lost
our way to the hotel. After going in circles we stopped at a few places to
seek directions. One or two had no clue. Yet others gave us tips that
confused us more. But one gentleman took time to give us clear directions
supported with a clear sketch. Here was a person prepared to go that extra
mile to help a couple of strangers in a spot.
Every day we come across plenty of opportunities to ‘go the extra mile’. We
just need to keep our eyes and hearts open to extend aid that may not cost
us much but makes a difference to those who seek our help. Sadly however, we
often remain indifferent to the needs of others or even sneer at them.
Instead, if we cultivate the habit of ‘going that extra mile’ and make it
the norm rather than the exception, the very quality of life will be
transformed. That is what men and women of substance and compassion did to
bring solace to millions of less privileged ones in society by sparing their
energy and wealth for a lifetime of humanitarian service.
On a more sentimental plane, we see mothers revealing this quality in their
bonding with their children from the day the new born arrives and makes
heavy demands on her time and attention. She has no second thoughts about
going the extra mile to keep her baby safe and cosy. She maintains this
special care and love even when the baby grows into a teenager and beyond.
Going the extra mile can also be termed ‘going beyond the call of duty’. We
know how members of the defence forces, police officers and fire fighters go
beyond the call of duty and risk their lives to save other lives. I remember
reading about the band members on the sinking Titanic who stayed on to play
spiritually calming tunes to the passengers waiting anxiously to be rescued
on to the limited number of life boats. These too were prepared to walk that
extra mile even at that moment of peril and tragedy.
Napoleon Hill, the American motivational thinker and writer analysed in
depth lives of successful men like Ford, Edison and Carnegie and concluded
that their achievements were the result of certain positive patterns of
behaviour. He mentions willingness to “Go the extra mile’ as one of the most
important principles of success. He highlighted the various benefits of such
an attitude with profuse illustrations and anecdotes.
In a pragmatic context it can mean greater success at work in terms of
better monetary compensation, promotions and recognition. Going the extra
mile consistently is what separates high-achievers from those struggling to
find their way.
He points out that the American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew
Carnegie had a knack of identifying and nurturing several successful leaders
of industry. The first test he applied was by determining to what extent the
employee was willing to go the extra mile. Initially, he applied this
principle as a matter of sound economics. But later on, it became for him a
philosophy of ethics and sympathy for the weak and the unfortunate.
Going the extra mile even once will create a sense of accomplishment that
will encourage us to repeat the action time and again. That will bring joy
to others and greater joy and satisfaction to us. Hence let’s go ahead and
give it a try.
Quotes:
n Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey that never
ends.
— Brian Tracy
n The Extra Mile will have no traffic jams. — Anon