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Stuck in a Moment: Good or Not?

Jorge Fusaro — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:51:36 +0000

What if “getting stuck” is not such a bad thing? We all get stuck in a moment–sooner or later–and often quite frequently. These moments could be crossroads in life, projects at work or school, or decisions involving other people. Perhaps you get stuck in deciding among the many choices at the supermarket or the video store. Or when tackling a crossword puzzle or trivia question. Or when making a moral or ethical decision.

People get stuck for a number of reasons, some more significant than others.

Unfortunately, getting stuck does not sit well with most people, especially leaders, managers, and over-achievers. It is seen as unproductive, ineffective, and undetermined. Many even choose to remain quietly stuck to avoid criticism from others.

Truth is, everyone gets stuck, quite frequently.

Popular wisdom urges people to get unstuck ASAP and get on with their lives. It cheers people with phrases like, “you can do it!” or “get on it!” However, popular wisdom rarely asks the question: Why am I stuck and what can I learn from this moment?

This question has everything to do with how you live your life and how you face moments when you get stuck. If you have a learning and humble attitude towards life you are more likely to find value and gain wisdom from these moments. If you rush through experiences or cover your least favorite moments with “denial,” “pride,” “stubbornness,” or “temporary distractions,” you will miss out, on all the wise lessons to learn from the moment.

The moment is not your enemy. Sometimes it’s good to be stuck there for a little while. Rushing to get out can rob you of the value of being stuck in that moment. Those are the times that will help you understand yourself better, shine light on your beliefs, and examine your actions and behaviors. I like to look at these moments as pit-stops in the journey of life.

Embrace the moments you get stuck in. Life happens in these moments.

Next time you get stuck, consider the following:

Think and reflect: Explore and learn more about yourself.
Rest: Refuel, refocus, renew your energy, and obtain clarity.
Pray: What is the divine purpose in and of this moment? What does God want to convey to me? “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God (through prayer), who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).”
Ask for help or accept the help of a friend or family member. We are human beings, created to help one another and not do everything on our own.
Journal your way through it. Keeping notes during and after help you translate the experience into wisdom and internalize it.

When I get stuck, I like to pray and ask God to give me the wisdom to know what got me here and what He is trying to teach me. I live my life with the assurance that God is in control of my life and His purpose(s) for my life are the best. I know that my life is “a work in progress” and the moments I get stuck-in are learning moments.

We are refined in the moments of life. Next time you feel stuck ask yourself: Why am I stuck and what can I learn from this moment?

The last verses of the classic U2 song, “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” remind us that moments come and go. Embrace the moments, but don’t let the moments rule over you.

“And if the night runs over
And if the day won’t last
And if your way should falter
Along the stony pass
It’s just a moment
This time will pass.”

-Bono U2, “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”
January 29, 2001

“It’s just a moment. This time will pass.”

If you are looking for more ideas and “how-to’s” on “getting unstuck,” visit Penelope Trunk’s recent post.

Servant Leadership

Jorge Fusaro — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:06:10 +0000

Earlier this week, I was talking with a friend about servant leadership and realized I haven’t written about it on my blog. Servant leadership is core to my philosophy of life, work, leadership, and ministry. I first heard about servant leadership at the Leadership Summit conferences years ago and discussed it much during my graduate studies at Fuller. Servant-leadership is particularly relevant to the work and ministry we are currently doing in Haiti.

A “servant-leader” and “servant leadership” are concepts coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, an essay he first published in 1970. In that essay, he wrote:

“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.“

“The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?“

We also see this concept lived out by Jesus. Jesus called his followers to be servants first. According to the Gospels, Jesus said:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:25-28; also Mark 10:42-45).”

In another example, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as a way to demonstrate how to serve each other (John 13: 12-15).

Question: How has serving others made you a better leader?

Haiti #2: The team and more photos from Port-Au-Prince

Jorge Fusaro — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:08:19 +0000

Many have asked about our team. I was part of a team of 17 people led by Pastor Jean Pierre Milleroy from (BBC) Beraca Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. BBC is a predominantly Haitian community with 800+ members. BBC has been serving and ministering in Haiti for many years. When the earthquake struck, they quickly responded.

I couldn’t have asked for a better group to go and serve in Haiti. I was the only white (Latino), non-Haitian, and non-Creole speaking member. Each and every one brought so much love and compassion to the mission. We were brought together in our desire to serve.

More photos from Haiti:

Cathedral Port-Au-Prince.

Aid, surveillance, or press.

Young woman waiting for her turn at the clinic.

Happy smiles!

Mothers and daughters leaving the clinic.

Tent city: waiting in line for food.

Edmond, team member.

Haiti #1: Back home safely and a photo preview

Jorge Fusaro — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:00:23 +0000

Excuse the cliché, but words are not enough to describe what we saw, what we did, and what needs to get done. Haitians refer to the earthquake as “the event” and I am starting to understand why. Events change us and I feel that deep within, what I saw, smelled, heard, touched, and tasted, has begun a change in me. Every trip—be it for pleasure, work, or mission—has the potential for incredible growth and change.

This is the first of several blog posts about my trip. I will be sharing stories, photos, and videos. As the team’s photographer, I was responsible to document our relief efforts and Haitian life after “the event.” We have all seen the terrible destruction, death, and chaos in the media. I felt that was an incomplete picture. I believed that in the midst of this brokenness and pain, there is joy, beauty, peace, and hope to be found. I am happy to report that was true for us.

I tried my best to capture the full range of emotions while honoring human dignity. Our hope in sharing the story is that you will better connect with the Haitian experience and be part in helping rebuild Haiti.

I am still processing images, but here is a quick preview. I will announce when photos are ready on Flickr and [maybe on] Facebook. On the next post, I will be introducing the wonderful team I served with under the leadership of Jean Pierre Mullery (Beraca Baptist Church: Brooklyn, NYC).

The team on the way to Leogane to setup the clinic.

Flore, one of the nurses

Joe and Ketlyan

Patients waiting for care at the clinic

Mother and daughter at the clinic

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The Heart of the Entrepreneur: to Undertake

Jorge Fusaro — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:14:23 +0000

Here is a concise and powerful definition on entrepreneurship. A couple of years back, I received an MBA brochure from the FW Olin’s School Graduate School of Business at Babson University in Boston, well-known for their strength in entrepreneurship. The brochure included the following definition:

“Entrepreneurship is, ‘A way of thinking and acting that is opportunity obsessed, holistic in approach, and leadership balanced: from the French entreprendre- [which means] ‘to undertake.’”

Building on this definition, here are seven more characteristics that come to mind when I think about entrepreneurship. Hopefully, it will help open our minds to more possibilities of “undertaking” any project, challenge, solution, or idea as we enter into 2010. Entrepreneurship is way of thinking and action that is:

Action-oriented and hands-on.
Visionary and mission-focused.
Not limited to business. You can undertake anything.
Intellectual and emotional. Intense and contemplative.
Creative, innovative, and daring.
At its best when opportunities are wisely researched and evaluated.
Holistic, integrating both personal and community resources to create more value.

Entrepreneurs find fulfillment when they undertake projects with passion and purpose.

What else would you add to this list?
What will you undertake in 2010?

Please share your comments in the section below. Thanks!

Be Ready to Step Into a New Decade

Jorge Fusaro — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:37:25 +0000

Ever since High School, December has been an introspective month where I usually spend most of my time reflecting on the past 11 months. I look at my work, family, relationships, community, faith, decisions/choices made, etc. Yet most of my time investment goes into taking a sincere look at myself. I revisit personal goals to see what worked and what did not. I take notes. Lots of them.

I don’t know about you, but 2009 has been unlike previous years. It’s one of those years that I’ll probably draw wisdom for the rest of my life.

In the weeks leading to New Year’s Eve, I start preparing for the new year in anticipation. I throw away paper, optimize my computers, donate old clothes, start setting the tax docs aside, clean the fridge, etc. I like to be ready for that 1st day of the year.

While going through this process, I obtain the clarity and certainty of the goals I want to tackle in 2010. I don’t cut corners here. I take the time I need to set the the goals I need.

Allow me to share some thoughts of why I think goals are important to success, in life as well as in business. Perhaps these characteristics will inspire you (or others) to write your own list of goals.

Goals are the road-map of life and business. Without goals it is almost impossible to make plans and strategies. Needless to say, achieve anything.
Goals are not just for you and about you. Your goals are most likely going to affect others along the way. That can be very useful when deciding what goals to include.
Goals are proactive measures for success. Goals get you where you want and need to go. They are very useful, especially when the going gets rough. And it will.
Goals separate the achievers from the wanderers. People who set goals accomplish more. Organizations with goals have a competitive advantage and a strategy to support the goals.
Goals can serve as milestones to determine progress along the way. Humans and organizations need check points and rewards. Milestones are great incentives to keep going.
Goals are like cheerleaders. Once achieved, they keep cheering us on to tackle the next one.
Goals are not just for leaders. They are for everybody: parents, leaders, businesses, markets, community groups, entrepreneurs, churches, teams, countries, etc. Any individual or group of people seeking to go somewhere, must take adequate time to set goals.
Goals are our friends. They keep us accountable with a clear purpose and sense of direction.
Goals help us choose our peers. It is a natural thing to find like-minded people with a similar set of goals. This is easier than ever with social networking sites.
Goals serve as the common language in organizations. Employees should believe in the goals, and be able to list and talk about them.

After many years, I’ve learned that goals can be a bit sneaky and play hard to get; or take a different form or stop making sense along the way. That is why I find it useful to write them down and look at them as much as I need to. Feel free to make edits along the way if you need to. You have to flexible in this day and age of rapid change.

We are entering a new decade. We can create anything in a ten-year span. We just need to set our hearts and minds in motion.

Are you ready?
Do you know what you want in 2010?
What are your goals?

Please share on the comment section below. Thanks!

What Matters Now: 70+ Ideas from Big Thinkers

Jorge Fusaro — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:56:50 +0000

Once again, raising the bar and pushing people to think out of the box, Seth Godin has gathered 70+ thinkers across all industries and asked them to share a big idea. These ideas are all packaged in a nicely designed eBook you can download for free (links at the end of this post). Few people can make this happen…talk about influence! Seth is the author of the best-sellers Purple Cow, Tribes and the upcoming-blockbuster (I think it’s going to be a hit!) Linchpin in January.

Perhaps you are familiar with some ideas in this eBook, but there is a lot of good thoughts to chew and digest. The awesomeness of this project is that everyone around the world can now be exposed to these ideas and the possibilities for change.

The thinkers who participated are some of the most innovative and bright minds in business today, but the ideas outlined are not limited to business. Consider it a primer on great thinkers, great ideas, and great hints to emerging trends in business and society today.

My favorite are:

Howard Mann raising important questions about Connectedness: “We walk the streets with our heads down staring into 3-inch screens while the world whisks by doing the same. And yet we’re convinced we are more connected to each other than ever before. Multi-tasking has become a badge of honor. I want to know why.”
John Wood (Room to Read) – “If you get education right, you get many things right: escape from poverty, better family health, and improved status of women.” Education can save the world.
Really liked how Dave Ramsey brought God into the equation (literally) with his formula: “FOCUSED INTENSITY over TIME multiplied by GOD equals Unstoppable Momentum.” “Lastly, you and I are finite, while GOD is infinite.”
Tim Sanders reminding us to give thanks continually: “Gratefulness is a muscle, not a feeling. You need to work it out daily.”

I can go on and on, but it is time to break for lunch. I will keep reading and share more thoughts later on. For now, download this remarkable eBook and make it yours.

Click here to read Seth’s blog introducing the book and here to download the PDF.

What idea resonates more with you and why?
Would you add another thinker to the group?

Please share in the comment section below. Thanks!

How to Become a Successful Networker

Jorge Fusaro — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:10:28 +0000

Unemployment is a tough reality of 2009. Job seekers, career movers, entrepreneurs, sales executives, and bloggers, among others, need to exercise their networking skills to be noticed.

Successful networkers take other people’s needs seriously. They know the value of giving and receiving. They are not afraid to give and receive nothing in return.

Successful networkers actively involve others. It is important to let your network know what company hired you, laid you off, and what type of job/business you are looking for. Let your network know how they can help. Don’t be afraid to ask for advise, feedback, and/or referrals.

Successful networkers inform proactively. Let your network know what you are doing professionally and what your core strengths are. Share your professional development with others, such as, the experiences you have recently accumulated and what you are currently learning. Share your notes or insights from a recent conference or seminar. Let your network know if you are considering, starting, or finishing grad-school or obtaining a professional certification. Keep them in the loop if taking up a new hobby or learning a new skill, such as cooking, dancing, or learning a new language.

Let your network know your contact info and when it’s best to get in touch with you. Be clear when communicating who you are and who you are not. What can you do for them? For their business? For their organization? Team? Community?

Emphasize what makes you truly unique and valuable!

In closing, invite your network into your life and make yourself available. And remember, next time you attend a networking event, put on your helper hat!

What have you found to be successful when networking? Please share on the comment section below. Thanks!

Learning from The Dancing Guy

Jorge Fusaro — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:13:06 +0000

A couple of months ago, I wrote an article, “Dare to Follow Your Heart.“ In this similar topic of overcoming your fears and daring to be different, I think the following video illustrates the power of being first or among the first. There is a lot to be said about being the first in life and in business. I think this short video may inspire others to be the first. Who knows, maybe you can start a movement! See what happens near the end of the video.

Guy #1 reminds me of George Carlin’s quote: “those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music.”

What did you first think about the dancing guy?
What did you feel while watching the video?
If you had been there, would you have been guy #1, guy #3, or #49?
Perhaps you would have remained sitting down doing nothing, pointing fingers, laughing, and/or criticizing. Ask yourself: why?

I like Seth Godin’s take on this: “My favorite part happens…when guy #3 joins the group. Before him, it was just a crazy dancing guy and then maybe one other crazy guy. But it’s guy #3 who made it a movement. Initiators are rare indeed, but it’s scary to be the leader. Guy #3 is rare too, but it’s a lot less scary and just as important. Guy #49 is irrelevant. No bravery points for being part of the mob. We need more guy #3s.”

Take away: Dare to dance! Move forward. Being the first—in anything—is always scary. Some people may understand and support. Others may not. Some people may think you are nuts, irrational, or foolish. A few will support you if you experience success.

Don’t let limiting beliefs about yourself or fears stop you from following your heart. Don’t let myths hold you back. Go ahead and dare.

Dare to live the life you want!

Gold Nuggets: Leadership Summit 2009 – Day 2/2

Jorge Fusaro — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:48:51 +0000

The best from the Leadership Summit – Day 2 below. If you missed my previous article (Gold Nuggets – Day 1), please click here to read it. To get all my notes from Day 1 and 2, email me.

The Leadership Summit, hosted by the Willow Creek Association, is the largest annual leadership event in the world.

*Scroll down for quotes from Bono and Tony Blair!*

David Gergen was my favorite guest of the day. Mr. Gergen is editor-at-large at U.S. News & World Report and political analyst for CNN and PBS, and has served as a White House adviser to four presidents; Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton. He is also a professor at Harvard’s School of Public Leadership.

=============

Thinking Forward: Third Culture Leadership
Dave Gibbons

“Third culture is the mindset and will to love, learn and serve in any culture, even in the midst of discomfort.”
“Obedience is more important than passion.”
“We often assess people based on their strengths. There’s more to people’s strengths… there’s their story. The most important thing is people’s story… do you have time to listen to them?”
“When we love those who are hard to love, hard to get close to, completely unlike us–people will notice. It’s completely abnormal. That’s our calling. What’s noticeable about being normal?”

Aid vs. Trade
Andrew Rugasira

Aid is not really aid: “Between 1970-2000, Africa received $400 Billion in aid from the US. Is it any better? No, in fact the GDP decreased when aid increased.”
Aid undermines accountability: “Aid creates chronic dependence. When they become dependent on outside help, they are resistant to receive help from the inside…from NGO’s.” “Real partnerships will create lasting community transformation.”

Leveraging Your Past
Wess Stafford

“If the pain in your life is fueled by someone in your past who hurt you, there’s one word you need to know: forgiveness.”
“If you hold grudges against people who have hurt you, then you are allowing them to live rent free in your heart and your mind.”
“What people have done to us in our past should not define us.”
“Forgiveness may not mean forgetting, or that it was okay, or release from consequences of actions, or reconciliation. Forgiveness does mean giving up the right for revenge.”

Eyewitness to Power
David Gergen (Interview with Bill Hybels)

“Not every reader is a leader…but every leader is a reader.”
Leaders can get so busy that they don’t reflect, journal, write, discuss, etc. “It’s easy to confuse motion with progress.” “The best leaders are the ones who think carefully about they want to accomplish, choose what they want to pursue, and actively pursue it with feedback along the way.”
“A teacher of leadership cannot make/produce leaders.” “…We need to influence and point to role models.”
“The day of the Lone Ranger as a leader are over. Leaders no longer need to be alone. “Leaders today get the best results when they have a great team around them.” “The world is too complex..the role of leadership is about inspiring your team AND other leaders/groups outside your team. We must learn to partner and collaborate. We must build things together.”
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Switch
Chip Heath and Dan Heath (Interview with Craig Groeschel)

“When dealing with problems, ignore the True But Useless info (TBUs) and focus on learning from what is working and replicating it.”
“Big problems are rarely changed through big solutions…rather, it needs to be a series of small solutions.”
“To accomplish meaningful change, you must be convinced that there is a goal worthy of the pain of changing.”
“Sometimes we may not have a person problem…we actually have a situation problem. We tend to attribute things to a person rather than to their situation.” “We need to think broadly about people’s situations. Good leaders have the gift of seeing people’s situations. Sculpting the path is part of creating change.”

Bono, the Church… Three Years Later (videocast)
Bono

“We referred to the Church as the sleeping giant. Now that she has awoken, we didn’t know she could run so fast.”
“It’s an offense to Christ or any concept of truth and justice that we aren’t reaching people in need.”
“Had the church not woken up on the issue of AIDS we would not have 2 million Africans on anti-viral drugs.”
“I have a fear of denominationalism. I have been equally comfortable and uncomfortable in different churches…I like to go where the life is…what I don’t like are churches where it is a lifeless ceremony.”
“When you make a sermon, people don’t want things to be too complicated, they want you to be honest. They want a spirit of humility.”
“There’s always resistance on the journey to equality.”

An Interview with Tony Blair (videocast)
Tony Blair (Interview with Jim Mellado)

“Conventional wisdom says ‘to do’ the comfortable thing. The problem is that the comfortable thing to do can often be the wrong thing to do.”
“Part of leadership is having an inner core, an irreducible core, the thing that cannot be chipped away at. You cannot yield on what is at your core. You have to do what you know is right, even if it’s not popular. Your job is to stand by what you think.”
“The process of doubting is right. But there comes a moment when you need to lay aside the fear that comes with doubt and you have to be willing to take the responsibility of decision making.” “There are 2 types of people: (1) those who just provide commentary and, (2) those who actually step out and decide and lead.”
“By counting your blessings you can endure pain and disappointment. Whatever pain and disappointment you accumulate, it cannot compare to the blessings you have. This isn’t to minimize the suffering in our lives…but what are we really complaining about.”
“Leadership is a blessing and is a gift that you have to bless others. It is your duty to do if you can do it. The way that the world around you works, without the leader things don’t get done. The sense of joy in getting something done is worth all the pain along the way.”

The Simple Things
Bill Hybels

Consider establishing a time and place where you will meet personally with God every day. Most leaders don’t do this because they are too busy. “Leaders need something fresh from God every day.”
Commit to reading good gooks for at least 30 minutes each day.
Review your replenishment strategy. “Instead of doing something big, maybe you should do something simple… decide if you are on a net gain or in depletion mode?”
Say yes to God without knowing what the question is.
Your life matters.
This isn’t the pre-game, this is THE game.

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