September 12, 2022
Learning as a Lifelong Journey:
Being Your Leader, Overcoming Your Fears, Succeeding in Your Career
Amanda Marie Mottola
Aviva Publishing (2022)
ISBN: 978-1-63618-173-8
New Book Explores How to Overcome Fears of Past to Lead in the Future
Amanda Mottola’s new book Learning as a Lifelong Journey: Being Your Leader, Overcoming Your Fears, Succeeding in Your Career is a personal development book that draws on the experiences of its author as well as other sources to provide life lessons we can all benefit from.
Amanda has had her share of struggles to overcome and learn from in her life, beginning with being born in Paraguay during a dictatorship shortly before a military coup. Her birth mother had her while a teenager and gave her up, leading to her being adopted by American parents who raised her in the United States. Amanda grew up loved and cared for, but constantly questioning her identity and trying to fit in. In time, she went in search of her roots and reconnected with her biological family, a story she shares in these pages.
While we all may not have such intriguing stories, Amanda’s ultimate goal is to show us that no matter what experiences we have or obstacles we may face, and regardless of our past, race, language, religion, or gender, we can take charge of our lives, becoming our own leaders and succeeding in our lives and careers.
Part of Amanda’s journey to become wiser, happier, and more successful was learning to appreciate what she has. Every year, Amanda’s parents celebrated Gotcha Day, which honors the day a child is adopted. Amanda knows not every child is as lucky as her, and even those who are adopted do not always have the best situations, so she appreciates the benefits she received of having a loving family while she grew up in Connecticut.
Amanda’s parents didn’t just give her things, though. She learned plenty of lessons the hard way. For example, when she wanted a cell phone, her father told her she would have to get a job to earn the money to buy one. She was not thrilled with this idea, but she went out and found a job, and in the end, not only did she get her cell phone, but she appreciated it more because she had earned it.
Amanda has also learned to appreciate the sacrifices others make so she can have a better life. Included among those sacrifices are those of veterans like her grandfather and brother who help to keep the peace and protect our freedoms. She continually reminds herself that she could be in South America struggling to survive instead. Having visited Paraguay and seen first-hand the less-than-desirable conditions many live in, she understands she has much to be grateful for and she has been given blessings she needs to take advantage of to help others.
Grateful for what she has, Amanda has sought in many ways to make a difference in the world. She was inspired to run for her local schoolboard even though she didn’t have children and wasn’t well known in the community. Not only did she win the election, but she believes she is the first Paraguayan-born American to be elected to a political office. While Amanda finds joy in giving back, she also cautions that we need to give back not out of a sense of obligation but in ways that bring us joy. That is the best way to share our gifts fully.
As a mother, Amanda has also learned many lessons, from the value of family time to the importance of patience. She offers tips on parenting, as well as some entertaining stories about her parenting experiences. She also knows the value of maintaining a good relationship with your spouse even when a romantic getaway turns into a wet hiking nightmare.
Numerous other stories and themes are covered in Learning as a Lifelong Journey. Amanda includes chapters on how to overcome insecurities, how to become a leader, the importance of taking risks, owning your mistakes, feeding your entrepreneurial spirit, challenging the status quo, and empowering your soul. Each chapter ends with a few exercise questions to help people reflect on the chapter they just read and how it applies to them. Then they can determine how to make any necessary changes to help further their own goals and dreams.
Ultimately, Amanda’s message is to find the courage to create the life you want and not let anything stand in your way. Not surprisingly, then, her final section is titled, “Entering the Future Like a Boss.” But her message goes beyond helping ourselves succeed to reminding us that as we rise, we need to send the elevator down to help other people to achieve their dreams.
Learning as a Lifelong Journey will entertain you while teaching you compassion, increasing your confidence, and ultimately leaving you inspired to pursue your dreams and see every day as a gift.
For more information about Amanda Mottola and Learning as a Lifelong Journey, visit www.AmandaMottola.com.
— Tyler R. Tichelaar, PhD and award-winning author of Narrow Lives and The Best Place
