Reflection 41: Choice by Deliberate Actions!

The team this week have been reflecting on the meaning of choice: the act of selecting one option from two or more alternatives!

At times this may appear to be a simple act: A, B or C and so on. But is it? How much is left to chance? Have we really got all of the available facts to make a deliberate choice, or are we making them for convenience?

To make the right choice at times takes courage, especially when we may have an inkling that the outcome does not align with our goals; in fact, it may be opposite to our goals. In the world of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), these moments are known as choice points. It’s an interesting concept that perhaps can be transferred to our everyday working day. A situation arises, thoughts and feelings show up with it, and we choose how to respond: a move towards our values and goals, or a move away from them. Our values sit across domains such as career, relationships, environment and so on. For example, say we are working at height. The right path is to work safely through proper planning, equipment, time and training. The wrong path is to perhaps ignore some of these requirements because the pressure is on to get it done. This requires a deliberate action, a choice. Which is it to be? Are we acting on impulse, or are we considering our values at the choice point?

We have taken a number of deliberate actions this week, which we believe help our clients to have the right information to make the choice that is most beneficial to their teams and to the business.

Let’s dive in!

Monday — On the Road!

The week started for one of the team with an overnight stay in the small town of Olney in Buckinghamshire, before heading to the first site of the week just outside Bedford. By choosing to travel the day before, the rush-hour traffic is avoided. Space is also created for a bike ride and to make sure the final preparations for the following day are complete. We have touched on the importance of this space before. From Bedford, it was on to Woburn to meet with a colleague, carry out a joint compliance inspection and provide support to the site team. Both projects are heritage projects in different phases of works. From there, it was a drive to Oxfordshire for another overnight stay, ready for a full site day on Tuesday.

The team were also active closer to home, carrying out a compliance tour on another heritage project. Then it was back to base to help a client prepare safe system of work documents for a forthcoming project.

Tuesday — Still on the Road

Tuesday began with an early start for a compliance tour of a unique project approaching its final finishes and commissioning phase. This was followed by an initial tour of another project, in its early planning stages, on the same site. More exciting times ahead for the project team! The work being produced is to a high standard, and this has nothing to do with luck; it is about choice! It comes from the deliberate actions of the site and design team to deliver an exceptional building.

Another team member toured another heritage project, this time in Berkshire, which involved some trains and a bike ride or two. This project is a 15th-century timber-frame building. Again, it requires deliberate choices to solve the challenges of modern compliance expectations for a structure founded some 600 years ago!

Wednesday — Client Day

We were back on the road bright and early for a client day in Poole. This time it was to assist new appointees with the onboarding process and to discuss the next phase of the continuous improvement plans with the senior leadership team.

Back at base, we were in discussions with a recruitment consultant to help with the choices we need to make to advance our own recruitment plans. It’s a choice we want to get right, so we are taking the time to gather the facts first. We were also engaged with a client, assisting with their SSIP renewal application with CHAS.

Thursday — Site Tour and Another Client Day

One of the team was back on the train with our trusty Brompton to visit a site to the east of the county. It’s a new-build sports pavilion, and we are delighted that all is progressing well.

We were also engaged on one of our weekly client days at their premises, assisting with several tasks. These ranged from developing systems by listening to the teams and incorporating their experiences, which is a deliberate choice to make sure the systems work for the people using them, to working with the senior leadership team on future business plans.

Friday — Office Day

This is our traditional office day, when the team can come together to discuss recent events, share knowledge and plan the following week in detail. That way, all commitments are accounted for and there is space to react to change if and when required. It’s also a good day to hop back on the Brompton and head out for lunch!

Closing thought — Deliberations Leading to Good Choices or Just Luck?

The certainty of chance! That line is borrowed from the title of a song by The Divine Comedy. To us, the meaning is simple: if chance is left to its own devices, it is certain to happen! Where, when, how and the outcome are all unknown! Surely, it’s better to make deliberate choices based on measurable information to reduce the certainty of chance?

Our actions must align with our desired goals. This is where progress is made, and it can only happen by deliberate choice!

So, what’s one choice you made this week that was deliberate rather than convenient?