There is an enemy among us. It compromises our relationships, results in lost business, produces poor quality, and leads customers to be confused, angry, and want more. The enemy is “okay,” and it is alive and well in our marriages, friendships, businesses, governments, schools, and even in our churches.

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

“It is just okay,” I respond.

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

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

“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 the gates of heaven.  

“Okay” comes in many forms and disguises -   

• Do not wash your car because “it will only get dirty again.”

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

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

• Not eating healthy for “everyone needs to eat something; it might as well be something you like.”

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

“Okay” to our family members, friends, co-workers, and customers is communicating that I will do just enough to get by, nothing more.  The main problem is that “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