Are you a person who consistently goes the extra mile? Do you routinely over deliver on your promises? Think back on what happened to you last week. Did you encounter anyone who was willing to go the extra mile for you?

It's rare these days, which is why it's so powerful. A willingness to do more than expected is the hallmark of high achievers. They know that exceeding expectations helps them stand above the crowd.

It’s the difference between being average and being exceptional.

In her blog “10 Outstanding Examples of Going An Extra Mile in Customer Service”, Natalia Chrzanowska tells us that excellent customer service is the greatest merit a company can earn. Entrepreneurs who focus on their clients’ needs and seek opportunities to take customer service to the next level gain a strong competitive advantage in the market.

Napoleon Hill Thought of the Day post tells us, those who do more than they are paid for will sooner or later be willingly paid for more than they do.

The article goes on to explain that if you consistently do more than you are paid to do, you will eventually be compensated. This is true whether you are a professional, executive, hourly worker or an entrepreneur. If you give more and better service than those around you, customers will beat a path to your door and your boss will consider you irreplaceable.

In his book “The Success Principles”, Jack Canfield tells us to give something above and beyond what is expected. He says that if you really want to excel at what you do, you need to do more than is required.

To achieve exceptional success in business, school or life, give more than is expected. A business that goes the extra mile earns the respect, loyalty and referral of its customers.

Early in December the UpCloseTeam experienced what it means to have a company go the extra mile. While we were in San Diego attending the Darren Hardy High Performance Academy, we made arrangements to meet with staff at the Ken Blanchard Institute. From start to finish, they went above and beyond what we expected. They graciously picked us up on a Friday at 2:00 pm, which was a 30-minute drive from their location. They sent two staff members to greet us and they gave us a warm welcome. Everyone at the Ken Blanchard Institute was enthusiastic about our meeting with them. The CEO stopped by personally to welcome us and introduce himself. He expressed his gratitude that we would take the time to stop by. Our meeting ended at 6:00 pm on a Friday in mid-December. As we all know, December is a busy time for everyone, particularly on Friday evenings. Yet, after our meeting, a staff member took us out to a special kind of restaurant where we cooked our own food. Not only did we enjoy an excellent meal, but we also had a great experience. This is the kind of thoughtfulness and willingness to exceed expectations that gets noticed. After the meal, the staff member drove us to the Rancho Bernardo hotel, where we were gifted with a special guest rate that had been arranged on our behalf. The Ken Blanchard Institute definitely went the extra mile in many ways. We thank them for their generosity and thoughtfulness.

We agree with the Napoleon Hill Thought of the Day mentioned earlier. If you go beyond what you are asked to do, you will be noticed and you will be valued. Personal and financial rewards come to those who believe that the habit of going the extra mile is the only acceptable way to conduct yourself in all your dealings with others.

Call to Action

1. What extra mile will you give to your clients today? How will you go above and beyond? For ideas, check out the examples included in Natalia Chrzanowska’s blog. See what people and businesses are doing to make their customer service exceptional.
2. How can you apply some of these ideas to the way that you work and the way that you live your life?

The best is yet to come. It starts with you.

Your friends,
The UpCloseTeam