How to Go the Extra Mile
Get out of the hamster wheel and do what matters.
Today marks this newsletter’s second birthday. I’m grateful to you for letting me into your inbox each week, and for the clarity of thought the writing has brought me.
From the beginning, I wanted The Extra Mile to help business leaders scale up their positive impacts on their customers, teammates, families, and communities – because each great business truly has a ripple effect.
You don’t get to make that kind of impact by hustling harder, working more, or adding to dos to your list. To me, going the extra mile is about staying curious, maintaining your motivation, and pushing past “good enough” to build something outstanding - a legacy to be proud of.
Going the Extra Mile
While others might let their best intentions gather dust while they react to the latest false emergency, going the extra mile means taking thoughtful action and keeping your destination in focus.
You can’t build a standout business without making hard choices.
Here are 10 ways to go the extra mile, that make the difference between an average business and a great one.
While others might look for shortcuts, you are committed to going the distance. You surround yourself with like-minded people who push you to new heights.
Others don’t question “the way we’ve always done it” - but you keep experimenting and innovating. You’re curious, and you don’t let the fear of failure keep you stagnant.
You don’t wait for motivation to strike. Instead, you show up with discipline. You know the more consistent you are, the more consistent your results will be.
Where others chase distractions, you know the best surfers wait for the right wave and the best baseball hitters don’t swing for a bad pitch…. You know how to say no, and and you often do.
You never settle for “good enough”. You take pride in your craft, and seek to build your business mastery.
The crowd might believe that everyone is broke and it’s totally normal to be anxious and overwhelmed - but you’re not listening. You’re building the business that works for your life, not theirs.
While others drift on autopilot, you take full ownership of your thoughts and actions. You curate positive self-talk, pay attention to how you spend your time, and lean into the routines and rituals that keep you healthy.
You know your business results don’t define you as a person, so you don’t let comparisons to others steal your joy.
You take action before you’re completely prepared, because you know that’s how you start to build momentum.
You seek constant and never-ending improvement by refining what’s already working. You know there’s always another level.
This Week’s Takeaway
Not everyone is willing to go the extra mile to build an outstanding business, but those who do will find freedom on the other side.
Take a moment to remember what motivates you to keep going, especially in those moments it would feel easier to stop.
Last Call: Free Webinar on July 17th
How to Stay in Touch (Without Being Annoying)
Register here
A Toolkit to Re-Engage With Your Database
The Business Owner’s Playbook
Read it here
Reset: By Dan Heath
If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to change the way you work, this book offers a practical perspective. It outlines finding smart, targeted ways to create momentum without massive overhauls. Dan backs this up with memorable stories and useful insights into how small shifts can lead to big results.
