1. Reflection – Whenever I have traveled in my years for work or personal, they hold space in my memory more vivid than anything else in my life. When these experiences have happened, it has always been to push my comfort zone and get me to become a better person. When I went to Mexico to film an elementary school, it was going to a country I have never been to, work with a team that I have never worked with, and yet it was scary but it was such a special experience, I will never forget it.

After they stole the photographers camera they took some selfies.

2. Perspective – When you travel not only out of the country but just to a different state, you can get a new perspective that you just can’t get anywhere else. When I worked with National Geographic Learning to film schools in Chicago, I got to meet young and older adults who have come from other countries to be in America. Their interviews and stories were from a perspective that I have never experienced. It was amazing and it gave me a different outlook on the world even in my country.

Over the shoulder of Joy interviewing Pui Tak teachers in a very unique library

3. Creative Reset – When you are looking for a new way to think or create things, look no further than travel. My travels to tradeshows throughout my years have brought me from Texas to Indianapolis to California and each has something in common, there is always something new. They are showing the latest, new ideas, fresh perspectives. It is a lot to take in but I would always sneak away from my booth to look at competitors and even companies in the industry but outside the market to get a creative reset. Come back with much more ideas than before and feeling refreshed and refocused.

Having fun with co-workers is also a good creative reset.

4. Storytelling – Going back to my experiences from the last 15 years, it included going to tradeshows, festivals, concerts, TED Talks headquarters, National Geographic headquarters, schools, recording studios, and even in the back of tour buses. You learn from people about their experiences through great stories that are for a laugh, with a purpose, or that changed their life. It is something that you remember and tells others. But with hearing from so many people, you get better at crafting your stories and in some instances, create new ones.

At TED Headquarters while I set-up for TED Speaker Lisa Bu