Going the extra mile may be one of the most important attributes anyone can have…in my opinion.
When you go the extra mile, it is about perfectionism or ego, it’s about pride.
It’s about looking at the end piece and saying “It could be better.” I always remind myself that perfection is the enemy of done..and it is so true. However, going the extra mile in your relationships, in your work ethic, in the gym, on the job, will take you places you hadn’t even thought possible.
It will drive you to new heights and make you irreplaceable. The person who is known to go the extra mile will be known by others too. It is not a rule of luck or being at the right place at the right time, it’s about putting in the work necessary…in fact the extra work necessary to be one step closer to excellence.
Right now, I am focusing on going the extra mile in everything I can do. Not settling for mediocrity…only settling for greatness.
The best pat of this plan is that I know I am going to fail. But rather fail trying to be great than mediocre right?
Failure is a great thing, it teaches lessons, it makes you stronger, but it should never be on the game plan as a viable option.
Michael Jordan knew that he was going to fail, but he HATED failing. I am the same way…I am no Michael Jordan, but doesn’t mean that I can’t be the Michael Jordan of something someday.
He was the best for a reason. That inner drive to achieve. The intense drive to win.
And the attitude that said if he didn’t win, it wasn’t because he didn’t put in the work…it just wasn’t meant to be.
Go the extra mile. See where it takes you.
Evan Sanders
The Better Man Project
“If a thing’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well”, right?
Awesome as always! 😀
Thank you for giving me a well needed boost and reminder why I do try, for the most part, to go that extra mile whenever and wherever I can.
Work has been grinding me down lately, and your reminder that my idealism (which some might say is pointless daydreamery) is a part of who I am and does mean that I can sit back look at my projects and think ‘I gave it my best, and I’m satisfied’ (even though I will always want to do it again to iron out the problems I learned the first time around!)
Yes, one must go the extra mile. other wise, u may feel that u should have done more. Go out and do more then u do not have to ponder that though.
So true. Going the extra mile falls in line, also, with having passion for what you do. Whether it’s writing, reviewing, relationships or making jewelry passion is what sets one apart from another. A reader or customer can somehow perceive the presence or lack of passion. But if you dedicate yourself to going that extra mile, even if you fall on your face, you still learn so much that you can’t help but grow!
Excellent post.
Evan,
Thanks for the reminder. I have written on my bedroom wall, “Do all that you can, while you can.” I am living by this mantra more and more each day. In particular, I like your comment about, “Not settling for mediocrity…” I believe that being comfortable is the enemy of progress and will lead to mediocrity. A few days ago, I tweeted, “Don’t allow the world to lull you into mediocrity.” I find this to be very important.
I think that my issue hasn’t been “Going the extra mile, ” as much as it has been “doing too much of one thing, and not enough of the other.” Sometimes, I feel like I give too much of myself, and don’t have enough left when it’s all said and done. I have to learn how to relax more in certain instances, and plow forward in others. That’s why balance is also important. If the sun was out all of the time, plants would dry out and die. The sun is still important, because too little, it will not promote healthy growth in plants. Ya dig? The right amount of what we need is the key.