The beauty of thinking for yourself
The Thinking Environment invites us into a new way of being - where love, connection, and transformation guide our thinking, acting, and creating.
Originally conceived by Nancy Kline, author of Time to Think, the Thinking Environment begins with a simple yet profound truth: “The quality of everything we do depends on the quality of the thinking we do first.”
Our thinking shapes every aspect of our lives: the relationships we nurture, the decisions we make, the work we create, and how we move through the world. It impacts our joy, our connections, and the legacy we leave behind. To create a life we truly love—where we thrive and help others transform—we must learn to think courageously, engaging our heart, body and mind.
But how do we do that? How do we help ourselves and others think deeply, creatively, and powerfully?
By creating a healthy Thinking Environment—a space where every voice matters, ideas flow freely, and solutions emerge naturally. This way of thinking isn’t just about solving problems or making decisions; it’s about rediscovering our power to shape our lives, relationships, and even the world around us.
The Thinking Environment is the most powerful yet simple way I’ve discovered to unlock individual brilliance and create collective transformation. It empowers us to think for ourselves while collaborating in ways that spark creativity, foster mutual respect, and inspire action.
This is why I created The Thinking Project: to bring the transformative power of the Thinking Environment to individuals, teams, and communities so we can create the lives, organizations, and world we dream of together.
Ten behaviours that change everything
At the heart of the Thinking Environment lies a profound discovery: we think at our best when those around us create space for us to truly be ourselves.
Through years of research and observation, Nancy Kline, founder of the Thinking Environment and President of Time To Think Inc, along with her associates, uncovered something extraordinary: when people embrace ten specific behaviors, they create the conditions for deep, transformative thinking.
These behaviors, known as the Ten Components of a Thinking Environment®, do more than encourage clear thought—they dissolve the assumptions that hold us back, unlocking the courage to take meaningful action.
While each component has immense value on its own, it’s the synergy of all ten working together that brings the Thinking Environment to life. This system doesn’t just help us think; it empowers us to transform.
These ten components are the foundation of The Thinking Project and the work we do. They guide how we create spaces where people reconnect with their inner wisdom, challenge what’s possible, and take steps toward lives filled with love, purpose, and possibility.