If you want to be successful and grow, you will need to be willing to do what others aren’t. Because then and only then will you be able to set yourself apart from the rest. Like Jerry Rice says, “Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.”
One of my favorite quotes is "Go the Extra Mile: It's never crowded." It is so easy to do the little things in life that will set you apart... but it's easy NOT to do them too. Many times it's the smallest little details that will set you apart from the rest and set you up for success.
Think of Olympic athletes for example. They are at the top of their game because they do more than what’s expected of them. They go above and beyond the call of duty and what's simply "required."
Successful people look for ways to add value. They are resourceful. If they run out of work to do, they find out what more they can do to add value to the people around them. They do things without being asked. They are on the lookout for opportunities.
Thomas Edison once said, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
Here are 12 basic tips to help you go above and beyond:
Attitude: Always have an attitude of adaptability and a focus on learning. Staying the same means you're not growing. So adopt a positive mindset for learning and growth and it will set you apart from the rest.
Refuse to Be Average: Successful people stand out from the crowd because they refuse to be average and to simply go with the flow.
Deliver Great Service: Go above and beyond for your customers. Do more than expected. Take a moment to identify the last time you were impressed about a company’s service. What made them stand out? How can you do more than expected for your clients?
Anticipate Needs: Being resourceful and understanding what other people need is always appreciated.
Bring Your Ideas to the Table: Be prepared, innovative, and dedicated to constant improvement.
Reliability: Do what you say you are going to do. If you cannot do something, or you'll be late, just communicate it clearly ahead of time. Never miss deadlines and then make excuses.
Go Out of your Way: See what you can do to make it happen instead of just replying, “Sorry, I can’t do that.” When you show this kind of commitment—everyone will notice.
Have a Sense of Achievement — Having a sense of accomplishment in the work that one does will always help you want to do more, and avoid feeling burnt out.
Be Enthusiastic: Bringing a sense of energy, enthusiasm and excitement to your work will always help others feel drawn to you and your business.
Volunteer: Never tell someone that something isn't your job. By volunteering your time to do something out of your regular job scope, you stand out and get to know different people or learn different skills.
Be a Go-Getter: This doesn't necessarily mean doing more work, it could also mean doing work of higher quality.
Have Vision and Goals: Remind yourself of where you want to be and what you’re doing to get there. Having milestones along the way is a good reminder of our success and why we are striving to perform.
If you want to be successful and be able to influence more change, especially in your career, follow these 12 tips for success. I know they seem so simple but adopting this positive mindset and attitude will take you far.
Want more growth tips to help you in business? Check out my blog post, Basics For Building Strong Clients Relationships, and remember to stand out and strive to do the things that others aren't willing to do, to become the person you are meant to become.