Personal Growth with Michael and Carolyn

At Loveworks, we believe that one of the ways that you can become one of the best versions of yourself is to focus on personal growth. We love curating things like books, music, organization, blog or resources that have encouraged your personal growth. 

Today, we are going to take a minute and share with you one of our favorite leadership lessons for students. 

M. WinterWonderland is a lesson where we surprise our students with an over-the-top experience with more inflatable characters than you can imagine, hot cocoa, and even snow.  The lesson focuses on a single image, the iceberg.  As we all know, it’s what lies below that makes all the difference, not just what you see on the surface.  It is not our talent that carries us in life but our character, which is who you are when no one is looking and making the right choices even when it’s hard.

C.  Be a Froot Loop In a World Full of Cheerios is one of our very colorful lessons where we challenge students to take a different approach to the problems we face.  Instead of complaining about it or just living with it to find solutions to not just the smallest problems but to tackle world problems. Students have what it takes to make an impact now, to be a leader because we know

real leaders don’t blend in, they stand out.

Liv Louise Amsrud: Worldwide Sailor

Liv grew up in America, but moved to her birth country, Norway, just after getting her BA degree in International Community Development in order to accept a position at a church in Bergen as a volunteer youth-worker and also worked within cosmetics, skin-care and catering. 

Liv worked for the next few years in various Educational Institutions where she finally earned her teaching degree while living with her husband and family on the E. Coast of Norway. 

In 2020, just before departure for her family’s sailing adventure, Liv finished her 2-yr Post-Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) with an emphasis in the two main subjects that her Bachelor specialized in: Religious Studies and Social Studies.

In Liv’s free time, she leads a mentoring group for teenage girls and together with a friend, started up a café/weekly social-gathering for young adults. 

Liv loves skiing, hiking, traveling, exploring cultures & languages. 

Together with her husband, they have 3 active boys (ages 7, 11 & 13) who love the outdoors! 

Livs says she is on the most epic family adventure yet, but our next major goal is to cross the Atlantic on our Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43ft sailboat! 

Adventurous Upbringing 

Liv is a dreamer with an international perspective, with a love for traveling abroad and learning about other cultures. Born in Norway and at the age two moved with her family to the suburbs outside Detroit, Michigan. Growing up she was always on a new adventure, whether with friends biking around their neighborhood and woods or with her family skiing, beach, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, or go karting.  

Initially a very shy child, even fearful at times, she was surrounded by adults who believed in her and gave her the opportunities she needed to come out of her shell.  During high school she participated in six month long mission trips to countries including Ecuador, Venezuela, Botswana, South Africa, India and Australia.  Over time she even stepped into a leadership role guiding a small group of fellow students.  These experiences stretched her and allowed her to step out of her comfort zone. 

Taking a Leap of Faith

In 2018, Liv and her family were living a regular life, working and attending school.  They were happy but had the urge to do something different.  On a Friday evening, Evan came home and said, “What do you think about sailing the world?”  Liv’s immediate response was, “When do we leave?”  That fateful Friday night in mid-August changed the course of their lives and led them to dreaming a dream that they would work diligently to make come true.  Over the next two years there were questions and some doubts but they had a gut feeling they were making the right choice for their family.  Understanding the importance of seeking wise counsel, they spoke with a select few they trust and who believed in them. They evaluated their priorities, values, and goals. They discussed how they would make it work financially, what boat would be best for them, diving into books, blogs, and online videos, they completed hands on courses, and took the time they needed to be prepared to set sail.  

Maintaining a routine

Since setting sail over a year ago now, they’ve faced challenges but they’ve continued to study and use their growing skills and resources to understand what may come their way. They found it extremely important to establish daily routines.  These normal routines create comradery and provide hope and stability with the unknown they may face each day. 

Liv’s Advice – Don’t let fear stand in your way

Don’t let it decide for you because if you have respect for the unknown, get to know what you want to do, it will kick fear to the side.  To do anything great you need to take risks.  You will find out what you are capable of.  

Be careful with whom and when you share your dreams.  Not everyone will be able to see it right away.  FInd someone you trust and who will encourage you.  Protect it and write it down.  If you can envision yourself doing it, you probably can!  

Live within your means, it may sound boring but if you save a little bit along the way then when an opportunity comes your way you can be ready to take it!

You can find Liv online at SailingELANE.com, Instagram, and a new Youtube Channel! 

Key Takeaways

• Don’t let fear stop you
• Never say not to an opportunity that will help you grow personally
• Always work your best

“A ship in harbor is safe — but that is not what ships are built for.” — John A. Shedd