Do a little extra

I’ve been for another swim today. I didn’t have any problems getting to the pool, like last night, and the pool was open when I got there. I think everyone else was either still in work, at home or in the pub watching the football. I’m not keen, so I didn’t mind missing it. Those in work, who were allowed to watch it, have to pay back the time in their own time. To me, the option didn’t even need to be asked. I work the hours I work and no more. I go in early in the morning (mainly because I can’t judge the traffic) but start working as soon as I get there. Woe betide me if I’m a minute late. It’s recorded on my file for a whole year. Funny how they don’t take the earlies into consideration though, isn’t it? Anyway, I’m not writing this to moan about work. And this is a funny start about a post on doing a little extra!

One thing that I always find, is that if I do a little extra in whatever I’m doing, I will always receive some kind of benefit from doing it. Like work – if I work overtime, I receive more money. OK, work probably isn’t the best option to use, as I always do my best and try to do as much as I can to accomplish things, sometimes going that extra step to complete my task. Although I don’t get any kind of recognition for doing this, I do get the knowledge that I have achieved it myself. And that is the most important thing really – it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about me – if they’ve got a problem, it’s their’s to get over. I’ve done my job thank you very much, and I’m proud of what I’ve done. On a similar note, I have also gained the experience of doing what I have done, which will help me, and the company, in the future.

So doing a little extra is really a good thing. It doesn’t really matter who you do the extra for – it’s the doing it that’s the main thing. It doesn’t even matter what the extra is… you will receive an enormous sense of gratification for doing it, well I do anyway.

Tonight, at swimming, I swam 42 lengths in about 40 minutes. Not as quick as yesterday, but definitely further. I feel really good about that. I must beat that tomorrow though. I always set myself a target to beat the total of lengths from the day before. I don’t just go and swim – I need the target. I need something to reach for. I need to better myself. I need to go that little extra every day for the satisfaction of doing it. And for the good I am doing for my body as well!

So, whenever you can, always do a little extra…