I was invited to join the NZ Government's Better by Design US Study Tour 2012, a four day tour of the San Francisco Bay Area where "up to 25 New Zealand business leaders are exposed to best practice examples of international design thinking". The tour began officially last night over dinner at the Town Hall Restaurant, but mine began a week ago when Ian and I arrived in SF for some much-needed down time. Relax, re-energise, and No Work was our mantra. But paradoxically, when we're travelling or on holiday my brain goes into overdrive. Thinking about ethics and aesthetics, ideology and human behaviour, and how we create personal meaning from our experiences. So much for relaxing. As entrepreneurs we need amongst other things courage. The ability to face our fears and dance with them instead of becoming immobilised. These are tough, uncertain times and it isn't always easy. Ian and I were walking to Union Square and crossed paths with a tall, lean man walking with rare conviction. They say you can do anything in San Francisco except stare, but but my people-watching desire kicked in anyway because all this man was wearing was a hat and sunglasses. A city street full of people and one of them completely naked. My outright surprise was slowly superseded by a kind of admiration. I thought what enormous courage this person must have. Tomorrow we're off to Ideo and Google. Whatever this scary week holds in store I know I will embrace it with courage and enthusiasm. Best, Heather With courage and enthusiasm, but well-dressed? Just checking - Ed ;)