Going the Extra Mile

There's a phrase that is certain to set someone up for failure: "going the extra mile." It is difficult to quantify what that mile is; especially in the metaphorical sense as it is applied to daily situations.

Working harder or longer is not a bad thing. The extra mile for you might be staying an hour later, or handling a project when no-one else would. But the meaning changes with the person, and their superiors. Is your extra mile as long as it needs to be? As silly as that sounds, it's true. How can we ever know if we are living up to the expectations of a boss? Ourself? There is no way to know. That's why I hate that phrase, especially when it is used in a business setting.

People will work until they die. Literally. I have this family member you see that keeps his nose to the grindstone. Works hard, doesn't slack off, and planned on enjoying his leisure years. As soon as he retired, he was dead.

What a waste.

Work is a beautiful thing. It supplies ourselves and others with invaluable goods and services, things that we could probably no longer live with, or at least live well with. But when your entire life becomes "the extra mile", you stop looking where you need to go, and simply focus on moving forward.

An extra mile, simply put, should be defined by you. Work is typically a group activity, or at least indirectly. I've said this before- it is pointless to work if you are not resting and enjoying your own life. If all you ever do is go the extra mile, you won't even be able to continue your career's journey. Only you know what you can and can't do. Don't let anyone tell you how to "go the extra mile" because what works for them, may not work for you. And that, my friend, is your discovery. And yours alone.

Reflections and Motivations

Reflection on a year that's come to pass can be a difficult thing, but it always should be done in business. Motivation is a constant, however, that needs to be maintained like any other useful tool. Using both together makes for a good plan that anyone can be empowered by.

Work is hard, man. It is. No matter what you're doing, no matter how much you love it, work is difficult. And there are many times during the year when we work that we would have liked to do something differently.

Mistakes are invaluable. When we look back on what we've done incorrectly, we typically learn from these situations and come out much wiser on the other side. Not everyone does this, nor does every business. At the end of a year, I like to reflect on good and bad decisions made during the year, not just in business! But for myself as well. I mean, you are working at your job, so your own personal well being and growth is important, too.

So that's why I make a very simple New Year's resolution. Every year it's the same thing, it's the same broad goal that can be easily measured by any means I wish. My resolution? "Be a better person." And let's strip morality, personal flaws, habits. Let's strip that all away and just focus on business. When you work, if you're miserable for whatever reason, your work suffers. As you come to terms with your flaws, you learn how to use what you're good at much better.

Today is New Year's Eve, so I'll keep this short. Party hard, party safe, work harder, and evolve. Evolve as a person, and your business will follow.

Have a happy, healthy New Year, and don't hate yourself for your mistakes. Learn from them!