In the last few years I have had the opportunity to increase my International travel. I have made a lot of travel mistakes, and learned a lot along the way. I am headed out the door here in 30 min, and decided to list out a few critical learnings along the way.

1. Pack light and right. Personally I am a fan of the carry on bag when it comes to International travel. You would be amazed how much you can get in a carry on bag if you pack the right way. Learn more about packing via Google Search, and here: http://goo.gl/a0y9
2. AT&T. I have a International Data plan with AT&T…it is a grandfathered in plan, so I can not help you with that part…but I call AT&T every time before I head overseas to confirm my account is still good so I dont get the crazy charges that come with International roaming. DO NOT assume, check your smartphone data plan. This will cost you a ton of money if you make a mistake.
3. Power. Charge all your devices and gear. I power up my laptop, all my phones and anything else I am traveling with. Also, make sure you have the right power adapters for the country you are traveling to, Google can help you here. And…this is important= the best $4 investment for me has been a 6 foot long extension cord with a built in 3 outlet. This allows me to have 1 power converter/adapter that plugs into the extension cord with 3 outlets for my stuff. Great for the 3 things to plug in, but also great because most hotels dont have power in the right spots…so you get 6 extra feet!
4. Weather. Check the weather! 
5. ID/Passport. It might feel a bit like a tourist, but I love my around the neck passport holder. Really helps me keep my passport, airline tickets, and sky miles gold cards for quick lounge access. 
6. TripIT. Go to TripIt.com and create an account. Awesome service for any traveler. I use the paid service, and love it.
7. In flight prep. Be prepared for the flight! Bring a blow up pillow, in ear headphones, and whatever else you need for comfort. Also, something I have learned is the comfort on the plane is critical…so I typically travel in sweats, or crazy comfortable clothes, then when the flight is near landing, I have a handy bag of clothes, toothbrush, hair stuff…and go to the bathroom, change close and clean up. This really helps because typically we are rolling off the flight and off to a meeting, no time to waste.
8. Backpack. Typically I unpack my messenger back and roll with the backpack. It holds more stuff, and is more comfortable to haul around.

Ok, out of time…I know there are a few more things, but I gotta get a move on. Off to Barcelona, Spain for the Mobile World Congress. Should be a great conference. Hope this helps.

johnotjen:

A look at the future of Starbucks including a logo mod http://www.starbucks.com/preview

This is my third year to kick off the year with 3 goal words. Again, I would like to thank Chris Brogan for the idea…it has really helped me  

• 2009 – Fun, Global, Leadership
• 2010 – Healthy, Flexable, Inspire
• 2011 – Faith, Focus, Intensity

Faith, Focus and Intensity.

Faith – I want to live a faith filled life, to step into the unknown and be comfortably uncomfortable. I desire to have the faith, that when Jesus asks me to drop everything and follow him I would say Yes…immediately. I want to lead my family with faith. I want to lead my team with faith. I want to follow leaders with faith. I want to give with faith. And most I want to walk in step with with Christ in faith. 

Focus – As God has blessed me in so many ways, it is very hard to sort through the good to find the great. Honestly, I am well passed the good to great…and am shifting to dropping the great for the best. I need great Focus this year to help me stay connected with the God’s best. I can not do all things, I can not be all things…I must Focus on what is God’s best and be in step and Focused!

Intensity – I am struggling for the right word here, but I think intensity is it. As I pray more focus comes in 2011, as I cut things and doing less, it is my prayer and desire to bring everything…100% to it. As I am focused on the best, I commit to bring the intensity needed and required.