I’ve been a member of AAJA since 1996, taking part in the convention’s student project in Seattle (go Unity ’99!) as well as winning a few scholarships from this organization that aims to support Asian American and Pacific Islander journalists. It’s a brotherhood and sisterhood of people who are storytellers, and where I’ve found many mentors and mentored many kids.

For me it’s become a reunion of sorts. Yes I sound old, but a sign of age isn’t how you’re feeling, rather, you know you’re getting old when former interns and mentees are now working in big markets and guest speaking on workshop panels. I like to drop in on the AAJA convention’s student project VOICES to meet and greet these up-and-coming journalists who are currently bright-eyed, hopeful and energetic college students.

While going up the escalator at the convention hotel, I saw some young, unfamiliar faces. This new crop of journalists and aspiring journalists brought back memories of when I attended this conference as a student. While most of the flashbacks were fabulous, I recalled and re-felt the anxiety of going to a professional conference early in my journey.

As a student at the University of San Francisco, I remember doing everything in my power in hopes of becoming a bona fide journalist one day; I interned five times, emceed events, applied for scholarships — I even co-created JAMS (Journalism Association for Multicultural Students), a student group at USF. As a university instructor and mentor, I’m often asked to give advice. My No. 1 piece of advice is, “Don’t worry, boo.”

Again, Don’t worry so much!

As a student, I worried so much and wondered if I would ever get an internship. Check. I got five.

I worried if I would ever get paid to do what I love: reading, writing and talking. Check. I got my first TV reporting job in Wasusau, Wisc.

While in my small market, I worried whether I would ever make it to a bigger market. Check. I went to Fresno and then to San Francisco.

When I got to one of the top TV markets in America, I worried about what my next career move would be. Check. I got to co-host a show on PBS.

I worried so much back then. Only now when I look at old pictures, I realize that real success was in the moment. It was perfect when I made only $20k my first job. I met so many amazing people, told their stories and made life-long friends with people who took me in like family.

Sometimes I catch myself worrying what’s next. I started a nonprofit, Go Inspire Go. I search for everyday heroes so viewers can find the hero in themselves. I shot a pilot for a TV/web show with hopes of reaching a broader audience to share these stories.

While things are going well some days, on others I feel a little worrywart growing in my mind, I stop myself and realize that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. Be right here. Right now. The past and future don’t exist. I can only do so much… connect with production companies, network execs, send emails, etc. But I can’t worry about things that are out of my control.

While some of you may be tangled in the web of worry, untangle yourself. Make time to do things you enjoy. Be around people who bring you joy. That’s because if you trust and take action — you’ll gain traction… and wish that you had time to be with people you love and do the things outside of work that bring you joy.

The truth is you will never “arrive.” So keep going and enjoy the journey.

Veteran journalist brother/sisters what advice would you give your younger professional self? Let me know in the comments section.

Onward and upward,
Toan

Follow us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Join our movement & Go Inspire Go…

The post A Message to My Younger Pre-Professional Self appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

“You seem so passionate about what you’re doing with your life. How do you find your passion?” That is one of the biggest questions I’ve been asked during my career as a journalist, founder of Go Inspire Go and university instructor.

I have a woo-woo and practical answer. I’m part spiritual — I believe in trusting in God (some call Universe) but also taking action. Start by taking baby steps that lead to your big goal. Here’s what I came up with in a simple equation:

Trust + Action = TRACTION

In college, I would’ve never believed the trajectory in which my life unfolded. I definitely didn’t believe in the magic of positive thinking/believing. This happened through opportunities and people who have showed up to guide me.

When I was a student at the University of San Francisco, I wanted to be a TV reporter. I remember my old school journalism professor Michael Robertson asking my News Media class, “How many of you want to be TV reporters?”

Statistics show about two percent make it. I was an unlikely two percent. The odds seemed stacked against me. I didn’t have a big network of journalists, I wasn’t born into a family with any journalists and financially, we were poor.

I remember wondering if I would ever achieve my dreams — getting paid to be a TV reporter and host a show on PBS. Unclear about how I would hit my target, my gut told me to TRUST. I am spiritual and knew that I could trust God would use my life for a bigger purpose than serving myself. I knew that I would regret it if I didn’t try to tell peoples’ stories as a news reporter. I’d rather try and figure out that it wasn’t for me than not have the courage to take those baby steps. I said prayers, practiced gratitude and wrote down my goals.

I also applied ACTION. I interned five times at various production companies and local TV stations. I was in it to win it. I recall logging tapes for a whole semester during one of my internships, wondering how this would ever help me with my job as a TV reporter. It did — it helped me identify good soundbites while interviewing people on the street — a critical time-saving skill to have for breaking news situations.

Still not convinced? Here’s one thing you can do NOW to help you reframe your state of mind:

Instead of focusing on how a future job, beefy paycheck or status will make you happy, focus on what you can control. Keep up the hard work, network and be around people you want to be like (I joined the Asian American Journalists Association). Your experiences and hard work will add up to the sum of what you’re supposed to do. Here’s to you being part of that two percent too!

Follow us: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

The post This Equation Will Point the Way to Your Future Success appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

This inspired me to start a Go Inspire Go (GIG) blog series about happiness. GIG’s passion is helping you discover your power and then inspiring you to use it to help others. Finding your power starts with evaluating what makes you happy.

The collection of blogs will be written by me and other guest bloggers. If you missed the first installment check it out: Finding Your Happy Self. The second installment blog is written by Kathy Chow, the Executive Director of the Asian American Journalists Association. And please spread the happiness by adding a comment and sharing with your loved ones.   -Toan

I turned 40 in August 2012. Like many, I did a lot of introspective soul searching. What have I accomplished? What regrets did I have? Why haven’t I won the lottery?

After a quick life assessment, I concluded that I am living a blessed life, but I needed to focus more on the positive, happy moments and marinate in the joy of that feeling and less on the negative things that consume me.

I don’t want negative energy, people or experiences to rent space in my head anymore. Our lives are driven by deadlines filled with stress from the job, family dramas and the daily grind. What would happen if we made a conscious shift to be driven by purpose and passion, or for a year to be consciously happy? To be open to the idea that good things are meant for us all?

Accordingly, in December 2012, I invited three good friends to a holiday dinner. At the end of the meal, I distributed a gift to each of my friends. I handed out an empty mason jar and declared to those at the table, “This is our happiness jar!”

As each of my dear friends sat and wondered if I had drunk too much wine, I began to explain the purpose of this gift.

My wish for those who sat the table and for my next 40 years of life was very simple. Be happy.

“The goal for 2013 is to fill the jar with notes of happiness,” I said. “Every simple joy that makes you laugh or make you want to relive in your head over and over again, write it down and put it in the jar.

“In December of 2013, when we reconvene for another holiday dinner, as a group we will bring our jars and share some of the happy moments we have had in the year. And as the year progresses, and if you notice that your jar isn’t filling up with notes, it’s a good reminder that you need more happiness.”

How often when we have a cycle of good moments entering our lives do we start to get that little voice in the back of our head, “This isn’t going to last”? Why can’t we just live in the thought that this was meant for us? Why should we feel guilty or more importantly, doubt that happiness was meant to be flourishing in our lives?

My jar is filling with simple notes and items: A Safeway supermarket receipt where I got killer savings after using my coupons; a compliment during a date, and movie receipts that bring memories of spending time with friends I love. My hope is that your jar will overflow by the end of the year.

Happiness is a choice. Choose to be happy.

-Kathy Chow

Kathy Chow is the Executive Director of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). Prior to becoming the Executive Director for AAJA, Kathy was the Director of Hands On Sacramento, a volunteer action center that provides volunteer opportunities in three counties. She often is requested to speak and consult with companies on multicultural marketing, building and engaging a diverse workforce, and how to develop your personal brand. Kathy is certified by the Newspaper Association of America as a Diversity Facilitator, and has served on the advisory council for the National Corporate Volunteer Council and the National Hands On Schools Council for Hands On Network & Points of Light Institute.

Follow us on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube

The post How a Jar of Happiness Can Get You Out of a Pickle appeared first on Go Inspire Go.