Going the Extra Mile

As your inner strength increases and you begin to feel more in control of your actions, begin upping the intensity of your efforts too. The stronger and more powerful you feel, the more you’ll be able to handle. (Again, this is only after you begin to notice some real momentum from your smaller initial efforts.) 

The funny thing about progress is that we are often much closer to the finish line than we think. It’s our own thoughts, fears, doubts, beliefs and expectations that make the destination seem so small and far away. If we buy into this illusion, we’ll give up on the home stretch – not realizing that the finish line is just over the next rise!

Make a promise to yourself right now that you will go the extra mile. Vow to go the extra mile especially if you start to lose hope. One of my all-time favorite quotes holds a great deal of wisdom about continuing despite lack of progress or loss of hope:

➤ “When you get in a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe It’s amazing how often that sentiment ends up being true. Just when we’re ready to give up is when we need to push even harder because the tide is beginning to turn! Remember that as you work on pushing your limits. Copy that quote down and hang it where you will see it each day. Let it inspire you and encourage you when you need it the most.

What else can you do if you start feeling despondent? 

➤ Break it down. Remember, feelings of hopelessness, frustration or despondency are frequently caused by trying to take on too much too soon. If you break down larger goals into smaller ones and focus on taking small, attainable actions more frequently, you will create a nice steady momentum. 

➤ Take a break. If you start feeling overwhelmed, it’s time to focus on something else! Taking a break is NOT the same thing as quitting. Sometimes you just need to step away from the intensity of change. Take a few hours to do something you enjoy. Call a friend and invite him or her to lunch. Knock off for the day and go to bed early. Even a short break is enough to recharge your batteries, refresh your perspective and renew your commitment.

➤ Keep affirming that you’re almost there. Remember that your perspective can often work against you, fooling you into believing that you’re never going to reach your destination. Don’t let an illusion trick you. Create your own beneficial illusion. Keep imagining the goal waiting just around the next corner. Keep telling yourself, “I’m almost there, just a few more steps. I can take a few more steps.” Tell yourself that often enough and you’ll begin to believe it – and create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Going the extra mile is more of a symbolic sentiment than a physical one. It’s about giving your absolute best effort and not investing in excuses. It’s about trusting yourself to know when it’s time to step back or push forward. More than anything, it’s about developing the insight and determination to make each of your actions focused and life-altering in very positive ways. If you can do that, you will be able to melt any self-limitation with the white-hot heat of purpose.