Way up there on my list of thoroughly annoying turns of phrase is the application of the word “challenging” as a euphemism for everything from the truly problematic to the downright irritating. It is my belief that people who use this term are tying to force themselves to be relentlessly positive in the face of a negative situation. In other words, they don’t know the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity.
Yes, there are times (daily) when we have to suck it up and deal with life’s messy surprises, but we shouldn’t have to deal with permanent or recurring frustrations as any kind of rite of passage. In your quest to find and enriching and fulfilling career as an architect, there are only a few true rites of passage. I have separated them into three groups:
The Quantitative Rites - the attainments - are the prescriptive things you have to do to be considered an architect from a literal perspective. All architects complete these rites.
1. Graduate from an architecture program with a professional degree
2. Qualify, through proper work experience, to take your licensing exams
3. Successfully complete exams
4. Maintain license in good standing, including continuing education
The Qualitative Rites - the judgements- are the milestone achievements that gain you recognition in the eyes of your peers, clients and consultants. Most successful architects complete these rites.
1. Specialize in an area of design
2. Publish or have articles published featuring you or your work
3. Receive an award for design or professional merit
4. Be sought out for your expertise and asked to participate on a board, committee or panel
The Influential Rites - the impacts -are the transformative moments you have where you bring your knowledge and experience to bear to positively influence the world around you. Only truly great architects complete these rites-but all of us could-if we stopped viewing obstacles as challenges and wasting our creative energy.
1. Inspire someone to see the world differently
2. Contribute, through design, to the welfare of others
3. Mentor others to help them achieve their fullest potential
4. Be a voice, through supportive environments, to those who cannot or do not know how to request what they need
5. Advocate, through the person that you are and the way you live your life, all the ways that design does matter
Notice how none of the rites of passage involve any of the following “challenges” I like to call the Seven Deadly Sins of Architecture:
1. Endure abuse by clients, co-workers or superiors
2. Manipulate clients, co-workers or superiors
3. Overstrategize every action in an attempt to stay one step ahead
4. Seek credit and recognition for accomplishments
5. Blame others (even when deserved) for unfavorable situations or outcomes
6. Overpromise or overcommit to projects, organizations or events
7. Undercut perceived competition both in and out of the office
That’s because none of these things make us stronger or better in any way. They frustrate and aggravate us and suck up all our creative energy. Far from being challenges, they are obstacles (many of them self-created) and the sooner you recognize them as such, the sooner you can overcome them and focus on your true architectural Rites of Passage.
I recently saw a photo of the destroyed Berlin Wall spray painted with the statement “We are the wall.” Nothing could be more true.
