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Ask a Climate Therapist: How do I avoid getting trapped in the system I hope to change?

A young civil engineer seeks advice on how to avoid becoming complacent within the industry they aim to reform. Therapist Leslie Davenport suggests embracing "strategic patience" and staying actively engaged with alternative ideas to maintain a vision for change. She explains that bureaucratic absorption can gradually shift individuals' goals, but staying aware and documenting challenges can help resist this process. The engineer's concern reflects a growing awareness of the tension between systemic change and personal integrity within large organizations.

What happened

A young engineer worries about losing their vision for change as they navigate a system that may resist innovation.

Why it matters

It highlights the tension between personal values and institutional inertia, a common challenge for those trying to drive systemic change.

Why it belongs here

It offers a thoughtful exploration of how individuals can stay true to their goals while working within complex systems.

environmentlearningsciencework life

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