OKAY IS NOT OKAY

There is an enemy among us. It compromises our relationships, results in lost business, and produces poor quality results. This enemy leaves customers confused, angry, and wanting more.  

The enemy’s name? “Okay.” 

“Okay” is alive and well our marriages, friendships, businesses, governments, schools, and even in our churches.

“Is everything okay?” the restaurant manager asks my wife and me about our dinner.

“It is just okay,” I respond.

“That’s great!” the restaurant manager says quickly as he moves to the next table to ask its occupants the same “okay” question.

The challenge with “okay” and similar responses (such as “fine,” “alright,” “satisfactory,” and the perplexing response, “no problem”) is that “okay” communicates that while our efforts, product, or services are absent of any basic problems (which is good), they are also absent of anything that is great (despite what the restaurant manager said).  

What makes “Okay” an enemy? 

• “Okay” will not get your customers to return and recommend. 

• “Okay” will not score the winning touchdown.  

• “Okay” will not get you that scholarship. 

• “Okay” will not get the cure for cancer.  

• “Okay” is not the secret word that will open up the gates of heaven.  

“Okay” comes in many forms and disguises: 

• Not washing your car: “It will only get dirty again.”

• Not sending a good friend birthday wishes: “I’m sure that they get plenty of cards.”

• Not coming to work on time or leaving early: “So many people do it, I should do it as well.”

• Not eating healthy: “Everyone needs to eat something, it might as well be something I like.”

• Not voting in an election: “One vote doesn’t make a difference.”

What does “Okay” communicate to our family members, friends, co-workers, and customers? I am going to do just enough to get by; nothing more. 

“Okay” results in mediocrity, disappointment, and “yawning” results. 

Isn’t life too short to be just okay? Simply put…okay is not okay. 

Until Next Friday,

Photo by Jeremy Perkins on Unsplash