One of the precepts of the Golden Rule is to “go the extra mile.” Many of the greatest writers expound on this precept. Napoleon Hill tells of a young man who benefited by the habit of “Going the extra mile.”

Many years ago an elderly lady was strolling through a Pittsburgh department store, obviously killing time. She passed counter after counter without anyone paying any attention to her. All of the clerks had spotted her as an idle “looker” who had no intention of buying. They made it a point of looking in another direction when she stopped at their counters.

What costly business this neglect turned out to be!

Finally the lady came to a counter that was attended by a young clerk who bowed politely and asked if he might serve her. “No,” she replied, “I am just killing time, waiting for the rain to

stop so I can go home.” “Very well, Madam,” the young man smiled, “may I bring out a chair for you?” And he brought it without waiting for her answer. After the rain slacked the young man took the old lady by the arm, escorted her to the street and bade her good-bye. As she left she asked him for his card.

Several months later the owner of the store received a letter, asking that this young man be sent to Scotland to take an order for the furnishings of a home. The owner of the store wrote back that he was sorry, but the young man did not work in the house furnishings department. However, he explained that he would be glad to send an “experienced man” to do the job.

Back came a reply that no one would do except this particular young man. The letters were signed by Andrew Carnegie, and the “house” he wanted furnished was Skibo Castle in Scotland. The elderly lady was Mr. Carnegie’s mother. The young man was sent to Scotland. He received an order for several hundred thousand dollars worth of household furnishings, and with it a partnership in the store. He later became the owner of a half interest in the store.

(The Master-Key to Riches by Napoleon Hill, page 70)

Notice the small turning point in this story: The young clerk bowed politely and asked if he might serve her. He treated her as a real person, not someone who would be a “waste of time.” And that is only going the first mile, which is sadly a point many, like the other clerks, never even reach. The young clerk did not stop there; he went the extra mile in getting a chair and later helping the woman to the door. Both miles were seemingly small, yet what a difference they made! The secret in going the extra mile is simple: look at others as if they are someone important. The young clerk did. He recognized that the woman had a desire, even if it was only to stay out of the rain, and because he saw her as a person with a need, he was able to go the extra mile.

Go the extra mile today and live Life’s Golden Rule.

Life’s Golden Rule
Editorial Staff