Going the extra mile–does that phrase alone make you sweat? Even though the prospect sometimes seems daunting, there are plenty of reasons why going the extra mile is worth every effort you can make. Let’s talk about how pushing yourself to do just a little more {than you think you can} only leads to getting that much more out of life!

Going the extra mile–what’s that really mean?

In life, there are a lot of required miles, but the extra mile is just that–extra. Going the extra mile is doing extra in order to make something that much more special. For example, you might routinely go the extra mile for someone you love, because they are important to you. But at work or school it might be tempting to do only that which is required. However, going the extra mile is worth it because it shows you really care. In short, going the extra mile is doing more than is expected.

Reasons for going the extra mile

So why do you need to invest yourself in doing more than is expected? There are lots of reasons, not the least of which is that it positively impacts every area of your life.

1. Perhaps the biggest reason for going the extra mile is to show others that you really care about them. Those others are your significant other, family members, coworkers and customers. No matter who they are or what role they play in your life, they appreciate knowing they can count on you to do more than is expected. Going above and beyond is always good business!
2. To really stand out in business, you pretty much have to establish yourself as an extra miler. There are too many ways to be mundane and just get by, but going the extra mile will almost always pay off, sooner or later.
3. If you want to be an expert in any field, then go the extra mile to really learn all the ins and outs of that field.
4. People who go the extra mile are people we can all look to for positive role models. Why not be one yourself? There’s no reason why you can’t.
5. You can be indispensable to others. If you establish yourself as a proven extra miler and one others can count on, you become indispensable to them. In business, this is one way to help ensure that you will always have a job.
6. Going the extra mile tends to bring more opportunities your way. Even an extra mile that feels like a failure is just a roadblock on the journey to success.
7. An extra miler tends to be someone who serves others, and service to others brings true happiness.

Make going the extra mile a habit in your life. As Wayne Dyer once said, “It is never crowded along the extra mile.”