Americans associate planning with having control over their lives and outcomes. Planning is how people take charge of their situations rather than being buffeted by circumstance. This association gives planning psychological significance beyond its practical effects—the act of planning creates a sense of capability and preparedness. Americans plan partly to feel in control, not just to achieve specific outcomes.
If you understand this, you’ll understand why Americans feel uncomfortable without plans and why they sometimes plan even when instrumental benefits are uncertain. Planning addresses the human need to feel one is actively engaging with the future rather than passively waiting for it. United States Planning
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