It’s All Going to Work Out, By Guest Blogger Natasha Chughtai

I would like to introduce guest blogger, main television news anchor and one of my closest friends to Fortitude, Grin & Grow...Natasha Chughtai. As a public relations/advertising manager, I met Natasha while launching a new menu for one of the restaurants owned by the casino where I was employed. Natasha was an anchor at a local news stations, attended the launch party and we were fast friends. Since that day, we have laughed and cried together and had some FANTASTIC times. Natasha is one of the bravest, most positive, persistent people I know, and I am so blessed to have her as a friend. 

Kelly Heth & Natasha Chughtai
at Sturgis in Cedar Falls, Iowa

It’s All Going to Work Out
Guest Blogger - Natasha Chughtai

All my life I have been seeking adventure. I am in a career where I move every few years. I am amazed at the resilience I have. I was a shy child who never wanted to talk to anyone. My parents were so worried about me that they took me to a few Doctors to see why I was so afraid. In class I was the quiet one with few friends and very reserved. Now I am in a career where I travel the country alone and have to adjust to new people, situations and places a lot. When I look back on it all-I wouldn’t change a thing. But I would tell myself that everything is going to be okay-because it always works out in the end.

I remember when I first moved to Cedar Falls and I was sleeping on the floor of my duplex with no idea how I was going to get anything figured out. I was starting a new job, worried about making impressions and had zero friends. I missed my old life in Oregon so badly and I wanted nothing more than to go back there. Then just a few short months later, I had met some great people and was really enjoying my work. If you keep putting one foot in front of the other-life works out. You have to have faith and you have to believe in yourself.

People-actually complete strangers will come into your life just when you need them. Next thing you know they are helping you in all sorts of ways. Take the help and lean on them. They are true gifts from the Universe. As I get older I see that there are no accidents. That statement is so true. Go with the flow in your life and believe that it’s all going to work out in the end. Trust me it’s true.

Same thing happened in Alabama. I moved here and was so scared that I would never make any friends. I remember writing text messages to old friends saying that I should have never come here. I should have remembered my own advice. It always works out. Now I am 6 months in and I have a great group of friends here and I am meeting new people daily. You have to immerse yourself wherever you go. Do not sit home and feel sorry for yourself. I promised myself I would always say YES to invitations. I am willing to try new things. And be kind. Being kind and inquisitive of people will get you far. Be kind and offer to do things for people. Make sure it comes from your heart. Anything you give in this world will come back to you. Volunteer, make a child smile and do it all to widen your heart to love.

These are just a few things I have learned on the way and trust me-I am still learning.

Natasha Chughtai
WTVY
Evening Anchor

Young People Deserve More Credit

As I prepare for an evening of movies, games and snacks with my four favorite young people – my nieces and nephews, Trent (20), Travis (17), Halie (13) and Tristen (11) – I began to think about the messaging we hear about young people. The news, social media and television programming are filled with stories about entitled, coddled, disrespectful, and narcissistic young people. 

Judge Blasts ‘Gross Disrespect’ of Teen Suing Parents

Teens Arrested in Video Beating of Mentally Disabled Man

Teens ID'd in Cruel ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Prank

Sometimes peppered in the middle of these terrible stories we may hear about some exceptional young person that by some strange miracle broke the mold. I know plenty of young people who broke the media mold. Below are a few examples of young people who "broke the mold".

1. The first time the professor asked us to get a partner for in-class work my heart raced a little. What kid wants to be partnered with the “old lady” in class? Much to my surprise, students have asked me to be their partner every time.  
2. This semester, I took my very first online test. And, when I was unsure about the online testing a classmate offered to help me get the computer set up.  
3. Once upon a time, I had a graphing calculator, but I have no idea what happened to it. I have been holding back from purchasing a new calculator in hopes that my old calculator will miraculously appear. It hasn’t appeared yet, so I have been using a basic calculator for all of my assignments and tests. Last week, a student in my stats class offered to let me borrow her extra graphing calculator.  
4. The students in my classes have been great! They have talked to me about their projects, vented about tests and offered to help me with homework.  
5. My oldest nephew, Trent, randomly mowed my lawn. 
6. My nephew and niece, Travis and Tristen, helped my dad with projects around the house. When they were done, they stopped by my house for a random visit.
7. My niece, Halie, volunteered for multiple Muscular Dystrophy Association events, and spoke beautifully at each event about her struggles with Muscular Dystrophy. 

Sometimes, young people aren’t given the credit they deserve. 

Why do we put young people to a different standard than we put adults? I have met a number of young people and adults who could be described as entitled, coddled, disrespectful, narcissistic and impatient. However, it seems like we put more spotlight on the worst of the young people. Why? 

If you know a great young person or you are a great young person tell me! Shout their/your praises and share in the comments below. 

Don’t Judge & Hate. Empathize & Love

I have always worked hard to be an empathetic, open minded person. The kind of person to advocate for those in need and stick up for what is right. I would have been hurt, angry and offended to be called judgmental or lacking empathy. However, that is exactly what I was, judgmental.

I wasn’t the kind of person to judge the homeless person on the corner, other religious affiliations, races or cultures. I was the person who judged the jobless, the people on unemployment. I used to think people on long-term unemployment or the people who were jobless for more than six months were lazy. I couldn’t understand why they couldn’t find a job in six-months and I thought it had to be because they weren’t trying. Why would “they” work when “they” could get paid to stay home and not work?

It wasn’t until I was forced into that very situation that I realized how wrong I was. The first unemployment check I received shocked me into the realization that if I didn’t get a job immediately or have savings, then I would never survive this unemployment, because my monthly unemployment benefits were far from enough to pay my bills. I desperately wanted to find a job, so I knew with 100 percent certainty of my financial future. If the financial uncertainty of joblessness didn’t push me toward finding a job, then the treatment I received from the employees at the unemployment office sure would. The underpaid, overworked employees, who were used to dealing with the frightened, stressed out jobless completely lacked empathy. In every interaction, I was treated like an idiot trying to take advantage of the system. If only they understood, I would have done anything to not have to be on unemployment. As I sent resume after resume and went on interview after interview I realized that I am now the person I once judged so harshly.

I’ve learned a lot since I lost my job, but the lesson I am most proud and most ashamed to have learned is to never judge. It is so easy to form an opinion about a group, situation, etc., but until you are standing knee deep in it you have no idea. Remember to empathize and extend yourself to think beyond the first impression and judgment.

Don’t judge and hate. Empathize and love one another, and together we make a better community.

#Free$Friday, Can You Find It?

Thursday, October 9, under the cover of night, I have hidden the first of two hidden cash packages (each cash package contains $25). Once the first cash package is found, then the clues for the second hidden package will be announced.

The only thing I ask in return for the $25 is for you to take a photo of yourself with the money and post it on Twitter with the following message:

@hethkely I found the #Free$Friday $25 kellylheth.blogspot.com

If you do not have a Twitter account, please visit kellylheth.blogspot.com and post a message informing everyone that you found the #Free$Friday $25.

Clue number one:  Let's go for a stroll just U-N-I at the center lets stop. As we enter the doors, oh what a surprise, no books to be seen on this floor. Up the stairs to the stacks to my favorite industry reads the dollars are hidden with glee.

Happy Hunting!

The envelope containing the hidden money

Job Interviews are Like School Dances

These days, I have been going on a number of job interviews, and one thing I noticed is job interviews are a lot like middle school dances. You spend days and even weeks preparing for the big day - talking to friends, getting the dish on that special someone, picking out that perfect outfit and maybe even practicing your dancing skills. The night of the dance comes and it is time for all of your hard work and preparation to come to fruition. You walk into the dance looking fantastic, hoping that special someone will not only notice you but pick you.

Not everyone can be the queen of the dance and get her guy, but below are a few tips on how to prepare to make you unforgettable competition and make sure you get what you want.

1. Get to know the company:
1. Do your research! Research the company history, mission, brand values and products/services. The first thing I always do is read the company’s website and social media outlets, and then I move to a broader search of the market and competition. Like when you research that special someone, don’t forget to talk to your network. Sometimes your network has the best information, advice, and even insider information.     
2. Analyze the job and the company
1. Review the job description and what you have learned about the company to determine the top 10 assets, skills and experience you possess that line up with the company’s needs and wants.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice
1. Look up potential questions, prepare answers and practice. Ask your friends and family to help. For extra practice, every time I have an interview I ask friends and family to pretend they are interviewing me.    
4. Dress to impress
1. Be prepared. Look your best, dress professionally and bring copies of your resume and references.
5. Ask questions
1. The interview isn’t just about the company learning more about you. It is also an opportunity for you to learn about the company, its culture and the position. Remember, just like at a dance, just because someone wants you doesn’t mean you have to want them back. So, ask them questions and learn.
6. Thank you
1. Always remember to say thank you. This is a great opportunity to thank the company and interviewers for their time and to reiterate why you would be a great addition to their team. The thank you note is also a great time to discuss any topics that you would like to address.

Now that you have the tools for success, get out there, look your best, be prepared and grab that crown.

 

Hidden Money Gimmick: Does it work?

The first gimmick I would like to test is the hidden money gimmick. This gimmick has exploded over the last couple years, but does it work?

Below are a few examples of mircrobloggers using this tactic (one user is, right here, in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area):   

• Precieux Art Jewelers Has Hidden Treasure, $1,000 in actual cash
 
• Millionaire Hiding Envelopes with Cash Around San Francisco with Help of Twitter
 
• Twitter User Hides Cash Around DC

This week, I will hide $50 somewhere in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa area. Once the money is hidden, I will publish a blog post containing a clue to help you find the hidden money.

Check back often! Happy hunting!

Do Gimmicks Help Increase Page Views?

We have all heard of the microbloggers and bloggers who have gotten big attention by using gimmicks and giveaways. Do those gimmicks really help increase page views? If so, do they help with long term viewership?

Those are the big questions. So let’s give it a test. This October, along with my regular blog content, I plan to include a gimmick. Gimmicks include giveaways, hidden money, contests, celebrity posts, etc. Each week, I plan to post at least two posts. The first post will announce which gimmick I would like to try, and the second post will include where, what, when or how you can participate.

What is in it for me, you ask? The answer is simple. You get a chance to receive cash, prizes, knowledge and hopefully have some fun. What’s in it for me? I get to test a hypothesis, obtain some new insight, introduce my blog to a broader audience, and hopefully have some fun.       

So let’s get started. What gimmicks have you tried? Or, what gimmicks do you think I should try first?