It’s Okay
When the Wright Brothers first dreamed of taking to the sky, they didn’t know what they were doing. But it turned out okay.
When Yuri Gargarin headed into the unknown on that historic first space flight, he didn’t know what he was doing. But it turned out okay.
When Ghandi pioneered satyagraha as the non-violent counter to tyranny, he didn’t know if what he was doing would work. But it turned out okay.
History’s greatest moments are built on people who didn’t know what they were doing. But they turned out okay.
The point?
It’s okay to not know what you’re doing – it could be just the spur you need for your own greatness.
Loved this post! I have sometimes be "trapped" by indecision, believing that I have to know what I'm doing. This article is really inspiring...it encourages me that I'm on the right path. I can do what I may not necessarily know how to do. Thanks.
Danny - this was magnificent! You might just be the next Seth Godin! Thanks for such an inspirational piece. :)
I can't tell you how often I feel as though everyone else knows what they're doing but me - that I'm somehow the only one left in the dark unsure of my direction or where life will take me.
I especially felt this way while going through college - everyone else knew what they wanted to do with their futures. They all had a general idea of what they wanted to major in, and I was the one who kept switching majors and changing direction.
Now I'm here doing something that I love and can't possibly live without - writing. :)
And you're exactly right; you won't be 100% sure of most of the choices that you make in life. But if you just keep on pushing and keep working towards that end goal, whatever it may be, you'll look back and think, "Wow. Did I really make it this far?"
And everything will be okay. :)
Truly awesome piece, Danny. You always know how to keep it short and sweet.
Christina
Hello Danny,
What a nice post! Sometimes there are words needed to make us feel like we've been given another knot to hold on to or a hand to support us. I’m amazed how mysterious, glorious life we're privileged to have leads them to us at the most appropriate times. This is what your words are for me today and I'm very grateful ... thank you. You have a gift, thank you for sharing that too!
Much kindness,
Elena
Great post here Danny. Fear stops people from doing extra-ordinary things because they don't step out into the unknown and become something or someone they've always dreamed of.
You're dreams never die; they stay tucked away tucked away right where you buried them. Throughout your life they'll be a reminder you of what your purpose was suppose to be or what could have been and often times they'll leave one with many regrets for sleep walking through life.
Self-made successful people who started with nothing and built fortunes understood that in order to live a fulfilling life and change the world, as many of them were inspired to do, you must get to the point that you know, no matter what, everything is going to be alright – especially in the midst of your most challenging times in life.
Everything is going to be alright!
Short, but powerful message Mr. Brown!
Hi Danny
Great analogy and as most of the time I'm leaping into the unknown with my business venture and learning along the way, it's also inspiring and comforting to know that it's going to be ok. And isn't hindsight a wonderful thing ;-)
Patricia Perth Australia
Simply and great reminder Danny. Its in taking action from the idea. Where I'm at in the circle yet again and moving forward.
Thanks for sharing this thought!
Hi Danny,
Powerfully stated, enriched with real life events.
I get it - It's Okay! I try to tell myself this, but sometimes I get caught up with the hype. I think I have to have all the answers. And in reality, I need to be clueless from time to time in order to get answers. I have to be willing to take the those risks! Being unsure doesn't meant that I'm going to fail, it just means that I have "some finding out" to do.
I admit, this (my writing) was confusing by the eye, but inside of my head it was pure clarity...and writing it really made me feel it.
Thanks for the motivation Danny!
Danny, aloha. You're right, Danny. Greatness comes from the doing and being open to the possibilities. Innovation is "going where no man has gone before." Science is validation of a preconceived premise--variables need not apply!
Wishing you a spectacular Sunday, Danny. Aloha. Janet
The most poignant messages always come to me in two's or three's, Listen From Within or It's Okay. It's perfect timing that led me to this post and delivered the perfect message i needed to hear, It's Okay. I didn't even know I needed to hear it, until I did. It's one of "those" days - hell two years! The kind that test patience and endurance and most of all heart. I'm an Artist tearing the chrysalis open, moving from the starving artist syndrome to living a thriving Artist's life. When following inspiration I didn't realized how painful it would be to transform and get those wings - but it's okay cuz I'm dying to live not living to die and that makes all the difference. Thanks again
Hey there Stephey,
Wow, sounds like you have an awesome story there, miss. Love the "dying to live" mantra - here's to that long being the case!
Loved this post! I have sometimes be "trapped" by indecision, believing that I have to know what I'm doing. This article is really inspiring...it encourages me that I'm on the right path. I can do what I may not necessarily know how to do. Thanks.
Hi there Steve,
Cheers, mate, really glad the post resonated and gave you some extra spur - that's all I can ask for, so thanks for sharing your thoughts, mate, appreciated. :)
Oh speechless.. but yes, all I want to say is that, I really admire everything about you and I wish to meet. It's gonna be an achievement then. Hats off to you.
Hi Kira,
Thank you for the kind words, and glad you enjoyed the post - appreciate you stopping by. :)
Danny - this was magnificent! You might just be the next Seth Godin! Thanks for such an inspirational piece. :)
I can't tell you how often I feel as though everyone else knows what they're doing but me - that I'm somehow the only one left in the dark unsure of my direction or where life will take me.
I especially felt this way while going through college - everyone else knew what they wanted to do with their futures. They all had a general idea of what they wanted to major in, and I was the one who kept switching majors and changing direction.
Now I'm here doing something that I love and can't possibly live without - writing. :)
And you're exactly right; you won't be 100% sure of most of the choices that you make in life. But if you just keep on pushing and keep working towards that end goal, whatever it may be, you'll look back and think, "Wow. Did I really make it this far?"
And everything will be okay. :)
Truly awesome piece, Danny. You always know how to keep it short and sweet.
Christina
Hi there Christina,
Well thank you for the kind words, miss, really appreciate them. :)
The funny thing with college is that often the folks that know what they want to do don't end up doing it anyway (I don't follow the career path that my University degree would give me).
Here's to more unknowns. :)
This is an excellent post Danny! People need to be reminded about this once in a while, that it is ok to not know everything. Indeed everyone struggles with moments of being clueless about what they’re doing, but it is just surprising how our cluelessness oftentimes leads to great things. I’ve known a lot of people who ventured into the unknown and find themselves successful now. However just a quick point, I guess it is also not good to stick with this line of thought always, as there are still things that needs us to be certain, to know what we are doing.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi there Rojae,
Oh, for sure, you definitely need to have at least some common sense now and again - there are limits as to how much of a leap into the unknown you take.
Accepting that the leap is there, though, and shouldn't be feared - that's where the gold is. :)
Thanks for dropping by, appreciate it. :)
It's great how you always manage to motivate us every week, Danny. Thank you for telling us that it's all going to be okay. Even if we are taking baby steps or taking that giant leap, the thought that we are venturing to many unknown avenues in the world of business is always daunting. So, having someone tell us that it'll be okay is a great heart lightener indeed.
Hey there Wes,
Thanks for the kind words, sir, much appreciated. Completely agree - so many times we're told we need to be rushing to where we want to be.
But you know, it's not a bad thing if we take a little longer to get there - it just means we have more experience along the way. ;-)
Hey Danny and everyone,
I think the most common thing we can share together right here is the first time we've get connected to social media : we didn't know what we've been doing, but you see finally it turned out ok.
Every so called revolution didn't know what it supposed to do, but it turned ok.
People have been doing great things without fearing the failure, I've tried to explained it yesterday as well. And finally they succeed (and often by surprise !).
Since ages it turned ok for others : people leave it a little, it will turn ok fo you as well.
Danny, you always find the right words at the right moments, how can you do that ?!
...(no, finally, please keep your secret, that's why I'll come back all the time)...
Hey there Yael,
So very true - and I love the fact you use the term "revolution" to make your point.
Like you say, the truest revolutions and biggest changes come from those willing to go against the norm, because they believe a better something lies beyond.
Here's to more revolutions. :)
Keeping regulars looks on your small blogging "revolution".
I'm trying to do as well, so it will be a bigger one :)
Have a great day my friend !!
Well then my work is done, mate, and I shall retire for the evening. ;-)
Great to hear, mate, and happy to "help" - here's to everything working out.
Nailed it again Danny, if they had taken too much caution where would the world be? Life, work music why just accept it all? Far better to have a little chaos in there.
Choice is one thing choosing is another, as long as you believe then thats fine and dandy.
They will have to follow.
Hey there Mark,
It reminds me of the likes of the Sex Pistols, Nirvana and Madonna - striking out from what was the norm at the time, not really knowing if it would work but taking the risk anyway.
And we all know how music was changed because of them.
Here's to more instigators of choice. :)
I would agree and all those bands and many more simply share their creativity without the short term sale being most important. Shame John Lydon is seen as a pantomime dame when he has more wit and inteligence than many, here's a blog post I wrote on Social Media and the Sex Pistols http://www.design58.com/2010/12/11/328/ .
The people you list just get on with things as we all should. Worthwhile looking at certain creative people to see that life isn't a 5, 10 and 15 year plan.
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh has suggestions regarding life and choice, do choose life over drugs but choose your own life not one someone else packages for you.
I would agree and all those bands and many more simply share their creativity without the short term sale being most important. Shame John Lydon is seen as a pantomime dame when he has more wit and inteligence than many, here's a blog post I wrote on Social Media and the Sex Pistols http://www.design58.com/2010/12/11/328/ .
The people you list just get on with things as we all should. Worthwhile looking at certain creative people to see that life isn't a 5, 10 and 15 year plan.
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh has suggestions regarding life and choice, do choose life over drugs but choose your own life not one someone else packages for you.
Hello Danny,
What a nice post! Sometimes there are words needed to make us feel like we've been given another knot to hold on to or a hand to support us. I’m amazed how mysterious, glorious life we're privileged to have leads them to us at the most appropriate times. This is what your words are for me today and I'm very grateful ... thank you. You have a gift, thank you for sharing that too!
Much kindness,
Elena
Hi Elena,
First, thank you so much for the kind words, I really appreciate them. :)
You know, it's funny - I never cease to be amazed by the very different, yet very kind, people I meet virtually every day of the week.
It truly seems like there's a new mindset amongst folks, and that people genuinely want to help others. Of course, there will always be idiots that buck that trend - but they can be avoided if we need to.
Here's to more glorious lives. :)
Great post here Danny. Fear stops people from doing extra-ordinary things because they don't step out into the unknown and become something or someone they've always dreamed of.
You're dreams never die; they stay tucked away tucked away right where you buried them. Throughout your life they'll be a reminder you of what your purpose was suppose to be or what could have been and often times they'll leave one with many regrets for sleep walking through life.
Self-made successful people who started with nothing and built fortunes understood that in order to live a fulfilling life and change the world, as many of them were inspired to do, you must get to the point that you know, no matter what, everything is going to be alright – especially in the midst of your most challenging times in life.
Everything is going to be alright!
Short, but powerful message Mr. Brown!
I think you hit the nail on the head, Mark. I know one of my biggest fears is looking back on my deathbed and thinking, "If only."
I'd rather lay there thinking, "Wow, that was one interesting life that I made a lot of mistakes in. But I sure as heck had fun making them and becoming better because of them."
Like you say, everything is going to be alright. Cheers, sir!
Spooky - a not dissimilar topic to my own this morning, must be that celtic thing going on :).
You won't know until you try. It's my mantra and works just fine. And it's ok to make a mistake as long as you learn from it.
Thaks for sharing Danny
Well now I'm juts going to have to drop on over and check the post out, mate. :)
I'm a huge fan of people that are willing to make mistakes - it's the only way we learn. And when we learn, we grow - what's not to like? ;-)
Anytime, Lori, and thanks for sharing the start of your week with me.
By the way, Mr. Claus made a purchase for you today... ;-)
Anytime, Lori, and thanks for sharing the start of your week with me.
By the way, Mr. Claus made a purchase for you today... ;-)
Hi Danny
Great analogy and as most of the time I'm leaping into the unknown with my business venture and learning along the way, it's also inspiring and comforting to know that it's going to be ok. And isn't hindsight a wonderful thing ;-)
Patricia Perth Australia
Hey there Patricia,
Ah, hindsight - if we could bottle that up and sell it before something happened, we'd be millionaires many times over. ;-)
Thanks for dropping by from Australia, miss, always a pleasure. :)
When Griddy ventured into the unknown (for her) world of blogging, she didn't know she would become friends with an exceptional blogger called Danny. It turned out more than okay ;)!
Seriously though - "History’s greatest moments are built on people who didn’t know what they were doing. But they turned out okay." - Powerful words and Oh so true!
As Bill said - sometimes a small "leap of faith" is all you need.
Thanks for this beautiful reminder.
Well said DB
Damn Danny that one little Bonsai Tree sure has reaped some rewards. I am ditching my Sky Pulse Media Pen and Pencil set for Bonsai's shaped like Aliens and Flying Saucers.
Well, since we're talking in third person, Danny would just like to say that the feeling's mutual, miss, and just another reason why I love blogging so much. :)
Griddy doesn't do third person - she's a big fan of first person but for this particular comment she felt it best to maintain the same tense and poetic style as the post hahaha.
I loved this DB. You have such a way with words. Sweet, succinct and spot on!
“History’s greatest moments are built on people who didn’t know what they were doing”
That could also be used as a cautionary tale. Some of the greatest blunders come from people who didn't know what they were doing either.
I wrestle with this frequently. I won't refrain from action solely because I don't know what the outcome will be, but sometimes I will temper it.
The balance between the two is what I seek.
Hi there Jack,
Good point - temperance can definitely help. Here's to not letting too much temperance stop is from acting in the first place. ;-)
Trackbacks
-
[...] It’s Okay originally appeared on Danny Brown | Social Media Marketing Blog – The Human Side of Media and the Social Side of Marketing under a Creative Commons license. If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it! [...]
-
[...] good progress of any human endeavor is consistently built under 2 key sides : – Optimism : it’s okay, even if you (or others) don’t really know what you’re doing, or feel unconscious and [...]
-
[...] But I also know that it took a lot of hard work and the realization that things don’t always work out the way we want them to – but that’s okay. [...]























