3 Reasons Why Going The Extra Mile At Work Is Worth it

Success doesn’t come overnight; it begins with taking the extra mile.  

All of us are struggling to just make it through life. Whether it’s for work, our goals or our social life, we tend to put in the bare minimum effort it takes to get by. But, this “getting by” mindset can be crippling, it stops you from achieving your big goals and can prevent you from living a fulfilling life.  

Doing the bare-minimum might seem like the easiest way to get through the hurdles that you currently face but it’s not a long-term plan. We live in a world that is competitive and to stay ahead of your competition, you need to put in the extra effort. A great way to set a good impression to your boss or peers is to give more than people expect to get.  

This takes me back to a time when I got hired for one of my gigs (here’s 3 best remote side-gigs in Singapore) by going the extra mile. I had seen an opening for a freelance writing position in a company that I liked and decided to try for it. I was still new to the field and did not have much experience. The company’s boss had required me to write an article based on a theme given to me before he made his decision on whether to hire me.  

There was no deadline for this task, so, I decided I would submit as soon as possible. I quickly typed out the article and sent it within the day he had requested. Unfortunately, the boss required some edits to my article. Within a span of 5 days, the boss asked me to edit the same article over and over again.  

Mind you, I wasn’t being paid for writing this article – it was just a test run. Yet, I continued to give my best each time he made me rewrite and got back to him as soon as possible. Finally, he did hire me after he approved of my article and writing style.  

One day, I decided to ask him why he chose to hire me. He told me that he had several qualified applicants as well, but he hired me because I responded the quickest and was very willing to learn his writing style. It was then that I realized that putting in the extra effort will be worth it.  

So, if you’re looking to score the job of your dreams, it’s time to start going the extra mile. 

Why should you put in the extra effort?  

1. Stand Out in the Crowd

If you find yourself in a similar position as I was in, going the extra mile could help you secure your dream job. Most job applications have several qualified and hungry candidates, the only way to stand out in the crowd is to show effort that sets you apart from the others.  

I had a friend who applied for a job opening in a prestigious marketing agency in Singapore. While she was qualified for the role on paper, there were about 100 other applicants for the job. Knowing that she wanted to stand out from the crowd, she did prior research about the company and came up with a 5-year plan for the company’s marketing strategy. The company was so impressed by her plan that they hired her on the same day she got interviewed!  

Putting in the extra effort to impress people will definitely be useful for you in the long-run. It sets a good impression and shows that you are capable and serious about the task.  

2. Boost Your Career

Going the extra mile at work will show your colleagues and boss that you are serious about the job. Meaning that when the promotion comes along, you could be a great candidate!  

Here’s how you can show that you are willing to put the extra effort at work. When given a project, give it your all. You can do this by asking questions, clarifying what exactly is required of you and showing that you are interested in your interested in executing your tasks well. You can also look for additional tasks at work to display your initiative and willingness to learn.  

Giving your best at work – especially when you’re just starting off – will boost your career tremendously.  

3. Self-Improvement

Another reason why you should constantly give your best is to ensure that you continue growing. Getting too comfortable with your own routine can prevent you from reaching your goals and ambitions.  

Pushing yourself beyond your boundaries can help you pick up new skills and experiences. In one of my previous jobs, I was hired as a writer. But I knew that I wanted to push myself beyond that role. So, I asked my boss to bring along for shoots when they would film videos. Going this extra mile, helped me grow as I was able to learn new skills about production that I previously did not have.  

In this sense, going the extra mile doesn’t always have to be intimidating or tiring. It could benefit you tremendously as well. 

I hope this article gives you the inspiration you need to continue pushing yourself in the workplace. You never know what you’re capable of until you try.

Check out our career guidance page for more useful lifestyle and career tips!   

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