Case Study: Think Like a Tree and Think Like a Forest
Introduction
"Think Like a Tree" and "Think Like a Forest" are innovative personal and organisational development programmes inspired by nature's living systems. Founded by Sarah Spencer, these programmes encourage individuals and organisations to redesign their lives and operations in alignment with nature’s principles, fostering a deep connection with the environment, creativity, and sustainable living. This case study explores how these programs profoundly impact personal wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and organisational transformation.
Programme Overview
Think Like a Tree is a personal development programme that helps individuals reconnect with nature, learn from its wisdom, and apply these insights to their lives. Participants are guided to redesign their lives in alignment with natural principles, which support improved wellbeing, resilience, and a greater sense of purpose. The programme emphasises self-guidance, where participants are encouraged to discover their unique paths through nature-based activities, journalling, and creative exercises.
Think Like a Forest expands these principles to businesses and organisations, guiding them on a regenerative journey. This program focuses on helping leaders and teams redesign their operations based on the principles of living systems, promoting sustainability, and reducing the environmental impact of their business practices.
Sarah Spencer explains,
“The programmes are inspired by living systems and are about creating life...moving away from the mindsets and activities that extract from humans and the earth.”
Key Activities
- Nature Connection and Learning from Nature: Both programmes strongly emphasise nature connection. Participants are encouraged to spend time in nature or visualise nature spaces, using all their senses to interact with their surroundings. This practice helps individuals reconnect with their bodies and the living world around them, fostering a holistic sense of wellbeing.
- Creative Visioning: One of the core activities is creating a vision for the future using natural materials. Participants gather items like grasses, seeds, and leaves to create a physical manifestation of their life vision. This process is meditative and deeply personal, allowing participants to express their goals and dreams in a tangible form. Sarah notes,
“The outcomes are really profound... people create visions that have a lasting impact on their lives.”
- Reflective Practices and Group Discussions: Throughout the programs, participants engage in reflective practices and group discussions, allowing them to share their insights and learn from each other. This collaborative environment helps reinforce the lessons learned from nature and supports the application of these lessons in everyday life and work.
Impact on Wellbeing and Environmental Awareness
The programmes have demonstrated significant benefits for participants’ mental health, wellbeing, and environmental awareness. By encouraging a deep connection with nature and promoting creativity, the programs help reduce stress, increase resilience, and enhance a sense of agency. Sarah shares,
“Participants report feeling calmer, less stressed, and more resilient... they’re able to live well with difficult situations.”
Moreover, the programmes foster a reciprocal relationship with nature, where participants benefit from nature’s healing properties and develop a sense of responsibility to protect and nurture the environment. This reciprocal relationship is a key aspect of both programmes, ensuring that participants consider the impact of their actions on the environment and make conscious efforts to reduce their ecological footprint.
In the context of businesses, Think Like a Forest helps organisations adopt regenerative practices that benefit both the environment and the organisation. By shifting their mindset and operations towards sustainability, these businesses are better equipped to contribute positively to the planet.
Addressing Climate Emotions
Both programmes also address climate-related emotions, such as eco-anxiety and paralysis. Participants are guided through a process of acknowledging these emotions, grieving for what has been lost, and eventually moving towards action. This approach, inspired by Joanna Macy’s Active Hope, empowers participants to find their place in the ecosystem and take meaningful action without being overwhelmed by the scale of the challenges.
Sarah emphasises the importance of this process:
“Supporting people to see themselves as part of an interconnected whole... empowers them to take action and move beyond paralysis.”
Evaluation and Feedback
The programmes use several evaluation tools to measure their impact. Based on suggestions from Derby University, the programs incorporate wellbeing measures, nature connection questionnaires, and assessments of pro-environmental behaviours. Participants are invited to complete these evaluations before and after the programs, although real-time feedback during workshops is considered the most valuable.
Sarah acknowledges the challenge of long-term follow-up, noting that while the initial feedback is positive, more sustained research is desired to assess the long-term impact of the programs.
Challenges and Future Directions
One of the challenges the programmes face is reaching a broader audience, particularly those who are less connected to nature or less aware of sustainability issues. While the programs are effective for those who already have some level of nature connection, there is a desire to engage with more diverse groups and bring these life-changing principles to a wider audience.
Looking ahead, Sarah Spencer hopes to expand both programmes and continue refining the methods used to ensure they remain accessible and impactful. The goal is to help more individuals and organisations not only survive but thrive in a way that is in harmony with the natural world.
Conclusion
Think Like a Tree and Think Like a Forest offers powerful tools for personal and organisational transformation by drawing on the wisdom of nature. These programs not only support individual wellbeing but also foster a deeper connection to the environment, leading to positive environmental behaviours and regenerative business practices. As Sarah Spencer aptly puts it,
“It’s really important that, with a sense of urgency, humans wake up to the fact that... we need to move towards regenerative living system approaches.”
This case study highlights the potential for nature-inspired solutions to create a more sustainable and fulfilling way of life, both for individuals and organisations. By aligning with nature’s principles, we can create a world that supports the health and wellbeing of all living systems.
Find Think Like a Tree and Think Like a Forest online