Completely Conscious

Perceived knowledge is a curious thing. In a previous chapter of my career, I often referred to a concept known as The Four Stages of Learning. It's a helpful framework - not just for personal development, but for understanding how we interact with new information, especially in areas where we think we already know the answers.

Here’s a quick refresher:

1. Unconscious Incompetence

   You don’t know what you don’t know. At this stage, you may be unaware that a skill or knowledge gap even exists

2. Conscious Incompetence

   You do recognise the gap and understand that learning is required. Mistakes are common, and actually useful, at this stage.

3. Conscious Competence

   You’ve learned the skill, but it requires concentration and effort.

4. Unconscious Competence

   The skill has become second nature. You can perform it effortlessly, and possibly even teach others how to do it.

This model applies to almost everything in life. Take Max, for example. She freely admits she's in a solid state of conscious incompetence when it comes to cars - she knows she doesn’t know, and she’s not rushing to change that. (We’ll leave that story for another time!)

In our own industry, blinds and window treatments, misunderstandings around terminology are incredibly common.  Take the phrase "blackout blind." When someone asks for a blackout blind, what they often picture is a roller blind. But here’s the thing: most roller blinds leave a visible halo of light down the sides and across the top. That’s not blackout.

When is a blackout blind not a blackout blind?

So who’s right? Technically, no one’s wrong. The term means different things to different people. For some, blocking most light is good enough. For others, anything less than total darkness just won’t do.

That’s where we come in.

At Bespoke Blinds & Poles, our job is to bridge the gap between expectation and reality. We provide clear, detailed information about each product’s characteristics, and help you choose what suits your needs - not just what sounds right.

As members of the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA), we provide a characteristics sheet alongside every quote. This ensures transparency and sets the right expectations from the outset.

Our process is simple but thorough:

• A conversation in our showroom

• A follow-up visit to your home to confirm/ adjust expectations

• A detailed quote with all specifications clearly outlined

We aim to make the whole process as informative and jargon-free as possible (without boring you senseless). And when you pop into the showroom looking for a solution -whether it’s privacy, light control, thermal comfort, or something else - we’ll ask a few guiding questions to make sure we find the right answer.

After all, asking the right questions is how we all move from conscious incompetence to confident decision-making. And that’s what we’re here for.

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At Bespoke Blinds & Poles, we specialise in finding the perfect solutions to fit even the most unique window and door configurations. Curious about costs? Just send us your approximate glazing measurements, and we’ll be happy to provide an estimate - no pressure, no sales calls, just honest advice to help you make the right choice.