In every pursuit, there comes a moment where something clicks—when you encounter a piece of art, a person, or an experience that speaks to you on a deeper, almost primal level. For John Coltrane, this moment came in his youth, growing up in North Carolina, when he felt a profound sense of being out of place. While his schoolmates engaged in carefree play, Coltrane immersed himself in deeper emotional and spiritual yearnings. He had a calling but did not yet know how to define it. This sense of difference and longing eventually led him to music, though it was initially a hobby. Little did he know that this passion, sparked by the sound of a saxophone, would evolve into one of the most influential careers in jazz history.
The Transformative Power of Inspiration
When it strikes, inspiration often changes the course of an individual’s life. For John Coltrane, that transformative spark came when he witnessed Charlie “Bird” Parker perform live. At this moment, Coltrane wasn’t merely listening to a performance; he was experiencing a profound emotional awakening. Parker’s saxophone wasn’t simply producing music; it became an extension of Parker’s very soul. It transcended notes, rhythms, and scales, delving into something deeper—something Coltrane could feel but not yet articulate. It was as if Parker’s music spoke a language that went beyond words, touching Coltrane’s spiritual and emotional yearnings.
Before this pivotal moment, Coltrane was already passionate about music. He played the saxophone, participated in his high school band, and explored jazz, but Parker’s performance revealed a new layer of possibility. The music Coltrane heard wasn’t just sound; it was a raw, unfiltered expression of emotion. He saw in Parker’s performance the potential to give voice to his internal struggles and longings, which had previously felt inexpressible. Parker’s music had a depth that resonated on a primal level, and this connection made the moment so profound for Coltrane. Music, in that instant, became not just an art but a language—a means of expression for everything he had been feeling and could not communicate.
This powerful moment of recognition did more than inspire admiration for a great musician—it catalyzed Coltrane’s realization that music could serve as a personal and spiritual outlet. Parker’s performance became a mirror for Coltrane, reflecting his potential. It showed him that music wasn’t just about mastering an instrument; it was about harnessing it to convey something personal, deeply connected to the self. Coltrane’s path forward became clearer in that moment. He wasn’t just pursuing jazz as a career or hobby; he was about to dedicate himself to using music for his emotional and spiritual expression.
The transformative power of inspiration is more than just admiration for a skill—it is the ability to see something in another person’s work that reveals a potential path for one’s life. For Coltrane, Parker was not simply a hero but a model for channeling personal experience into artistry. Coltrane did not merely copy Parker; he internalized what Parker was communicating, and that inspiration led to Coltrane’s distinctive voice in the world of jazz.
Dedication to Mastery: The Coltrane Path
Mastery is not achieved by accident; it results from a profound commitment to the work itself. For Coltrane, pursuing mastery was not just about playing the saxophone well but about becoming one with the instrument. After seeing Parker perform, Coltrane’s relationship with music shifted. He no longer viewed his saxophone as just an instrument; it became a tool for self-expression, a way to delve into the deepest parts of his being and give voice to his inner experiences. This shift in perception drove Coltrane to dedicate himself to practicing with a religious fervor.
Where many musicians might have spent a few hours a day practicing, Coltrane spent endless hours perfecting his craft. His practice sessions weren’t about mindlessly running through scales or exercises; they were about pushing the limits of what he could do with the saxophone. He practiced not only to become technically proficient but also to gain access to a level of emotional depth that would allow him to communicate his innermost thoughts and feelings through his music. He would practice for hours on end, sometimes up to twelve hours a day, seeking to break through the technical barriers that might limit the expression of his emotional world.
The commitment Coltrane displayed was not simply a matter of doing something for long periods. It was about the intensity of his devotion to the saxophone. Coltrane didn’t just want to play jazz—he wanted to reshape it. His work was about pushing the boundaries of what was possible in jazz and, in doing so, redefining the genre itself. A deeper purpose drove his desire to master the saxophone: to communicate something personal and profound. He didn’t just want to impress others with his technical ability; he wanted to convey emotion, to speak the truth of his experiences through his music.
Mastery requires a level of dedication that goes beyond ordinary practice. Coltrane’s path demonstrates that to truly master something, you must dedicate yourself to it wholeheartedly. This commitment is not merely about perfecting technique; it is about immersing yourself in the work, letting it become part of who you are. Coltrane’s intense work ethic is a testament to true mastery requiring sacrifice, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth. His passion for jazz, for his saxophone, and for expressing his inner world was what made him one of the most innovative and revered musicians in history.
Discover Your Calling: The Life’s Task
Finding your life’s task—the work that speaks to you on a fundamental level—is not instantaneous. It’s a journey of self-discovery, and it often takes time to recognize what truly resonates with your soul. For Coltrane, his calling wasn’t clear from the outset. It took years of exploration, experimentation, and inspiration before he realized that music was his life’s purpose. He didn’t wake up one day knowing he was meant to be a jazz legend. Instead, it was a gradual unfolding of his desires, talents, and the recognition that music was the medium through which he could express everything he had longed to articulate.
The process of discovering your calling is rarely straightforward. Often, it’s about following your instincts, experimenting, and remaining open to new possibilities. Coltrane didn’t immediately recognize that jazz was his life’s task. He spent time in various musical contexts, playing with big bands and experimenting with different jazz styles. But the encounter with Parker was the catalyst that focused Coltrane’s energy and attention on one thing—using his saxophone as a tool for personal and emotional expression.
To discover your calling, you must be willing to explore different avenues, take risks, and step into the unknown. You might find yourself drawn to a certain activity or field, but it’s not until you dive deeper into it that you realize it’s your true path. Like Coltrane, you might need to encounter a mentor, a hero, or a piece of work that lights the way forward. There’s no turning back once you discover what truly speaks to you. It becomes a task to which you devote your time, energy, and passion.
Finding your life’s task is more than just identifying what you’re good at; it’s about understanding what you’re meant to contribute to the world. It’s the intersection of your passions, talents, and desires. Coltrane found his calling in jazz, not because it was the easiest or most accessible path, but because it gave him the means to express his deepest emotions and spiritual experiences. Finding your life’s task aligns with who you are at your core and gives you a sense of purpose that transcends external expectations or rewards.
Daily Law: Analyze the Work that Moves You
Inspiration can often come from unexpected places, but it’s important to actively seek out those sources that resonate with you profoundly. Identifying the people whose work moves you allows you to better understand what you value and what drives you. Take the time to reflect on the figures—whether in art, music, literature, or business—whose work has left a lasting impression on you. What is it about their approach that speaks to you? What can you learn from their journey?
For Coltrane, his inspiration didn’t come from a place of imitation but of deep admiration and analysis. He studied Parker’s music—not just for its technical mastery but for its emotional depth and rawness. Coltrane sought to understand how Parker could channel such personal experiences and emotions into his music. This analysis allowed Coltrane to break free from the idea of simply mimicking another’s style and instead gave him permission to find his own voice within the world of jazz. By understanding what inspired him about Parker’s music, Coltrane could internalize those lessons and apply them to his own creative process.
Similarly, you can analyze the work of those who inspire you to uncover patterns, philosophies, or methods that resonate with your own aspirations. What can you learn from their mistakes and successes? How do their experiences align with your own personal goals? This practice of analysis can lead to a deeper understanding of your own journey, offering valuable insights into the steps you need to take to achieve your own version of mastery.
Heroes are not just icons to admire from afar—they are models to study, learn from, and use as beacons along your path. By analyzing their work, you gain clarity on what truly moves you and can apply those insights to your own creative endeavors. Coltrane didn’t merely admire Parker from a distance; he absorbed Parker’s artistry, learned from it, and allowed it to influence his own work. In doing so, he transformed his admiration into action, ultimately carving out his own distinctive place in the world of jazz.
By reflecting on the work that moves you and understanding why it resonates, you open yourself up to the potential for personal growth and transformation. Your heroes become more than just sources of inspiration—they become integral to your own development, showing you what is possible and encouraging you to push the boundaries of your own potential.
Personal Reflection: Find Inspiration From Your Heroes
Daily Law: Are there people whose work affects you in a powerful way? Analyze this and use them as models.
From Mastery, I: Discover Your Calling—The Life’s Task
I began reading John Grisham’s books in school. I am still going through his bibliography, as I realized he has practically written one book a year since 1989. I like his writing style and consistency—the traits I admire in other writers like Stephen King and James Patterson.
In my professional life, there are many people I look up to for inspiration. One of my early influences was a friend I met in Toastmasters, Sunil Nair. I modeled myself after him as a speaker and leader. I like the way he thinks and keeps things simple. He analyzes situations with clarity and objectivity.
I learned a lot from Sunil and another friend, Sameep, over coffee and lunchtime discussions. Another one of my influences is another Toastmasters friend of mine named Abbas. He came into my life when I didn’t realize I was losing the plot and focusing on the wrong things.
In my personal life, I admire my father, my grandfather, and my father’s maternal uncle for their handling of the family and the respect they command from all family members.
Conclusion
Inspiration can shape the course of our lives, guiding us toward discovering our true calling and pushing us to achieve mastery in ways we never imagined. Just as John Coltrane found his purpose through the profound influence of Charlie Parker, we too can draw inspiration from those who move us—whether through their artistry, dedication, or the way they express their unique truths. The key is not to simply admire these figures from afar but to learn from them, analyze their work, and allow their example to fuel our journey.
Like Coltrane’s dedication to the saxophone, mastery is not achieved overnight. It requires a deep, almost spiritual connection to our craft, a relentless commitment to growth, and an unwavering pursuit of personal expression. By finding our heroes and studying their paths, we can gain invaluable insights that guide us toward our life’s task, helping us uncover what truly resonates with our soul. So, as you look to the figures who inspire you, remember that their work is not just something to admire—it’s something to learn from and incorporate into your pursuit of mastery.
This article is a part of the Reflections on The Daily Laws Series based on Robert Greene’s book.