Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury
Arthur Murray Santa Monica
The principal of Going the Extra Mile. From the book from 1937, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
The Principal of Going the Extra Mile is the fourth principle of the 17 Principles of Personal Achievement, organized by Napoleon Hill.
Definition: Rendering more service and better service than you are required to render, and doing it all the time and doing it in a pleasing and positive mental attitude.
I highly recommend this book and I recommend reading it in the latest, most updated version.
In my life with Arthur Murray, I have met, I have known, I do know, or I am friends with people who are “Extra Milers”. They are all incredible people. They are all self-starters. To know someone who goes the extra mile is a life-changing experience.
You know from the moment you meet them that they are unforgettable. There is an electric energy about them. They have a sparkle in their eyes, a smile on their face, a song in their heart and laughter in their voice. They offer a greeting, give help, share a chuckle, and they make you feel welcome from the get-go.
An extra-miler remembers your name and says it several times. They remember YOU!
In my 48 years with Arthur Murray, I have, and continue to know the best self-starters and motivators in the world. They don’t just go the extra mile, they laid out the road, paved it and put up the signs. They made the maps and posted the directions to successes in life.
They are always in the front. When someone asks for a volunteer, they throw up their hand and shout, “I’ll do that”. They are on every speaking panel, they are the planners, the doers, the organizers.
It’s so funny. During the darkest days of the pandemic, I always saw the “extra milers” posting positive thoughts and sayings. They were the ones online making it happen. Then, after the lockdown, they were the first ones back on top again. They remained as the true visionaries and the self-starters.
I love being around the idea creators, dreamers, the ones full of vision, hope and visions. I am drawn to them and I love being with them. There are many people I love to talk to and create with. They are so fantastic that when chatting with them, I must have a pen and paper because the ideas are flowing so freely. Their enthusiasm, wisdom and energy are infectious.
I keep a sheet next to me as I type. It is my daily to do sheet that is always on my desk. It is never without tasks, and I am always striving to finish the 10 or so priorities on that list daily. This list does not include the hectic daily activities that constantly rush my way, but I know that this is the “extra mile” list. It’s the list of things to do that make a special difference in our school and in the lives of my partner, our staff and our students.
I’d rather always be so busy that I feel as if I’m going crazy than to live in worry. My crazy days at Arthur Murray fly by. I never remember the hard work, I just am amazed by how much we accomplished and how much fun it all was and how quickly the day passed.
So, why do I love being a dreamer and an “extra miler”? Is it truly for the “riches” of Think and Grow Rich? Why yes of course.
Rich in Accomplishments
Rich in Satisfaction
Rich in Confidence
Rich in Happiness
Rich in Friendships
Rich in Peace of Mind
Rich in Energy and Dreams
Rich in Hope for the Future
This list of “riches” can go on and on, and it does. Make your own list of your riches in life.
I learned when my first long-time partner died, that we take nothing with us when we pass. We only leave behind the legacy of our lives. We leave behind the memories we have created with others.
After 22 years past Jim’s death, I still experience, share, relive, talk about, remember all the “extra mile” qualities he left behind. I hope I will be remembered for the extra I brought to others in their lives in future years.
Thanks for “going the extra mile” and reading this blog.
Thanks for reading.
David Woodbury