lot-of-questions-and-probably-go-to/) [Sophia Amoruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-amoruso/) > [Attempting to squash your permeating stench of a loser by bum rushing every girl you come across is a bad look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-evans/attempting-to-squash-your-permeating-stench-of-a-loser-by-bum-rushing/) [Sean Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-evans/) > [It's not fair for little kids to feel bad about themselves for how they look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paloma-elsesser/it-s-not-fair-for-little-kids-to-feel-bad-about-themselves-for-how/) [Paloma Elsesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paloma-elsesser/) > [Hey, it isn't bad that I look young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-tisdale/hey-it-isn-t-bad-that-i-look-young/) [Ashley Tisdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-tisdale/) > [Jealousy is a bad look for anybody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/jealousy-is-a-bad-look-for-anybody/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My swing is so bad I look like a caveman killing his lunch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-trevino/my-swing-is-so-bad-i-look-like-a-caveman-killing-his-lunch/) [Lee Trevino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-trevino/) > [“In a good economy, people work hard to succeed. In a bad economy, people work hard to not fail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/in-a-good-economy-people-work-hard-to-succeed-in-a-bad-economy-people/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [When you see guys with their heads down, you just have to go and remind them that you're here for them and anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/when-you-see-guys-with-their-heads-down-you-just-have-to-go-and/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, only then would you be successful”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-want-to-succeed-as-bad-as-you-want-to-breathe-only-then/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Only when you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, will you be successful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/only-when-you-want-to-succeed-as-bad-as-you-want-to-breathe-will-you/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [When you want to succeed as bad you want to breathe, you will be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-d/when-you-want-to-succeed-as-bad-you-want-to-breathe-you-will-be/) [Austin:D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-d/) > [I want to succeed so bad, but I understand how to sacrifice for the team. My dad always says, 'If you're not getting better,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-oubre-jr/i-want-to-succeed-so-bad-but-i-understand-how-to-sacrifice-for-the/) [Kelly Oubre, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-oubre-jr/) > [When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-want-to-succeed-as-bad-as-you-want-to-breathe-then-you-ll-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Barbara De Angelis > [When you make a commitment to a relationship, you invest your attention and energy in it more profoundly because you now experience ownership of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/when-you-make-a-commitment-to-a-relationship-you-invest-your/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [no job is a good job if it isn't good for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/no-job-is-a-good-job-if-it-isn-t-good-for-you/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [The more connections you and your lover make, not just between your bodies, but between your minds, your hearts, and your souls, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/the-more-connections-you-and-your-lover-make-not-just-between-your/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [It takes a lot of courage to be the same person on the outside that you are on the inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/it-takes-a-lot-of-courage-to-be-the-same-person-on-the-outside-that/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/no-one-is-in-control-of-your-happiness-but-you-therefore-you-have-the/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [All relationships are your mirrors and all people are your teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/all-relationships-are-your-mirrors-and-all-people-are-your-teachers/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [If your day is full of little mean, dark thoughts, is it any wonder you feel crabby? Maybe it's because you let your mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/if-your-day-is-full-of-little-mean-dark-thoughts-is-it-any-wonder-you/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It's a choice you make -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/the-real-act-of-marriage-takes-place-in-the-heart-not-in-the-ballroom/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [It is easy to be mindless in America, because dreaming of and living for a better tomorrow is the American way. ... The problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/it-is-easy-to-be-mindless-in-america-because-dreaming-of-and-living/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [Temporary feelings of regret are a normal part of the mourning process. This helps us retrieve our lost dreams. If we hold on to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/temporary-feelings-of-regret-are-a-normal-part-of-the-mourning/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [At the end of our time on earth, if we have lived fully, we will not be able to say, 'I was always happy.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/at-the-end-of-our-time-on-earth-if-we-have-lived-fully-we-will-not-be/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [Love and kindness are never wasted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/love-and-kindness-are-never-wasted/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [I invite people to examine their lives without negativity, knowing that it's scary, but that not doing it is even scarier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/i-invite-people-to-examine-their-lives-without-negativity-knowing/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back. The heart will break... but broken live on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/you-never-lose-by-loving-you-always-lose-by-holding-back-the-heart/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [Difficult times always create opportunities for you to experience more love in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/difficult-times-always-create-opportunities-for-you-to-experience/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) [Explore all 75 Barbara De Angelis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) ## More Inspirational quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/) [H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/) > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-want-to-build-a-ship-don-t-drum-up-the-men-to-gather-wood/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) [Browse all 114,561 Inspirational quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To succeed, you have to do something and be very bad at it for a while. 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