When we think about optimism, sometimes it's easy to think about having your head in the clouds, or living with rose-colored glasses on. 

Right now as we face down a global health crisis, it can be difficult to 1) see the good in anything and 2) be vocal about optimism when by and large most sources of information are negative, speculative or flat-out false. 

Vaney and Tamien break down the core concepts of optimism, talking about how optimism doesn't end with just having a positive thought, or hoping for the best. True and proactive optimism seeks out ways to influence or control the factors around us that we can change, and to put into perspective the things we can't. 

True optimism is an action and as Vaney says - nothing of significance happens without intention. 

What does it mean to actually spend time in your mind? 

Over the course of the last three years we have asked thousands of people this question, "how much time, in minutes, would you say you have spent intentionally getting to know the way your mind works, troubleshooting it, adjusting it, learning how you and your mind work and work best?" 

The answer is often astoundingly low. We'll spend hours working to understand the OS of our favorite device, phone, computer, program etc. - but the single greatest computer in the universe - our own mind - often goes over looked. 

To take and spend even just 20 minutes a week, in reflection, thought, breaking down some of the ways your mind works will help you double down on your strengths, develop self-awareness and get into your flow state. 

As always follow us @Think3DSolutions on all socials - www.letsthink3d.com for regular updates. 

Dan @ Think 3D

Culture and leadership are critical to any business and organization's success - now facing a global pandemic, many teams and businesses are looking to transition into remote work. 

How do businesses and teams continue to prioritize and promote an effective, sustainable and overall positive work culture that promotes leadership, communication and productivity throughout a massive upheaval all over the globe? 

Vaney, James Gaspar and Dan sit down to discuss. 

Being happy during hard times is difficult. But how happy should we be during hard times? What's the benefit of looking at a hard situation and choosing happiness? 

For one, perspective, for another - your happiness, your light, and your attitude during hard times helps guide others and lead them to a happier place. 

When we say a better you is better for everyone - this is exactly what we mean. 

Covid19, rocked all of our worlds. Listen to this LIVE broadcast from the Thinker Studio in the Think3D offices right before coronavirus truly changed all of our lives significantly. In this live video, we were talking about being present at home, throughout quarantine and social distancing. 

How do we continue to engage our loved ones, family members, friends and team mates throughout these times? What if our relationships, home lives, marriages weren't great to begin with? What do I do now that I'm forced to literally spend all my time around a spouse, partner, family member, parent, that I haven't really had a good relationship with? 

How do I draw boundaries between work and home life? More importantly - how do I do all of this and manage the stress of what's happening? 

Let's talk about it...

Another round of conversations highlighting some of the great practitioners and business leaders who will be leading courses this spring at the USD Center for Professional Development. 

This time we're sitting down with Joel Sylvester, of 5 Star Call Centers, who helps businesses and teams create and execute world-class customer service and experiences. 

In a marketplace where it's easy to replicate services and products, businesses must elevate culture and experience (internally and externally) in order to stand out. 

Joel, Vaney and Dan talk through why culture and experience are so crucial - and more importantly, how businesses and teams can build it! 

USD Center for Professional Development

Five Star Call Centers

@Think3DSolutions

LetsThink3D.Com

In this continuation of our conversation about the USD Center for Professional Development, we chat with Lisa Te Slaa, entrepreneur, leader and fellow instructor this spring at the USD CPD. 

What does leadership look like? Why is it so important to tackle, culture, personal development, leadership skills and communication and what impact do those things have on your business? 

Lisa is the founder and owner of Precision Leadership Group and will be teaching courses on leadership and productivity this spring with us at the USD Center for Professional Development. Check out her site below! 

Precision Leadership Group

USD Center for Professional Development

@Think3DSolutions

LetsThink3D.Com

We're back with part 2 of our conversation about the USD Center for Professional Development. Linda Halliburton joins us to talk about why this is such a big deal and how businesses and teams are going to benefit from these courses. 

Linda Halliburton is leading the Center for Professional Development and is passionate about education and business growth. We break down some of the inner workings of the center and start to highlight the specific course offerings coming up in the spring. 

USD Center for Professional Development website

@Think3DSolutions

LetsThink3D.Com

We're BACK, and rolling with another series of episodes. These first few episodes are part of a mini-series highlighting the recently updated USD Center for Professional Development. This center is a huge first step in delivering real-world skill development and professional development to individuals and teams who otherwise may not have access to this caliber of training. 

Taught by current practitioners and experts in their field, these are hands-on business owners and professionals who are delivering their years of experience over the course of a 1 or 2 day class. 

USD Center for Professional Development website! 

@Think3DSolutions 

LetsThink3D.Com 

In this episode, I sit down with Madeleine Scott, Founder and Executive Director of the South Dakota Ballet - South Dakota's first professional ballet organization. 

Maddie is breaking new ground in the arts community and wants to bring a new dimension to ballet that is uniquely authentic to her roots as a South Dakota native, and a professionally trained and acclaimed ballerina. 

This is a great conversation, hope you tune in for the whole thing. 

Oh and don't forget to expose your self to, and support the arts.

- Dan