ABSTRACT
Planning's idealistic origins lie in reform movements related to healthy and safe housing, social justice, and blight removal, as well as utopian thinking. Idealism provides the orientation, purpose, and inspiration. Many professions have relatively clear-cut relationships with clients, but planning is a complex enterprise involving idealism and realism. Like idealism, motivation is mysterious. Some planners are idealistic from the beginning, others do not feel particularly idealistic, and still others develop idealism later in their careers. Planners need reliability, grit, courage, empathy, integrity, honesty, clarity about values, and good work habits. Young planners are busy building a life. The idea of pausing to reflect may seem like a poor use of time to those facing the challenges of building careers, relationships, and their futures. Reflection can be disruptive if it brings up an uncomfortable realization or makes apparent the need for change.
