Regardless of your means to make a living, do you go above and beyond? Do you perform only what is required of you? In this day and time, people try to do the least as possible but expect more in return. The difference in being successful and unsuccessful is what one is willing to do to reach their goal. Going above and beyond is a choice that you make. Going above and beyond shows your dedication to your cause. Going above and beyond will inspire imagination. Sometimes, going above and beyond is the right thing to do but it is still your decision.
When we do more than what is required of us, we receive more than what we gave. When we do more than what is required of us, we automatically do it in a pleasing manner. We are not forcing ourselves to do it. Our disposition to others comes across as sincere and heartfelt because it is. We truly want to help. We are more than willing to do everything in our power to resolve an issue even if it means going above and beyond.
I have had several situations in my career as a Plant Engineer where I went above and beyond. In all of the situations, what I did was not my responsibility. An example: I was sitting in my office and the phone rang. It was a customer who was trying to locate their package. The initial problem I recognized in talking to them was that they were calling the wrong package center. They gave me the tracking information for their package. I looked it up on my company’s website. I located the package and then called the package center while they were still holding on the other line. Once I spoke with person that could give them specific information on when the package would be delivered, I hit the conference button and added the customer on the line. A couple of hours later, I checked to see if the package had been delivered and it was. It felt good that I was instrumental in providing a solution to a customer firsthand when typically I would never interact with them. I could have easily passed the buck. I could have simply pointed them in the direction of where they needed to go. I did not do that. I took the time to help them resolve a situation that was important to them. I made the phone calls for them. I investigated for information on the Internet. I personally made sure that they spoke to the person that would help them and then followed up to make sure their situation was resolved. You can never lose sight on who is your customer.
In my personal life, I have gone above and beyond to help a stranger and a friend. An example: I was at the gas station. A car pulled up and a father and son were looking for a local high school to attend a sports camp. I gave them directions but I realized that I should have told them to go left instead of right. I got in my car and caught up with them. I explained my error and had them to follow me. I could have easily not cared because I did give them directions. It was just not correct. I wanted to make sure that I did all I could to help. Some call it “paying it forward”. For me, the satisfaction of being part of a solution is enough.
In business, I have seen a decline in good customer service. No matter what you do, you have a customer. We tend to be quick to say, “It’s not my problem”. Yet in business, the only reason why you are there is because of the customer. If the customer does not buy your product or service, you will not be in business. Every link in your business chain depends on one another. The old saying “you are as strong as your weakest link” is always true. Your weakest link could be how you view your customers, internal and external. In life, we coexist with one another. At some point, we will have to depend on the assistance of one another. For both cases, going above and beyond reveals what matters most to us.
I challenge you today to go above and beyond. Pay close attention to the impact it will have on your life.