You’re working on an urban planning project. How can you develop a positive attitude towards change?

1 Identify your goals

Before you start any urban planning project, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and why. What are the needs and preferences of the community you are serving? What are the environmental, social, and economic impacts of your project? How will you measure your success and evaluate your progress? Having a well-defined and realistic set of goals will help you stay focused and motivated, as well as communicate your purpose and value to others.

2 Seek feedback and collaboration

Urban planning is not a solo endeavor. You need to work with a diverse team of stakeholders, including clients, colleagues, experts, authorities, and residents. Seeking feedback and collaboration from these different perspectives will help you improve your ideas, learn from your mistakes, and discover new possibilities. You will also build trust and rapport with the people who are affected by or involved in your project, which will make it easier to overcome any resistance or conflict.

3 Be flexible and open-minded

No matter how well you plan, you will inevitably encounter unexpected situations, changing conditions, and emerging challenges. Instead of resisting or avoiding change, you need to be flexible and open-minded. This means being willing to adjust your strategies, experiment with new solutions, and learn from new experiences. You also need to be open to different opinions, perspectives, and approaches, and respect the diversity and complexity of urban issues.

4 Celebrate your achievements and learn from your failures

Urban planning projects can be long and demanding, and sometimes you may feel frustrated or discouraged. To maintain a positive attitude, you need to celebrate your achievements and recognize your efforts, no matter how big or small. You also need to learn from your failures and view them as opportunities for growth and improvement. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, you need to analyze what you can do better next time and apply your learnings to future projects.

5 Seek inspiration and support

Finally, you need to seek inspiration and support from various sources to keep your passion and enthusiasm for urban planning alive. You can find inspiration from other urban planners, projects, or places that showcase creativity, innovation, or excellence. You can also find support from your mentors, peers, or networks that can offer you advice, guidance, or encouragement. You can also seek inspiration and support from yourself, by reflecting on your values, strengths, and aspirations, and by taking care of your physical and mental health.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?