Someone recently advised that I remove the emotion from something I'm contending with at work. In that moment, I did recognise that the feelings were becoming outsized. It's a job, in a professional setting, there are conventions, rein it in. Although, speaking to John Stiles, Placemaking Manager at London Borough of Brent, he reminds me that we planners have come to skimp on aspiration and vision.

We've all sufficiently carried on about the tendency to bloat planning. The masses of tome-like reports, the plethora of consultees, the minutiae of process, the sanctity of targets, the numbers of applications it generates. Planning is, undoubtedly, quantity-driven.

As planners, what gives us satisfaction? Instinctively, it's not, "can't wait to tell mum about the 23,722-word committee report at Christmas" or, "chuffed I managed 14% net BNG, in your face requirement."

I hope any working person aspires to feel good about what s/he/they do. Emotion is an entirely healthy yardstick of how effective we are. As John points out, we are shaping spaces and environments, the world around us - isn't the point for it to feel good? We are not now-makers, we are future-makers. There are many terms to throw at this: aspiration, vision, intention, ambition, gut feeling. Who is championing those in our discipline?

The professional bodies are grappling with how to attract talent to planning. The sector operates exclusively in numbers and process. Planners are propelled by (or should be!?) basic human emotions. It's no wonder there's a disconnect.