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Understand yourself. Grow at your own pace.
Tree of Life shares education and self-development know-how in plain English — free videos, articles and simple tools, made by qualified educators who want to help you live a happier, and more effective life.
Roots
Why this channel exists
Everything we make starts from the same idea: good ideas about how our minds and relationships work shouldn't be subject to payment if it is used for "not for profit" purposes.
We're a small group of qualified educators who believe that understanding a few well-tested ideas — about how people think, relate and grow — can genuinely change how someone's life feels.
We choose subjects with a real track record: things like transactional analysis, systematic thinking, and how to use your strengths, using self-development models that have actually helped people, not passing trends. And we explain them the way we'd explain them to a friend — plainly, and without jargon.
Everything on this site is free, and always will be. If a video, article or tool here helps you, that's the whole point.
- Plain English, alwaysNo jargon, no gatekeeping — if it's not clear, we haven't finished writing it.
- Evidence over trendWe pick ideas with a genuine track record of helping people.
- Free, not-for-profitThis channel and site exist to help, not to sell. If you wish to make money from our material, please talk to us and we will seek a win-win financial relationship.
- Shaped by youSuggestions for topics are genuinely welcome — see the footer.
Branches
Watch
The video library, growing one branch at a time. Here are the latest.
An introduction to Transactional Analysis — Part One
This video explains Eric Berne's ground-breaking psychological theory, Transactional Analysis, by describing the ego-states, their strengths and weaknesses, and vivid examples of the different dynamics created when they interact with each other. The examples cover both family and workplace situations.
Watch on YouTube
An introduction to Transactional Analysis — Part Two
This video explains Eric Berne's ground-breaking psychological theory, Transactional Analysis, by explaining how you can take control of your ego-states and make conscious decisions about which states are appropriate in different situations. We use vivid examples of the different dynamics created when they interact with each other. The examples cover both family and workplace situations.
Watch on YouTube
A systematic approach to thinking and getting things done
This video explains a systematic model for helping individuals to think logically through any task, project, or problem, and for teams of people to think together in a coordinated and logical way. Its elegant design reflects the natural way we think when we are thinking logically.
Watch on YouTubeComing soon
Next up in production
- 1Develop a powerful sense of purpose
- 2Transform your ability to listen
- 3How to give and receive feedback that helps
- 4Being assertive versus being aggressive
- 5How to build self-confidence in yourself and others
- 6Analysing success as well as errors
- 7A balanced approach to thinking about strengths and weaknesses
- 8The vital need to integrate newcomers
- 9How to lead when you're not the formal leader
Fruit
Free tools to use
Simple worksheets and guides you can download as a PDF — keep them on your phone, tablet or computer, print them out, or come back to them anytime.
The Systematic Thinking Method
A systematic approach to thinking for individuals and for groups.
Download PDFThe Systematic Thinking Method — Standard Interactive Tool
Work through the model step by step, right in your browser — no download needed. Works on phones, tablets and computers.
Download toolThe Systematic Thinking Method — Enhanced Interactive Tool
A fuller, more guided version of the same tool, with extra features to support deeper working sessions.
Download toolInteractive Tools — User Guide
A simple guide to starting, saving, reloading, exporting and importing your projects in the Standard and Enhanced Interactive Tools.
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Transform Your Ability to Listen
A short worksheet to help you notice your listening habits and pick up a few that serve conversations better.
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Confidence Check-in
A short self-assessment to reflect on where your confidence feels strong or shaky.
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An Introduction to Transactional Analysis
A simple worksheet to accompany the video on the basics of transactional analysis.
Download PDFThe Systematic Thinking Method is ready to download now, alongside two interactive versions you can use straight in your browser. The last two are placeholders — send us your upcoming video topics and we'll line these up to match.
Get in Touch
Whether it's feedback on a tool, an idea for a future video, or a question about anything on this site — we read every message ourselves and always reply.
Send us an email