Powerful Women Interview: Charlotte Adams Opens Up About Her Harmonious Philosophy Toward Music and Life
As part of my Powerful Women Interview Series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Charlotte Adams, a guitar instructor, music educator, and author.
From guiding students to unleash their musical creativity to nurturing her own passions for horses and personal growth, Charlotte Adams embodies the limitless potential she inspires in others. As the founder of Limitless Guitar and author of several books and resources, Adams has carved out a fulfilling career teaching guitar online and coaching musicians to overcome mental blocks through cultivating positive thoughts and practice habits.
In this candid interview, Adams shares the journey that led her to this rewarding work, the philosophy that drives her approach, and the dreams she harbors for spreading more joy through music and learning.
Thank you so much for connecting with me and sharing your story. I’m so excited to get started!
Me, too! Thanks for having me!
Tell me about what you do professionally:
I teach one-on-one guitar lessons online and instruct musicians through my books, articles, videos, and podcasts. I coach people on ways they can lift the limits on their playing and performance by not only using the best practice methods, but also choosing and nurturing thoughts and emotions that support their goals.
How did you get into this?
Like many guitar teachers, I got hooked into teaching as a sideline to performing. But in order to stay excited about teaching, I had to go beyond being a tutor who would only disseminate specific information.
I quickly realized that the first step in expanding in that way was to discover and attend to the unique experiences and distinctive nature of each student. And, in the process of listening deeply to my students, I began giving myself permission to indulge my own distinctive nature! That freed me up to me to pursue my fascination with creativity and the learning process, sharing insights as they arose.
That is so interesting! What do you love about it?
The people! And I love getting to be creative while I’m guiding guitar players to do the same in their own way. There is no end to that creativity for any of us — it’s limitless, and so the name of my business!
Why is this work important to you?
It enables me to do the two things I’m most driven to do in life: helping others achieve their goals and actively pursuing personal evolution.
Clearly, you’re thriving; your passion is coming through loud and clear! What makes you so great at this?
I’ve been doing it intentionally for a long time! Becoming a good teacher is no different than becoming a good guitar player, or anything else you want to be good at. If you show up authentically, commit to a lot of conscious, intelligent practice, and stick with it, you will excel.
What is the most challenging part of your work?
It seems that everything we see in marketing and the media reflects a society that is extrinsically motivated and oriented toward rapid gratification. That’s really not the world of the musician. There are still plenty of people who, like me, want to engage deeply with learning and the arts — but it can be challenging for us to find each other in the current environment.
What kind of an impact are you hoping to make through what you do?
I want people to feel uplifted when they have a lesson, read my books, or visit my website. I want them to be happy with the music they make and feel optimistic about their potential. And I hope that through my work more people will understand and have confidence in the learning process.
I am a big reader — well, I am more of an audiobook person nowadays. In any case, I love talking about great reads. What is one of your favorite books?
Wow, that’s a tough one, because I love to read, too, and I have so many favorites! What springs to mind first for fiction, though, is the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. For non-fiction, You Are the Placebo by Dr. Joe Dispenza comes up.
If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Relax — everything’s going to be okay! That doesn’t mean things will always go the way you think you want them to, but, in the long run, they’ll go in your favor.
Do you have a favorite quote? What does it mean to you?
From the Dalai Lama: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” The meaning is pretty obvious — just be kind! It’s a good recipe for a joyful, loving, compassionate life.
Outside of work, what do you love doing? What lights you up?
Horses totally light me up! I love everything I do with my horses, and the list of “everything” is long. (Don’t get me started!) I love all animals — they are my teachers, my friends, and my happy-makers!
I believe there is power in having big dreams and audacious goals, and lately, I have been pushing myself and everyone I know to speak them out loud… Do you have any dreams or goals you want to go on record about here?
Although it may not seem like an audacious goal, I really just want more of the life I have. I’m living where I want to live, with the human and the animals I want to live with, and doing the work that nourishes me. I feel immensely grateful for every day and I’m looking forward to whatever naturally grows from it. So, my primary goal is…more please!
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Ok, now I for the big question of the interview! What is the biggest lesson you have learned through your life and career journey?
I think the biggest lesson is there is no one way that will work for everyone. We would all love to have an easy formula: do this, get that. In many ways learning works that way — there is a process, and it works. But to be the most effective and satisfying, that process must include consideration of an individual’s nature.
Finally, what makes you a powerful woman?
I think we’re all the most powerful when we come from the heart and stay true to our values. Fortunately, that comes naturally to me. Add in that I have an active and curious mind, so I’m constantly seeking information and making connections. I stay busy!
How can we support you?
Interact with me! Come to my website, connect with me through email or social media, tell your friends about my work and share your thoughts.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insights! I know our readers are going to love learning more about you!
Thank you — and I hope to learn more about them, as well!
Let’s Connect:
Website: limitless-guitar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/limitlessguitar.charlotteadams
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlotte_gtr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-adams-21654a29/
🌸 About the Author:
Natalie Ruiz is the CEO of AnswerConnect and often says that her path to success has been unconventional, which fuels her to continue to challenge assumptions about what work, success, and the concept of balance in life look like.
Natalie is an award-winning executive recognized as Female Executive of the Year and for Women Helping Women by the Stevie Award Association and a Woman of Influence by the Portland Business Journal.
Outside of her day job, she volunteers, speaks on international stages, lends her voice and words to podcasts and publications, and seeks to leave people and places better than she finds them in all that she does.
Connect with Natalie here: on Medium, on LinkedIn, and Instagram
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