Our cognitive abilities enable us to envision potential scenarios for the future based on past empirical experiences and our innate creative skills. The intellectual process of refining and synthesizing (distilling) imagined future scenarios into a single cohesive plan ready to be communicated through language or via image and chart based graphic methods is called planning. The subject of interest for this planning process is not confined only to the arts and sciences like architecture and urbanism, but is essential across a multitude of human endeavors. Whether this is about orchestrating a wedding, charting a career trajectory, preparing a presentation at work, outlining a military campaign, composing a musical piece on the piano, or developing an urban plan, the mental act of planning is a critical component of the human intellect.

To transition our Being₁ from the remnants of chaos to a state of order and security, which is a condition that is prerequisite for future fulfillment and satisfaction, it is imperative that we cultivate a habitual approach to planning. Our minds must be conditioned to engage in daily strategic planning, with the flexibility to revise these plans in response to evolving circumstances. Rigidity in planning can be counterproductive; instead, adaptability is key. Without an active plan in hand, we risk remaining ensnared in the unpredictability of disorder and uncertainty, drifting from the dark and chaotic corners of the ocean of life, aimlessly.

The painting below, executed by Diego Velázquez₂, was created during a period marked by a revival of interest in classical philosophy—a resurgence at that time, which also seems to be particularly relevant given the tumultuous events of recent decades.* This painting exemplifies Velázquez’s meticulous planning skills, evident in every detail. One can discern the strategic decisions embedded in his use of color, the juxtaposition of materials, the deliberate placement of Democritus’ left hand above the globe, hinting feelings of confidence and ownership, and the subtlety of his smile, bordering lunacy. Democritus was known for his cheerful disposition and propensity for laughter, his face in the painting is rendered with a nuanced portrayal that reflects his complex personality.

Velázquez’s approach exemplifies a masterful orchestration of multiple smaller plans within the framework of a larger, overarching vision. Each element—color choice, material arrangement, and compositional detail—contributes to a cohesive thematic and visual narrative. Absent of such a comprehensive plan, Velázquez’s work might have devolved into mere artistic brushstrokes on canvas, showcasing skill and potential but lacking a focused, intentional message. Sounds Familiar?**

Engaging our mental faculties in a habitual planning process when confronted with the chaos of the unknown can be likened to having a daily physical exercise routine at the gym. It is a cognitive muscle that requires daily, if not, weekly engagement and effort in order to become a more advanced and refined thinker, capable of critical analysis and planning. Just as muscles atrophy from disuse, so too does the mind associated with planning and order if not exercised as often as needed. We should try to work our planning muscles in our mental faculty whenever a chance for it shows itself. For instance, do you have an upcoming friend visiting your city from a different one? Then why not plan out a detailed trip itinerary for him? Your guest will be delighted by your preparation and feel that you value him/her. Do you have an upcoming meeting with a client? What ever your profession may be, prior to this meeting, in your mind, try to plan out an outline for this meeting with organized points and a concretely defined end goal as an outcome. Are you running out of food resources at home and need to buy groceries? First of all, never go shopping when hungry, secondly, try to sit down with a pen and paper and calculate the amount of meals and their respective ingredients which you are hoping to prepare after this shopping session making sure to also take into account the expiration dates on certain produce, then go to the grocery store with this list in hand, making sure not to buy anything less or more with discipline and faith in the plan at hand. Only if these habits are solidified in our minds, then, when we reach the pinnacle of power in our careers and have the decision-making responsibilities endowed to us, we shall be able to plan prudently for the organizations, which we are running.

A popular saying, in an undisclosed city that I am currently located in, goes as ‘Kafanı Yorma Abi/dayi’, translates to “don’t exhaust your mind with too much thinking, brother” suggesting that it is easier not to think too deeply and simply go with the flow of life, towards whatever direction it may be taking us at that given moment. This is like telling someone with a heart condition to not engage in any mild exercises, like taking walks and not eat clean and healthy, and that everything would eventually work out for the best. However, the future is always approaching, and with it come problems that demand solutions derived by plans from a prepared mind. While we can reflect on the past, it is the future that we must address, and a virtuous individual is one who anticipates, evaluates, and devises strategies for potential scenarios to be distilled into a comprehensive singular plan for the topic at hand. This cognitive modeling, which takes place in the mind, is what we call planning.

Whether one is planning a city, a vacation, or even an encounter with an acquaintance, the same mental “muscle” is being exercised. Neurons work to generate and evaluate different possibilities, sorting through them until the best scenario emerges—the plan. The distinction between city planning and vacation planning lies in the level of topical expertise required, but the underlying cognitive process is the same. The minds’ familiar engagement in the planning process.

On the topic of urbanism in Turkey, where, in general, cities are suffering in their apparent dysfunctional states due to a lack of urban planning and design efforts, the appointment of a farsighted, virtuous mayor may offer temporary solutions, limited in time to his tenure in office. However, such individuals are often succeeded by others, and their efforts may not be sustained after their departure. The more enduring solution is to cultivate the habit of planning within the general population, ensuring that planning becomes ingrained in the culture. In doing so, whoever is elected or appointed—along with the architects and urban designers involved—will possess the tools necessary to create commandable urban master plans, which may endure the test of time, similar to Barcelona and New York, both, which are products of urban design initiatives.

When I travel to foreign lands, one of the first things I purposefully observe is how people structure their daily routines and plan for the future. For instance, when I hear a German national discussing the details of a vacation in Egypt two years from now, I recognize that I am in the presence of a planner, and that earns my respect.

To achieve success in our professional endeavors and enhance our efficiency, the mental act of planning for the far and near future must be integrated as a core and routine aspect of our daily cognitive processes.

* What I am mentioning here is the cultural decay we are all witnessing, especially in the more developed parts of this world. A condition caused by the dormant mind of the masses.

** Marcel Duchamp’s works, such as Fountain (the urinal) and Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2, are typical of his revolutionary approach to art. These pieces are presented within a context of deliberate disruption and complexity, challenging conventional perceptions of art. Duchamp’s Fountain subverts traditional notions of artistic creation by presenting a ready-made object as art, while Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2 defies static representation through its dynamic depiction of motion and abstraction. These works are embedded in a framework of deliberate chaos and conceptual depth, requiring viewers to engage in a process of interpretation and intellectual exploration. Duchamp’s art demands that one must become a sort of decipherer or detective, unraveling the layers of meaning and questioning the very essence of artistic value and representation. Leading one to contemplate in order to find meaning and order in a pile of cryptic fallacies originating mainly from vanity and uncurtained explosive ambition.

Footnotes:

1. Our “Being” is a term mentioned by Jordan Peterson to emphasize the spirit or inner self of an individual in his book: 12 Rules for Life. A highly recommend reading this book for it is very compatible with my thoughts presented in this essay.
2. Please read Robert Henri’s book: The Art Spirit, where he elequently expresses Valazques’ artistic virtues in portrait paintings.

Image Credits:

a) Musée des Beaux Arts in Orleans. Date : Vers 1630 | Medium : Oil on canvas. https://mbarouen.fr/en/oeuvres/democritus