Something wise(-ish)

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If you’ve been listening to the show for a while, then you know that I’m a big believer in going above and beyond at work.
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There’s no better way to develop a great reputation, build strong relationships and prove that you’re earning your keep than by delivering on your responsibilities and then some.

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It’s also a powerful strategy for sowing the seeds for a promotion.
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But there’s a caveat to the principle that you should always go the extra mile at work.

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And that caveat is:
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You should go above and beyond until you realize that you will not be rewarded in some meaningful way for your investment.

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Now, that reward could be money.

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It could be a title.

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It could be validation.

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It could be power or influence.

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Or it could be growing and learning for your own sake.

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You get to decide what makes something rewarding.

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But if you’re not getting any of these forms of compensation — or they’re no longer valuable to you — then it’s time to consider just how much to go above and beyond.
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Because yes, employers can take advantage of you, and it’s crucial to realize when that’s happening.

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That’s when you pull back.

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Or push back.
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Or, in some cases, decide to leave.
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All of these choices are totally fair.
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But they’re much fairer after going above and beyond and seeing how your organization responds to your hard work.

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So if you’re struggling to decide whether to go the extra mile in your career…​
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Start by going above and beyond and see what you get back.

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If the rewards you receive are valuable to you, keep going.

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If they’re not, then reconsider.
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Along the way, keep checking in with yourself about what you need to make your investment worthwhile.
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But don’t refuse to go the extra mile because you’re assuming that people won’t reward you appropriately.

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That’s a great way to shoot yourself in the foot and create the very outcome you fear the most.

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And if you’re interested in hearing how this idea played out in a listener’s life…​
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Check out episode #1,059, where we took a question from a restaurant cook who was torn between giving her restaurant her all and protecting herself from being taken advantage of.

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On that episode, we talked about how to balance a generous investment in an employer with healthy self-interest.
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We also talked about how knowing your needs and values is essential to being generous while still being responsible.
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Have you found this principle to be true in your world? Struggling to make use of it?​
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Hit reply and tell me about it. I’m all ears!

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On the show this past week

​1077: Michael Arndt | The Oscar-Winning Science of Storytelling​

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​1078: House Repairs Laggin’ While He’s Off the Wagon | Feedback Friday​

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​1079: Noise Pollution | Skeptical Sunday​

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