We recently connected with Amelia Sofjan and have shared our conversation below.
Amelia, thanks for taking the time to share your lessons with our community today. So, let’s jump right in – one of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. Where does your self-discipline come from?
My mom. Growing up, she never pressured me to get straight A’s or be the best in the class. Instead, she taught me to take pride in doing my best, no matter how big or small the task. Whether it was a simple homework assignment or a major project, she always asked, “Is that the best you can do?” If the answer was yes, I could rest. If it was no, she encouraged me to try again.
That standard—doing my personal best—was never about comparison or perfection. Because of that, I rarely felt academic pressure or performance anxiety. I knew that giving my full effort was what truly mattered. Over time, this mindset became second nature. Today, people often describe me as someone who gives 100% in everything I choose to take on. I either go all in—or not at all.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I wear many hats in my work, but at the heart of it all, I’m a Guide at Masterpiece: An Acton Academy, a learner-driven school for children ages 4 to 11 in Pearland. Alongside my incredible team, I help inspire, equip, and connect young learners as they embark on a Hero’s Journey—a path of discovery, growth, and purpose.
At Masterpiece, we inspire children to become who they’re meant to be and to strive for excellence in all they do. We equip them with powerful tools, frameworks, and recipes to help them think critically and master any subject. Most importantly, we connect them to one another, building a close-knit community grounded in mutual promises, respect, and shared responsibility.
What excites me most about being a Guide is watching children take full ownership of their education—and their lives. I get to witness young learners setting SMART goals, failing, trying again, and growing stronger with each step. I’ve seen them work through difficult conflicts at the Peace Table, persevere through tough academic challenges, and navigate the ups and downs of friendship with courage and grace.
What makes our work truly special is that we Guides are also on our own Hero’s Journey. We’re constantly learning, growing, and being stretched by the very children we serve. They remind us daily that children are far more capable than we imagine—and that with the right environment, they can soar.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Faith. Perseverance. Strong work ethic.
1. Faith
Lean into your faith—whatever that looks like for you. For me, it meant placing my trust fully in the Lord, who gave me both the vision and the courage to open my school. That faith carried me through some of the darkest valleys, when things felt impossible or hopeless. Believing in a higher power helped me stay grounded and reminded me that I wasn’t alone. When life feels out of your control, ask yourself—who or what are you putting your trust in? Build from that answer.
2. Perseverance
Start with your mindset. One book that may help with this is Mindset by Carol Dweck—it teaches the power of believing that you will grow through effort and struggle. It may also help to read biographies of heroes you admire. Chances are, they persevered. Then, practice. Whether it’s fixing something you’ve never fixed before, sticking to a demanding workout plan, breaking a stubborn habit, or living in a country where you don’t speak the language—seek out situations that stretch you. Set hard goals and achieve them. Do whatever it takes.
3. Strong Work Ethic
Surround yourself with people who work hard and take pride in doing things well. Seek out challenging opportunities that require real effort and follow through. A strong work ethic grows when you consistently show up, even when it’s inconvenient. And don’t forget to celebrate your effort—rewarding yourself reinforces that hard work has value. Also, find an accountability partner who pushes you and helps you stay the course when motivation runs low. A vision without hard work is a vision that will never come to fruition.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was give me real-life opportunities to develop the traits that have defined my journey: faith, perseverance, and a strong work ethic. They didn’t shield me from struggle or try to make things easy—instead, they trusted me to face challenges on my own and figure things out.
When we immigrated to the United States from Indonesia, I had to learn a new language by myself, figure out how to make new friends, and work harder than ever just to keep up. Later, in college, they trusted me to live abroad in Spain for six months—with no help in planning or logistics. I had to secure my own visa, find housing, use my savings for living expenses, and book all my travel. Their hands-off approach wasn’t neglect—it was trust. And that trust gave me the confidence to navigate the unknown and solve problems, even when things were hard.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.masterpieceacademy.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterpieceacton/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/masterpieceacton/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/masterpiece-an-acton-academy-pearland
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
