--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't complain about not getting a chance…" description: "\"Don't complain about not getting a chance and then be unprepared when you finally do.\" — Joe Montana" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/joe-montana-16784_chance_don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chanc_2441640.png" --- # Don't complain about not getting a chance and then be… ![“Don't complain about not getting a chance and then be unprepared when you finally do.” quote by Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/joe-montana-16784_chance_don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chanc_2441640.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/joe-montana-16784_chance_don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chanc_2441640.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/joe-montana-16784_chance_don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chanc_2441640.png) > “Don't complain about not getting a chance and then be unprepared when you finally do.” [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Opportunity requires preparation; blaming luck is futile without effort. **In simple terms:** Prepare, then seize chances. Key Takeaway Prepare before expecting chances. Themes preparation opportunity accountability Mood determined serious Type motivational practical When to use this quote - job interviews - sports events - project launches Key Concepts effort readiness performance Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to be ready? - How do you handle unexpected obstacles? A Different Perspective Preparation alone may not guarantee success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luck/) ## Related quotes > [In life, its rarely about getting a chance; its about taking a chance. You'll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markesa-yeager/in-life-its-rarely-about-getting-a-chance-its-about-taking-a-chance/) [Markesa Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markesa-yeager/) > [Luck is only important insofar as getting the chance to sell yourself at the right moment. After that, you've got to have talent and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sinatra/luck-is-only-important-insofar-as-getting-the-chance-to-sell-yourself/) [Frank Sinatra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sinatra/) > [Playing in America led to me getting a chance. Kicking around in the non-leagues I was going nowhere so I'm glad I did it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-murray/playing-in-america-led-to-me-getting-a-chance-kicking-around-in-the/) [Glenn Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-murray/) > [I would love to take another stab at really smart, speculative sci-fi - my first was a bit of a stumble. I look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karyn-kusama/i-would-love-to-take-another-stab-at-really-smart-speculative-sci-fi/) [Karyn Kusama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karyn-kusama/) > [I think some might see me as the underdog - always working hard, but just never getting a chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-kelly/i-think-some-might-see-me-as-the-underdog-always-working-hard-but/) [Kelly Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-kelly/) > [There's not enough Ice Cubes out there. There's not enough Ice Cubes getting a chance to do their thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/there-s-not-enough-ice-cubes-out-there-there-s-not-enough-ice-cubes/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) > [I feel like everyone who goes to The University of Texas is blessed and lucky to be there because they're getting a chance to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bean/i-feel-like-everyone-who-goes-to-the-university-of-texas-is-blessed/) [Alan Bean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bean/) > [As long as I'm out there and getting a chance to play, I expect to do well. No one is harder on themselves than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-gostkowski/as-long-as-i-m-out-there-and-getting-a-chance-to-play-i-expect-to-do/) [Stephen Gostkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-gostkowski/) > [People often remark that I'm pretty lucky. Luck is only important in so far as getting the chance to sell yourself at the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sinatra/people-often-remark-that-i-m-pretty-lucky-luck-is-only-important-in/) [Frank Sinatra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sinatra/) > [Obviously it is going to be tough when everyone else is getting their chance and you are out injured on the sidelines, but you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reece-james/obviously-it-is-going-to-be-tough-when-everyone-else-is-getting-their/) [Reece James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reece-james/) > [Of course, looking at other young players getting a chance gives you a boost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reece-james/of-course-looking-at-other-young-players-getting-a-chance-gives-you-a/) [Reece James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reece-james/) > [I think I am lucky enough to be getting this chance also that people want to know about me. I don't want to complain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/disha-patani/i-think-i-am-lucky-enough-to-be-getting-this-chance-also-that-people/) [Disha Patani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/disha-patani/) > [It is always a good thing that whoever is getting a chance in the playing XI has been performing well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhuvneshwar-kumar/it-is-always-a-good-thing-that-whoever-is-getting-a-chance-in-the/) [Bhuvneshwar Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhuvneshwar-kumar/) > [Luck is opportunity met by preparation - and to be prepared or unprepared is a personal choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-boortz/luck-is-opportunity-met-by-preparation-and-to-be-prepared-or/) [Neal Boortz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-boortz/) > [I don't think people ever were free of fear of death, but clinging to life and being so unprepared for it is a modern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-butler/i-don-t-think-people-ever-were-free-of-fear-of-death-but-clinging-to/) [Katy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-butler/) ## More by Joe Montana > [Some guys practice like all-Americans but they can't play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/some-guys-practice-like-all-americans-but-they-can-t-play/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [I have a fear of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/i-have-a-fear-of-failure/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [I don't live in the past. I just live in the enjoyment of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/i-don-t-live-in-the-past-i-just-live-in-the-enjoyment-of-the-game/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [There's no thrill like throwing a touchdown pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/there-s-no-thrill-like-throwing-a-touchdown-pass/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [I mean the game is just, everybody talks about baseball but I really think football probably has a little bit more American feeling than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/i-mean-the-game-is-just-everybody-talks-about-baseball-but-i-really/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [Any quarterback that understands what the offense is really about is going to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/any-quarterback-that-understands-what-the-offense-is-really-about-is/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [My back only bugs me when I sleep wrong. I feel my knee more than anything, the left one. It's arthritic. I have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/my-back-only-bugs-me-when-i-sleep-wrong-i-feel-my-knee-more-than/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [You need to be able to work with people. Especially in football, it is not a QB's game... even though the media likes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/you-need-to-be-able-to-work-with-people-especially-in-football-it-is/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [As a quarterback, you have to love it. As much as you like to turn around and hand the ball off - the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/as-a-quarterback-you-have-to-love-it-as-much-as-you-like-to-turn/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [Yeah, it's nice to look up to people, but the more you try to be somebody else, the less you are of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/yeah-it-s-nice-to-look-up-to-people-but-the-more-you-try-to-be/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [I don't watch a lot of the games on Sunday. But I always kept an eye on the 49ers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/i-don-t-watch-a-lot-of-the-games-on-sunday-but-i-always-kept-an-eye/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [Some people have no respect whether you are with your family or not. That's the hardest part. I was shopping in a grocery store…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/some-people-have-no-respect-whether-you-are-with-your-family-or-not/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [Confidence is a very fragile thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/confidence-is-a-very-fragile-thing/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [I really took the lead on putting together the real estate fund-to-funds. Real estate was always interesting to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/i-really-took-the-lead-on-putting-together-the-real-estate-fund-to/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) > [Yeah, I think it motivates you as people start to count you out. It doesn't make you play any harder, because every time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/yeah-i-think-it-motivates-you-as-people-start-to-count-you-out-it/) [Joe Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) [Explore all 39 Joe Montana quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/) ## More Chance quotes > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I understand it's promotion, but no one ever gave me a chance. No one ever thought I'd be the champ, and look where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stipe-miocic/i-understand-it-s-promotion-but-no-one-ever-gave-me-a-chance-no-one/) [Stipe Miocic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stipe-miocic/) > [I might, by chance, write something just as shoddy; But then I wouldn't show it to everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/i-might-by-chance-write-something-just-as-shoddy-but-then-i-wouldn-t/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I have heard that if you pull a bent breath through the second hole of a harmonica tuned to the key of Georgia while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/i-have-heard-that-if-you-pull-a-bent-breath-through-the-second-hole/) [Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/) > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [Love changes people, for better or for worse. You could look at it as a chance for you to change. The best kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-changes-people-for-better-or-for-worse-you-could-look-at-it-as-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It's not who, it's when”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-taubas/it-s-not-who-it-s-when/) Alejandro Taubas > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I thought my first few jobs would just be off, off, off, off, off broadway. And by chance and how the world works, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-dorfman/i-thought-my-first-few-jobs-would-just-be-off-off-off-off-off/) [Tommy Dorfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-dorfman/) > [If you’re worrying about the past, you’ve got a good chance of screwing up the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-a-tullman/if-you-re-worrying-about-the-past-you-ve-got-a-good-chance-of/) [Howard A. Tullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-a-tullman/) > [To be successful, one must take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-stargell/to-be-successful-one-must-take-chances/) [Willie Stargell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-stargell/) [Browse all 12,460 Chance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't complain about not getting a chance and then be unprepared when you finally do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joe Montana" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chance-and-then-be-unprepared-when/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chance-and-then-be-unprepared-when/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/joe-montana-16784_chance_don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chanc_2441640.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/joe-montana-16784_chance_don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chanc_2441640.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/joe-montana-16784_chance_don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chanc_2441640.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Don't complain about not getting a chance and then be unprepared when you finally do.” — Joe Montana", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joe Montana", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-montana/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Don't complain about not getting a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chance-and-then-be-unprepared-when/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-montana/don-t-complain-about-not-getting-a-chance-and-then-be-unprepared-when/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```