Develop the habit of going the extra mile Meaning Factcheck Usage
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You know, “Develop the habit of going the extra mile” is one of those simple ideas that seems obvious, but almost no one actually does it consistently. And that’s precisely why it’s so powerful. It’s not about grand, one-off gestures; it’s about the small, daily disciplines that compound into a massive career advantage.

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Meaning

The core message is brutally simple: consistent, voluntary effort beyond what is required is the ultimate competitive edge.

Explanation

Look, here’s the thing I’ve seen over and over. Most people operate in the “minimum viable effort” zone. They do just enough to not get fired. But the extra mile? That’s the land of opportunity. It’s where you send that one follow-up email no one else bothers with. It’s where you stay 15 minutes late to perfect a slide deck. It’s the unpaid, unasked-for research you do that gives you a unique insight in a meeting. This isn’t about burning out. It’s about leverage. That tiny bit of extra work has an outsized return. It builds a reputation. It builds trust. And it separates you from the 95% of people who are just clocking in and out. It’s the habit that makes you indispensable.

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguageEnglish (3668)
CategoryCareer (192)
Topicseffort (77), habits (85), success general (86)
Literary Stylesimple (291)
Emotion / Moodinspiring (392)
Overall Quote Score77 (179)
Reading Level50
Aesthetic Score72

Origin & Factcheck

This wisdom comes straight from Brian Tracy’s 2001 book, Get Paid More and Promoted Faster. While the *concept* of extra effort is ancient, Tracy packaged it into this memorable, actionable principle for the modern professional. You sometimes see it misattributed to other motivational figures, but the specific phrasing is his.

Attribution Summary

ContextAttributes
AuthorBrian Tracy (375)
Source TypeBook (4032)
Source/Book NameGet Paid More and Promoted Faster (58)
Origin TimeperiodContemporary (1615)
Original LanguageEnglish (3668)
AuthenticityVerified (4032)

Author Bio

Brian Tracy, a prolific author gained global reputation because of his best seller book list such as Eat That Frog!, Goals!, and The Psychology of Selling, and created influential audio programs like The Psychology of Achievement. He is sought after guru for personal development and business performance. Brian Tracy International, coaches millions of professionals and corporates on sales, goal setting, leadership, and productivity.
Official Website |Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube |

Where is this quotation located?

QuotationDevelop the habit of going the extra mile. It will put you ahead of most people
Book DetailsPublication Year/Date: 2002; ISBN: 978-1576751985; Last edition: 2002, Berrett-Koehler Publishers; Number of pages: 208.
Where is it?Chapter: Extra Effort; Approximate page from 2002 edition

Authority Score91

Context

In the book, this isn’t just fluffy advice. Tracy positions it as a non-negotiable strategy for career acceleration. He’s talking to ambitious people who feel stuck and are looking for a practical, controllable lever to pull to change their trajectory, framing it as a direct path to higher pay and faster advancement.

Usage Examples

So how does this actually look in the wild? Let me give you a couple of real-world scenarios.

For a Sales Rep: Instead of just sending a generic proposal, you record a personalized 90-second Loom video walking the client through the three most relevant points. That’s the extra mile. It takes five minutes and makes you unforgettable.

For a Project Manager: You notice a potential risk no one has flagged. Instead of just noting it, you come to the meeting with two potential mitigation strategies already sketched out. You’re not just identifying problems; you’re bringing solutions.

For a Marketer: Everyone is using the same market data. You go the extra mile by finding one unique, proprietary data point through a niche survey or an unconventional source. Suddenly, your entire campaign has a unique angle.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeAdvice (652)
Audiencesemployees (92), entrepreneurs (1006), students (3111), trainers (231)
Usage Context/Scenariocareer seminars (26), employee development workshops (1), goal motivation sessions (1), training programs (31)

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Motivation Score90
Popularity Score81
Shareability Score83

FAQ

Question: Isn’t this just a way to get exploited and do more work for the same pay?

Answer: It’s a fair concern. The key is strategic extra effort. You’re not just doing more grunt work. You’re doing visible, high-impact work that builds your personal brand and skills. This is about making yourself more valuable, not just more busy.

Question: How do you avoid burnout from constantly going the extra mile?

Answer: You have to be selective. You can’t do it on every single task. Pick your battles. Focus that extra energy on the projects and for the people that matter most for your growth. It’s a habit, not a 24/7 mandate.

Question: What if my extra effort goes completely unnoticed?

Answer: Sometimes it will. But that’s okay. The primary benefit is the skill and discipline you build in *yourself*. However, if it’s consistently unnoticed, it might also be a sign about the culture of your workplace, which is valuable data in itself.

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