The truth is painfully simple: going the extra mile occasionally isn’t enough. Success doesn’t come from sporadic bursts of effort—it comes from consistent daily action.
The Daily Extra Mile
What I call “the empty mile” is the space where few people operate—those who consistently go beyond what’s required every single day. It’s remarkably uncrowded there because most people can’t maintain that level of commitment.
When I was building my career at Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, I noticed how many talented people would work intensely for short periods, then coast on that effort. They’d reference those bursts of productivity when questioned about results, but their inconsistency prevented real breakthrough success.
The most successful people I’ve worked with share one trait: they don’t view extra effort as exceptional—they see it as their daily standard. They’ve built systems that make consistency possible.
Lower the Bar If Necessary
If you’re struggling with consistency, I have counterintuitive advice: lower the bar. Yes, you read that correctly. If you can’t maintain your current “extra mile” standard every day, reduce the requirement to something you can actually sustain.
Here’s why this works:
- A smaller daily action compounds more effectively than occasional massive efforts
- Daily habits build momentum that makes tomorrow’s effort easier
- Consistency creates identity—you become “the type of person who always delivers”
For example, if writing for an hour daily feels impossible, commit to 15 minutes instead. The key is removing all excuses for skipping days. I’d rather see someone do 15 minutes every day than 2 hours twice a week.
Escaping the Justification Trap
When we fail to achieve our goals, our minds naturally seek explanations that protect our self-image. We point to our occasional extraordinary efforts as evidence that we deserved success. This creates a cycle of blame, shame, and justification that keeps us stuck.
I’ve coached many entrepreneurs and executives who were masters at justifying their current position. They had elaborate stories about their past efforts and why circumstances prevented their success. Breaking free requires brutal honesty about your actual daily habits—not your highlight reel.
The empty mile is where true growth happens. When you commit to daily excellence, you no longer need justifications because your results speak for themselves. The consistency itself becomes your competitive advantage in a world of sporadic effort.
Making It Practical
To implement this approach in your life:
- Identify one key activity that drives your most important goal
- Determine the minimum daily action that would represent “going the extra mile”
- Track your consistency with a simple system (calendar, app, etc.)
- Focus on building streaks rather than intensity
- When you miss a day, restart immediately without self-judgment
Remember that consistency compounds. What seems like a small daily action will transform your results over time. The gap between occasional excellence and daily commitment is where most dreams die.
I’ve seen this principle transform careers, businesses, relationships, and health. The people who achieve extraordinary results aren’t necessarily more talented—they’re simply more consistent in their commitment to excellence.
Stop lying to yourself about those occasional bursts of effort. Start building the daily habits that make success inevitable. The empty mile is waiting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly is “the empty mile” you mention?
The empty mile is the space where consistently high performers operate—those who go beyond what’s required every single day rather than occasionally. It’s called “empty” because few people maintain this level of consistency, making it much less competitive than the space where most operate with sporadic effort.
Q: Isn’t it better to work intensely even if it’s not every day?
While intense work sessions have their place, they don’t replace daily consistency. Research shows that compound growth from daily small actions typically outperforms occasional intense efforts. The neural pathways and habits formed through daily practice create momentum that sporadic intensity cannot match.
Q: How do I determine what “going the extra mile” means for my specific goals?
Look at what drives results in your field and identify the high-leverage activities that most people avoid or do inconsistently. For a salesperson, it might be making 10 extra calls daily. For a writer, it could be writing 500 words before breakfast. The key is finding something meaningful that you can sustain every day.
Q: What if my schedule varies too much to do the same thing daily?
Adapt your definition of consistency to fit your life. Perhaps your commitment is to go the extra mile in whatever context you find yourself that day. The principle remains: don’t let yourself off the hook with occasional effort. Find what works within your constraints and stick to it without exception.
Q: How long does it take to see results from this approach?
Most people begin seeing psychological benefits—increased confidence, reduced anxiety about performance—within 2-3 weeks of daily consistency. Tangible external results typically emerge within 30-90 days, depending on your field. The most significant transformations often occur after 6-12 months when the compound effect really takes hold.
