The Extra Mile: Why Fulfillment Follows Effort

In transportation, traveling the extra mile generally means that you have missed your exit, may be late to your next delivery and just cost yourself additional money in unnecessary fuel. If you ever witness a truck driver attempting make an exit, can’t merge in time and see him or her screaming and pointing their finger out the window (hopefully index) that is why! Be kind and let them exit. For most of us though, traveling the extra mile means doing things above and beyond an expectation. Doing things for others that stand out and have substantial meaning or value.

Recently, I have listened to a few audio books and chronicles from Napoleon Hill and his work with Andrew Carnegie, the industrial steel tycoon of the late 19th century. Carnegie believed that the extra mile was one, if not THE, most important principle in living a rich and fulfilled life. He believed doing additional acts of service above and beyond an expectation in any role or setting brought undeniable value to a person or business that you serve. More importantly it brought your own fulfillment or happiness in life.   

Imagine gazing around your office or workplace. You may or may not see two types of people working depending on how close you are to them. The first group are employees or colleagues that generally work hard, arrive and depart on time and may have even developed efficiencies and skillsets in their work allowing them to do more. Many of these employees though may find themselves unhappy, unfulfilled and wanting more from their workplace and often times this carries over in to their personal life. The problem for many is that they don’t know where to start and sometimes it simply takes a good leader, friend or coach to open this door to show them their potential. The second group are employees or colleagues performing at exceptionally high levels with a key difference which is their attitude and passion behind their work. These employees not only focus on executing at high levels, but they also find ways to improve every aspect of their job as well as the jobs of others around them. This is a clear example of going the extra mile and generally these employees are happier.

Carnegie’s point of view was that if you give an employee an opportunity to learn, to develop and to grow it is up to that employee to self-reflect on answering the questions: How hard am I willing to work for what I want? How much am I willing to self-develop? Will I travel the extra mile to improve things for those people around me? His approach to answering these questions was that he tested his employees to gain an understanding of their passion, motivations, skillsets and would later greatly reward this group of over achievers with promotions and rewards for traveling that extra mile. Not only were they successful with their work, Carnegie believed people lived happier more fulfilled lives.

I like the saying, “The extra mile is never crowded” To me that means, when you do the extra things beyond expectations, there aren’t many people on this road with you.  If you find yourself unhappy personally or professionally, if you have experienced failed interviews or missed promotions, if you find that your work isn’t challenging or enjoyable, my advice to you is to reflect on this philosophy and ask yourself, am I doing everything that I can do to help those people around me? Am I investing time in myself to develop knowledge and practical experience? Am I traveling the extra mile? This mindset shift changed everything for me and if you struggle with any of these questions, I believe it can for you too.

PAII