Singer and Songwriter Celeste Aldridge on Tackling Career Change With Confidence

  Celeste Aldridge began her music career at a time in life when some might say it couldn’t be done. After deciding that she wanted to sing Celtic music, Celeste began practicing incessantly, taking vocal lessons and learning from a mentor. In a relatively short time she began touring the tri-state area, recorded multiple CDs, and began writing her own music and recording it. Celeste was also the co-host of Songwriters Workshop TV and is currently the worship leader at the First Presbyterian Church in Milford, PA In this episode I ask Celeste what it takes to have the courage to go against the odds, start a new career path and go over the edge towards your dreams.      Celeste tells me about 3 things that were crucial to her success starting out with a new career Narrowing down what you love and what you are good at; your gift Connecting with a community who is already doing what you are gifted at; for her it meant going to open mike night and reaching out to other musicians Find a mentor; Look for someone who is skilled at doing what you want to do and learn from them, study under them and be willing to pay if you can’t find someone who will do it for free. For Celeste this meant taking voice lessons and learning from a skilled musician "Love what you are doing so much that you don’t get discouraged by the doubters" “If you don’t love it enough you won’t stick with it but that’s OK because then you can move on to finding what it is you truly love.” When you really love something you will make it work. “Shoot for the moon and you’ll land in the stars” Be willing to try new things, don’t be too quick to label yourself Be willing to start with a new goal or career but realize that you every time you start over you still need to put in the work to see the success you desire Celeste’s Daily Routine Morning tea, prayer and daily devotionals, practices singing and then goes on a walk  Celeste believes in the importance of daily routines and regular practice, she says that she does not believe she would be where she is now without her daily routine to keep her centered and focused as well as regular practice. Her favorite book that had an impact on her life: The Phantom Tollbooth How Does She Define Success Making every day count, living in the present moment and finding happiness in your work. Meeting your goals What does it take to push you Over The Edge          Going after your passion with force and feeling compelled to do it.  Listen to Celeste https://www.reverbnation.com/celestealdridge https://www.youtube.com/user/celestealdridge https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGGLK5H9FM6srOwiQ5bx11shK7sVcm4Yz