Going the Extra Mile: Why Small Efforts Create Big Results
Introduction
Going the extra mile is a term that means putting in extra effort to achieve excellent results. It is an approach that is often adopted by successful people worldwide. It could mean giving a little more than is expected, following a process meticulously, or putting in an extra effort to succeed. Going the extra mile is a mindset – a way of life that requires hard work and determination. In this article, we will explore the reasons why small efforts create big results and why going the extra mile is crucial in achieving success.
Small Efforts Create Big Results
Many people believe that success is a product of significant efforts. However, this is not always the case as small efforts, when consistently applied, lead to significant results. For instance, if you work out for thirty minutes every day, it may not seem like a lot, but consistently doing it over time builds up muscle and strength. Similarly, small steps towards a goal every day eventually guarantee success. Therefore, people who desire success must learn to appreciate small efforts and take the necessary steps towards their goals. It often entails working diligently, persevering, and not giving up at any point in time. Successful people are those that embrace the small efforts and persistently strive towards their objectives with self-discipline.
Going the Extra Mile Pays Off
Going the extra mile signifies putting in discretionary effort to meet a particular objective. It involves doing more than is necessary by taking additional steps and putting in more effort to exceed expectations. Going the extra mile, therefore, means giving more time, more energy, or more money towards a particular goal. It is an approach that guarantees positive outcomes most times. To appreciate the impact of going the extra mile, consider circumstances where two people are working on the same project with one putting in the extra effort, while the other does only what is necessary. The individual who goes the extra mile will always stand out, and their outcomes will be better. Therefore, when someone aims to achieve significant results, going the extra mile is vital. It could mean learning more than is required, taking additional steps towards a particular objective, or having an excellent work ethic.
Why Going the Extra Mile is Crucial in Achieving Success
Going the extra mile is crucial in achieving success for a variety of reasons. Here are some important reasons why going the extra mile is a necessary step for success:
- Builds a Strong Work Ethic
- Stands Out
- Encourages Creativity
- Builds Trust
- Boosts Self Confidence
- Increases Opportunities
Going the extra mile creates a strong work ethic that is often driven by passion, commitment, and dedication. It means accepting that the outcome is more important than the effort and that to achieve success, it is necessary to put in the work. When someone goes the extra mile, they tend to excel in whatever they do as they take initiative, are highly proactive, and ensure their work is of high quality.
Someone who goes the extra mile stands out. When people see that someone is willing to go above and beyond to ensure a project is successful, they tend to respect and admire that person’s work ethic, dedication, and commitment. Going the extra mile gives people a competitive advantage, which makes them highly sought after by potential employers, business partners, and collaborators.
Going the extra mile encourages creativity as it involves taking innovative methods towards achieving one’s objectives. When someone is committed to their goals, they often find creative solutions to problems. Creativity is one of the most sought-after skills in the modern workforce, and companies value individuals who can think outside the box to solve problems.
Going the extra mile builds trust as it demonstrates that an individual is committed to their objectives, and they value the outcome over the effort. People tend to trust individuals who are committed and have shown a history of going the extra mile, as it shows that the person is responsible, reliable, and trustworthy.
Going the extra mile boosts self-confidence as it provides the validation that the hard work and dedication will always pay off. Individuals who adopt a going the extra mile approach demonstrate resilience, grit, and perseverance, and this cultivates self-confidence and a growth mindset.
Going the extra mile increases opportunities as it makes an individual highly sought after by potential employers, business partners, and collaborators. Individuals who have a history of going the extra mile tend to attract more opportunities that they might not have ordinarily discovered.
How to Go the Extra Mile
Going the extra mile involves taking deliberate actions to create excellent outcomes. Here are some tips for anyone wanting to go the extra mile:
- Develop a Growth Mindset
- Pay Attention to Detail
- Continuously Educate Yourself
- Develop Strong Relationships
- Be Creative
- Deliver on Time
Developing a growth mindset involves understanding that one’s intelligence, creativity, and skills can improve with effort and determination. When people adopt a growth mindset, they tend to be more resilient, adaptable, and better able to accept feedback and criticism.
Going the extra mile requires paying attention to detail. Details matter, and people who are meticulous tend to produce high-quality work. Paying attention to detail involves reviewing work numerous times, ensuring that all aspects of the work are consistent and that it is delivered on time.
Continuously educating oneself is crucial for going the extra mile. It involves reading books, attending seminars and conferences, and upskilling regularly. People who invest time and resources in educating themselves tend to be more knowledgeable, are better equipped to solve problems creatively, and uniquely stand out from their peers.
Developing strong relationships with peers, business partners, and collaborators is essential for going the extra mile. Strong relationships are built on trust, mutual respect, and shared goals. Therefore, it is essential to foster these relationships intentionally and consistently.
Being creative is crucial for going the extra mile. It involves considering non-traditional alternatives to solve problems or address specific challenges. Creative individuals are often sought after in the workforce, as companies desire individuals who can think outside the box and solve problems innovatively.
Delivering on time is an important aspect of going the extra mile. It involves ensuring that the work is delivered on or before the set deadline and that it meets all the required specifications. When someone delivers on time, it demonstrates that they are committed to the outcome, are responsible and dependable.
Conclusion
Going the extra mile is a mindset, a way of life that requires hard work, determination, and self-discipline. It is a crucial step towards achieving significant results and success in any endeavor. Small efforts create big results when consistently applied, and going the extra mile produces the competitive advantage that differentiates successful people from the rest. Therefore, anyone seeking to increase their chances of success must develop a growth mindset, pay attention to detail, continuously educate themselves, develop strong relationships, be creative and deliver on time, among other things. When these practices become a way of life, they pay off in the most significant ways.