To Be Better than Average you must GO THE EXTRA MILE

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“Success happens to those who are willing to put in the hours.” ​ - Alex Kassan 

There comes a time when you must do more than what is required to get what you want out of life.
The great part is, once you commit to doing it, going that extra mile isn't as difficult as you imagine.
For example, I'm on a mission to lose 20 pounds by the new year so I've begun working out pretty regularly.
The other day, while finishing up on the recumbent exercise bike I took notice of one of the motivational sayings recently painted on the walls of the exercise room of my apartment complex.
"Just 5 more minutes"
I mentally agreed "That's doable" and then set about to not only go five more minutes but even go a literal extra mile on the treadmill.

A determined person doesn't find it hard to succeed; they find it hard to stop trying." -  Allen Steble​

It was written by the poet Allen Steble, “A determined person doesn't find it hard to succeed; they find it hard to stop trying."
Odds are, your life could be significantly better if you committed to pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and harder than you ever have before. To have something you never had you have to do something you've never done. And if you want something really special, that means not only not giving up but going beyond the point where most people are satisfied. 
In order to create and live a better than average life you must develop the mindset which believes doing your best isn't good enough. You must do what it takes.

Often, our mental fortitude betrays us before our bodies do. We tell ourselves we can't, or even worse, that we don't want to. That it won't be worth it. But the question is, how would you know? You've made a decision based on a feeling of temporary discomfort rather than a passion for success. You've quit out of fear of what may not happen rather than pushing forward in confidence of what will happen if you don't quit. 

The simple fact of the matter is you simply can't expect extraordinary results from average efforts. - Jonathan McMillan

The simple fact of the matter is you simply can't expect extraordinary results from average efforts.
The average person lives a “less than life” which is unremarkable in every way. It's unfulfilling and unrewarding. This is largely due to they haven't ever gone the extra mile. They haven't ever been brave enough to decide what really matters to them and what they stand for. They haven't set any significant goals nor laid the plans to achieve them. They haven't evaluated the thoughts and behaviors they possess that may be limiting their chances of being successful. They haven't committed to breaking destructive habits and developing productive habits like turning off the TV and picking up a book.
They haven't done the extra ordinary work necessary to live an extraordinary life. 

In a world of mediocrity, the person who has a habit of going the extra mile stands out from the crowd."  - Jonathan McMillan

In a world of mediocrity, the person who has a habit of going the extra mile stands out from the crowd. Thus, opportunities come to them much more frequently. They are recognized and rewarded for being the leaders and the all-stars of their chosen occupations. Do they possess a talent or a gene that most other people lack? Most often the answer is no. The difference between these leaders and the average person is the fact that they taken the time and the discipline to develop the habit of doing more than what is simply required. 

Like Inspirational writer, Alex Kassan says “Success happens to those who are willing to put in the hours.” 

There is a difference between talent and skill. Natural talent is something one is born with that makes performing certain tasks intuitive and simple. Skill is the result of discipline, hard work, focus, drive and a willingness to do what others won't. Top performers -- successful people are not only willing to work harder to become skilled at their craft, they know it and accept it as part of the process. The extra mile isn't extra to them at all. It is simply the distance needed to travel to cross the finish line of success.

Be #BTA. Go the extra mile.