80% of life is showing up.
Isn't that what Woody Allen said?
Although I'm not sure I agree with his percentage……
I do agree that for many that's all they think they need to do.
Step One – Show up.
Step Two – Do a good enough job that you don't get in trouble.
After the second step most people stop.
However those that seek greatness know there is a third step.
Step Three – Go the Extra Mile.
Going the extra mile is the difference between being average vs being the one of the top performers/athletes/musicians/businessmen in the world.
Really – it's that important.
As a business owner I can tell you it's frustrating to see employees drop everything as soon as it the clock says its quitting time vs taking an extra few minutes to properly close things up.
Parents suffer the same frustration when their kids only do the very minimum that they ask.
Which leads to my story in this video – Going The Extra Mile.
Please watch the below video to learn why I paid my son $5 on the spot for a chore he normally isn't paid for (hey – I'm old school – my kids have chores that contribute to the household!).
What does going the extra mile say about yourself?
When a man is trying to build a company, fulfill a dream or create a harmonious home it can be so frustrating to be surrounded by people who seem to not care in the slightest.
At the end of the day we want to be around people who show passion and really want to make a difference.
When you choose to go the extra mile it immediately shows you have initiative.
Going the extra mile shows you care about quality work, that you take responsibility seriously.
In a nutshell – it shows that you care!
I cannot stress this enough.
The one thing I have found in common in people who are at the top of their game is that they never stop when things are good enough.
They are always striving for perfection.
Doesn't matter if they are installing a roof, teaching five year olds to read, or running a multi-million dollar business.
Of course there will be times that if you do choose to go the extra mile other people will notice.
You may even be rewarded for it. Â A raise, a bonus, or a simple thank you.
However there will be more times than nought when you go the extra mile and no one else will see it.
But you know what?
Somebody will know.
And that somebody is YOU.
When you know that you did everything in your power -and then some- to make a difference then you can feel good knowing that you are cultivating a personal habit to success.
We all need to do our share to cultivate this excellent practice so I want to end this post with a challenge.
The next time you see someone going the extra mile – take a second to appreciate them.
Give them a bit of praise.
Give them a compliment.
Let them know that you noticed.
Studies actually show that if you take the time to give someone a compliment you actually end up feeling some of the elation yourself and really, who doesn’t want that?
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