It’s a word we use all the time without thinking. It’s so common now that we think it’s just part of the standard, accepted vocabulary used in any social, professional and personal situation.
F. I. N. E.
How are you? Fine.
How’s work? Fine.
How are you and your partner getting along? Fine.
What a limp word. And what a misleading word.
The danger of this little word is what it hides. What it ignores. What it accepts.
Face it… Fine does not mean great.
Fine means – I’m not well. I’m stressed. I’m tired. I’m overweight. But, not so much so that I will take action to do something about it.
Fine means – My job is boring. It pays the bills. The people I work with suck. My boss is bullying me. But, not so much so that I will take action and do something about it.
Fine means – My spouse and I haven’t had sex in over a month. My kids are glued to their devices and don’t talk to us anymore. I’m lonely. But, not so much so that I will take action to do something about it.
Fine is our handy little cop-out word that gives us permission to avoid taking action. We hide our procrastination behind it. We hide our fears behind it. We hide our unhappiness behind it. And we hide these, not just from other people, but from ourselves.
If things were terrible, unbearable or awful, we’d be more likely to address them. But fine? Well, fine means I don’t have to face what it is that’s stopping things from being great. I can, and do, just put up with it.
When did this happen? When did it become fine to simply go along with a mediocre life?
My challenge to you is to look at the areas of your life that you describe as ‘fine’. Now, think about what they would look like if you could describe them as great, fabulous and awesome?
How are you? Great! (Now describe what great looks like).
How’s work? Awesome! (Now describe what awesome looks like).
How are you and your partner getting along? Fabulously! (Now describe what fabulous looks like).
Think about it. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be living the life the way you just described it?
Yes?
Well, the first step is to stop using the word fine. Wipe it out of your vocabulary. Start acknowledging the areas of your life as they are. Does something suck? Great! You now have something to address.
No more hiding behind F.I.N.E.
