--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The whole point of working and practicing…" description: "\"The whole point of working and practicing your whole life is so that you're ready when that moment arrives; when the inspiration arrives, you are ready..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/john-mclaughlin-10405_inspiration_the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicin_824155.jpg" --- # The whole point of working and practicing your whole life… ![“The whole point of working and practicing your whole life is so that you're ready when that moment arrives; when the inspiration arrives, you are ready to be at the disposal of inspiration.” quote by John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/john-mclaughlin-10405_inspiration_the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicin_824155.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/john-mclaughlin-10405_inspiration_the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicin_824155.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/john-mclaughlin-10405_inspiration_the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicin_824155.jpg) > “The whole point of working and practicing your whole life is so that you're ready when that moment arrives; when the inspiration arrives, you are ready to be at the disposal of inspiration.” [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Continuous practice prepares you to seize moments of inspiration when they occur. **In simple terms:** Practice read you for inspiration. Key Takeaway Practice consistently to be ready. Themes practice preparation inspiration Mood motivational focused Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - sports - music - public speaking - emergency response Key Concepts psychology skill development Questions to Reflect On - What habits keep you prepared? - How do you stay alert for inspiration? A Different Perspective Readiness alone doesn't guarantee opportunity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arrives Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrives-inspiration-499501/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspiration Arrives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration-arrives-499499/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Life Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-ready-293700/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Musician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musician/) [Practicing Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practicing-life-499500/) [Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready/) [Ready Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready-moment-248926/) [That moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/that-moment/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) [Whole life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole-life/) ## Related quotes > [Living the abundant life is different than knowing about it. 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Don't beat yourself up if you're not ready.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-martin/you-ll-be-ready-for-this-change-when-you-re-ready-not-a-moment-before/) [Kelly Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-martin/) > [If you're not ready the moment things happen, then you're irrelevant, you might as well not go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-amos/if-you-re-not-ready-the-moment-things-happen-then-you-re-irrelevant/) [James F. Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-amos/) > [To hope means to be ready at every moment for that which is not yet born, and yet not become desperate if there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/to-hope-means-to-be-ready-at-every-moment-for-that-which-is-not-yet/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“There is no book you can read or friend you can talk to that will make you ready for the moment when they place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-oak/there-is-no-book-you-can-read-or-friend-you-can-talk-to-that-will/) [Sophie Oak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-oak/) > [I'm not even sure that any of us are ever ready for anything. We can be ripe, or over-ready, but what is that moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-riseborough/i-m-not-even-sure-that-any-of-us-are-ever-ready-for-anything-we-can/) [Andrea Riseborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-riseborough/) > [You never know you're ready until you're in that moment so in myself I am confident and if I am called upon I'd be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-ramsdale/you-never-know-you-re-ready-until-you-re-in-that-moment-so-in-myself/) [Aaron Ramsdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-ramsdale/) > [“Be ready for every moment, you don’t know which check is the checkmate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/be-ready-for-every-moment-you-don-t-know-which-check-is-the-checkmate/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [You just have to be ready in the moment, and you have to live in the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mason/you-just-have-to-be-ready-in-the-moment-and-you-have-to-live-in-the/) [Ryan Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mason/) > [As an athlete, when you least expect it, you may find yourself standing on the threshold of an accomplishment so monumental that it strikes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bingham/as-an-athlete-when-you-least-expect-it-you-may-find-yourself-standing/) [John Bingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bingham/) > [“The important thing is this: to be ready at any moment to sacrifice what you are for what you could become.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-important-thing-is-this-to-be-ready-at-any-moment-to-sacrifice/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [It's like the Boy Scouts' motto, be prepared. You've got to be ready when the moment is offered. If you're not, you can actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-hawthorne/it-s-like-the-boy-scouts-motto-be-prepared-you-ve-got-to-be-ready/) [Nigel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-hawthorne/) > [I think it is important to grab the moment and be ready when the opportunity is in front of you, but people may not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-leung/i-think-it-is-important-to-grab-the-moment-and-be-ready-when-the/) [Alvin Leung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-leung/) ## More by John McLaughlin > [Every day, I discover something utterly unbelievable when I play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/every-day-i-discover-something-utterly-unbelievable-when-i-play/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Interplay and interaction are the integral parts of music - they're as important as the notes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/interplay-and-interaction-are-the-integral-parts-of-music-they-re-as/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Music is closer to poetry than anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/music-is-closer-to-poetry-than-anything/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Miles Davis himself, I discovered him when I was 15, and he rocked my world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/miles-davis-himself-i-discovered-him-when-i-was-15-and-he-rocked-my/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [One of the advantages of playing in a club is that even with bass and drums, the atmosphere remains intimate with the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/one-of-the-advantages-of-playing-in-a-club-is-that-even-with-bass-and/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [In a certain sense, these were lessons I learned by playing with Indian musicians. The rhythmic forms that they use are very complex, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/in-a-certain-sense-these-were-lessons-i-learned-by-playing-with/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [The day I stop making music would be the day I keel over, really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/the-day-i-stop-making-music-would-be-the-day-i-keel-over-really/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [The Beatles, they brought a whole new dimension to pop music. Of course, the psychedelic period is much more interesting to me, starting with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/the-beatles-they-brought-a-whole-new-dimension-to-pop-music-of-course/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Absolutely, all guitars are different. You can go into a store and grab five guitars, all the same model, and even though they look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/absolutely-all-guitars-are-different-you-can-go-into-a-store-and-grab/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [To pay attention to flattery or criticism is a waste of time for artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/to-pay-attention-to-flattery-or-criticism-is-a-waste-of-time-for/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [The mathematics of rhythm are universal. They don't belong to any particular culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/the-mathematics-of-rhythm-are-universal-they-don-t-belong-to-any/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [I practice all the scales. Everyone should know lots of scales. Actually, I feel there are only scales. What is a chord, if not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/i-practice-all-the-scales-everyone-should-know-lots-of-scales/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Music speaks from spirit to spirit and in that sense you could call it a true spiritual language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/music-speaks-from-spirit-to-spirit-and-in-that-sense-you-could-call/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/only-in-spontaneity-can-we-be-who-we-truly-are/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [I was dealing with a lot of spiritual questions like "Who am I?" "What is God" "What is the meaning of life?" All of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/i-was-dealing-with-a-lot-of-spiritual-questions-like-who-am-i-what-is/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) [Explore all 66 John McLaughlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) ## More Inspiration quotes > [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'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/) > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [“Success is for a man whose stories of sruggles and chalenges are inspirations to and up coming generation..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelly-sanaba-c/success-is-for-a-man-whose-stories-of-sruggles-and-chalenges-are/) [Nelly sanaba .c](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelly-sanaba-c/) > [Loving you is the best feeling have ever had, and you loving me is the greater gift I have..I will be brave, I wont…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fash/loving-you-is-the-best-feeling-have-ever-had-and-you-loving-me-is-the/) [Fash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fash/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [You make me feel brand new today. Even my day is full of trials and pain…Thanks for everything...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lantapi/you-make-me-feel-brand-new-today-even-my-day-is-full-of-trials-and/) [Richard Lantapi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lantapi/) > [I have learned that you can go anywhere you want to go and do anything you want to do and buy all the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c-2/i-have-learned-that-you-can-go-anywhere-you-want-to-go-and-do/) [C JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c-2/) > [Every human creates his own problems. Problems are ones private property and we shouldnt meddle into them self-initiatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-papian/every-human-creates-his-own-problems-problems-are-ones-private/) [Ruben Papian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-papian/) > [“Serve in the grace of strength within thy soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/serve-in-the-grace-of-strength-within-thy-soul/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Be proud of who you are & who you represent.You are unique, there is no other exactly like you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/be-proud-of-who-you-are-who-you-represent-you-are-unique-there-is-no/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [Have a Blast; Life wont last! Make the best of the journey before it is over!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-a-blast-life-wont-last-make-the-best-of-the-journey-before-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/) [Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/) > [“Complete - Yourself! Others may only enhance your completeness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lashauna-d-hinton/complete-yourself-others-may-only-enhance-your-completeness/) [Lashauna D. Hinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lashauna-d-hinton/) [Browse all 17,129 Inspiration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The whole point of working and practicing your whole life is so that you're ready when that moment arrives; when the inspiration arrives, you are ready to be at the disposal of inspiration.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John McLaughlin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicing-your-whole-life-is-so-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Inspiration" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicing-your-whole-life-is-so-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/john-mclaughlin-10405_inspiration_the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicin_824155.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/john-mclaughlin-10405_inspiration_the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicin_824155.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/john-mclaughlin-10405_inspiration_the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicin_824155.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The whole point of working and practicing your whole life is so that you're ready when that moment arrives…” — John McLaughlin", "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": "John McLaughlin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The whole point of working and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicing-your-whole-life-is-so-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/the-whole-point-of-working-and-practicing-your-whole-life-is-so-that/#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 } } ] } ```