Go the Extra Mile

DO MORE THAN THE MINIMUM

The extra mile requires extra initiative, because more effort is required of you if you are to do more than the minimum.  This week we build on last week’s theme of moving from mediocre to excellent.
 
The distance between someone who achieves their goals consistently and those who spend their lives and careers merely following - is “the extra mile”.
 
“Our brightest blazes are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.”

– Samuel Johnson

Do More Than the Minimum
Some great distinctions and personal operating rules to live by:
 
I will do more than belong - I will participate.
I will do more than care - I will help.
I will do more than believe - I will practice.
I will do more than be fair - I will be kind.
I will do more than forgive - I will forget.
I will do more than dream - I will write down my goals.
I will do more than write down my goals - I will work to achieve my goals.
I will do more than teach - I will inspire.
I will do more than earn - I will enrich.
I will do more than give - I will serve.
I will do more than live - I will grow.
I will do more than suffer - I will triumph.
I will do more than the minimum - I will go the extra mile.
 
One day about 10 years ago, my wife - Cindy ran out of gas in the car she was driving, as she was trying to get to the bank by 2PM (a topic for another day about banks needing to do more than the minimum).  Her car stalled and stopped in the middle of a busy road.  Already a little stressed, trying to beat the bank’s insane cutoff for “today’s deposits”, the car predicament added mightily to her tension level.
 
Adjacent to where the car stopped was Joe Jacoby’s Chrysler and Jeep Dealership in Warrenton, VA.  Cindy walked over to their showroom to she if she could get some help.  Dan Wilkerson, a sales rep was the first one that saw Cindy and greeted her and heard the story.  He immediately offered his assistance.  He grabbed a gas can, got his car keys and off they went to the gas station.  But on the way, he first turned into the Bank drive-through so Cindy could make the 2PM cutoff.  Then they proceeded to the gas station, Dan filled the can, then he filled the car, and then he stopped traffic while Cindy got the car out of harms way.
 
All together, Dan probably spent 45 minutes helping Cindy get to the bank on time, get the car re-fueled and on her way.  WOW - talk about going the extra mile.  With no expected reward, or requirement to do so, Dan went above and beyond.
 
Just so happens, that over the past 10 years we have purchased a total of 3 vehicles.  Who do you suppose we dealt with every time?  With integrity, extra effort, and kindness, Dan won our business for life, when he wasn’t even trying to sell us anything.

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” 

- Jimmy Johnson
 
DAILY PRAYER  
Jesus was the first one to talk about going the extra mile in His Sermon on the Mount.  Father, may we heed those wise words from your Son and always take the little extra time to go the extra mile.  In Jesus name, Amen.
 
Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance.  Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations.
 
Grace and peace multiplied to you.