To go the extra mile is a phrase and encouragement we learn from Jesus of Nazareth. In the early days, Roman soldiers occupied the Holy Land in order to squelch any rebellious efforts by the local Jewish citizens. These Roman soldiers were afforded certain privileges. One such privilege was the right to stop an able-bodied, non-Roman male citizen and order this individual to carry the soldier’s heavy equipment for a maximum distance of 1,000 paces or “mille passus” which is the Latin phrase for where we get the word “mile.”

After traveling that mile with a Roman soldier, the man could set the equipment down as his obligation was fulfilled. From that point, the Roman soldier could carry the equipment himself or enlist the help of another non-Roman male citizen. Should a man refuse to carry the equipment when ordered, he could be arrested and sent to prison. Not surprisingly, people avoided the duty whenever they could.

Imagine the shock and surprise they felt when Jesus told his followers not to just go one mile as was the law, but go an extra mile just because. Jesus was introducing a major paradigm shift. Going beyond a simple obligation, responsibility or commitment is a form of exceptionalism not many are accustomed to. Leaders who do so will capture the attention and devotion of others.

Set the Pace

As author Robert Brault wrote, “If you feel you are down on your luck, check the level of your effort.” Getting out in front of the competition is the best way to capture committed customers and clients. Staying in front of the competition requires dedicated effort, a commitment to excellence, and the willingness to learn new things.

Set Yourself Apart

Hard work and dedication is what’s sets people apart from the competition. Reaching the highest pinnacle of success doesn’t come from the lowest amount of effort. Stephen C. Hogan may have said it best, “You can’t have a million-dollar dream with a minimum-wage work ethic.”

Go Beyond the Required Minimum Standards

There is a difference between a job done and a job well done. That difference is a commitment to excellence. While some customers may settle for receiving just enough, fiercely devoted customers become so due to the service provider’s overwhelming and ridiculous dedication to providing exceptional customer satisfaction.

“If a man is called a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and Earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.