Second Mile

I was going to a place this morning for a bit of a chin wag as Merril had to go elsewhere shopping. I had time to kill. Not “who will I kill – I have time” but there was time for me to do something, while Merril did something else. Too late I also realized that time becomes relative when a woman shops.
I did not know though that I had arrived early, and the place was not going to open for another 20 minutes or so. A lady and her son were outside waiting also as they had made the same discovery. We got talking.
The son was looking for a job. He had been to a school for troubled youth (I knew the place he mentioned). He had a certificate in automotive repairs and had done a hospitality course.
While we were talking a postman nearby had a mishap. He was on one of those three wheeled motorcycles some postman ride. They are great. They provide cover, stability and plenty of room. But although they provide stability nothing can negotiate impossible angles. That is what this fella tried to do. He dropped his bike. We went to his aid and lifted the bike upright again and gathered up things dropped.
I watched the son. He helped gather up the extra’s. I thought “that is what is needed in a worker. Going the second mile.”
I was always thankful at work it was a give and take thing. I could get time to do other things occasionally because it was known I went the second mile when needed. I was not just out to get (which is a recipe for rigidity) but I was willing to give.
One time I did better in an assessment because I included something that had not been taught in class but was right and appropriate. Going the second mile paid off.
When I was in charge of an organization they were the ones I looked for. People that not just did the job but took ownership and sought ways to make improvements.
We know someone who employs teams. They always try and ensure there is work to go onto when the current work comes to an end. Second mile people. Second mile people are worth holding on to when they appear. It seems to me the second mile people are the ones who are head hunted. Good workers are like gold.
We had an electrician doing some work for us at the same time as plumbers. The guy in charge of the plumbers took his phone number because he recognized our electrician was a good worker.
To me being a second mile person ties in with the way I think.
When faced with something, I like to overwhelm it. I mean just having a win is good but a rout is better in my mind.
I am thankful for the way I am but I do not take credit for the way I am. I could so easily be otherwise. If I can just use what I have got I am happy.