The Extra Mile. Why?

Extend a helping hand.

But why?

We live in a dog-eat-dog world. If we help others, would our needs be catered and met? It's been about defending and protecting our own rights. The kiasu-kiasi spirit that lingers in our society.

Endless competitions started way before we entered school.

Born in the year of 1988 (88 - the Chinese auspicious number) and as the year of the dragon, it was like THE YEAR for mothers to give birth. Hospitals were flooded with dragon babies.

"Historical data shows spikes of more than 10 per cent in the city-state's total births during the most recent dragon years, 2000 and 1988. The Year of the Dragon is regarded as the most auspicious to have a baby because it is the only mythical creature among the dozen animals that represent each year in the Chinese cosmic cycle. The Chinese believe children born during the Year of the Dragon - the symbol of ancient emperors - will possess courage and wisdom and bring luck to the entire family." - News article from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's speech

Okay, I googled and found a buzzfeed article, "Definitive Proof That 1988 Babies Are Way Better Than 1987 Babies." You can then decide what your take is..

Growing up and entering into good schools (kindergarten, primary, secondary tertiary education) was challenging. It's like there's more demand than supply. Huge cahoot of students (demand) entering into schools with the usual yearly quota number (supply of teachers). So good schools would only take in the best of the best.

Society taught us that with good grades, you can get a good career with good salary.

After graduation, I thought "Okay, now that I have a degree with good grades, I'd have everything settled!'

Lo and behold, how wrong I was!

It was the start of another set of battles.

And I realised that people have been fighting for the same jobs prospects and career progression:

1) Make sure that your resume was good enough,

2) prepare for successful interviews,

3) ensure that you get recognised for job well done,

4) fight politics,

5) protect yourself from being stabbed (It includes those times when you choose to be nice to people, and was taken advantage of - that means your goodness extended was not reciprocated), and

6) move up the ladder (get the title and ideal paycheck) etc. The list goes on and on.

So, it's always been SELF, SELF, and more SELF. If not, how do we survive as individuals?

It's survival of the fittest. It's either you survive and overcome, OR you get beaten! So choose. Choose wisely. Make the right decisions.

From Plan A to Plan Z, make sure you win. If you do not win, do not stay down. Make sure you learn - learn fast so that you do not make the same mistakes.

So my main point is WHY THEN GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR OTHERS?

Almost everyone says they would want to do good. Hardly anyone would say NO to that. But almost everyone can say, just saying. Talk is cheap. But just how many would be compelled to go the extra mile?

Going the extra mile requires extra effort and time. If not, it would not be called extra mile.

In everything, there's a cause and effect. When you have a serious problem, it's important to explore all of the things that could cause it, before you start to think about a solution. With Process Management (e.g. Lean 6 Sigma), you should be able to identity root causes of a problem, uncover bottlenecks, and identify where and why a process isn't working. Oh and yes, I'm certified with Lean 6 Sigma (Yellow Belt).

Having said that, whatever we do (cause) - regardless of size, big or small, there'd be an impact (effect). Whether it's positive or negative impact, you'd need to consider the what, why, and how you do something (your actions and motivations).

And my hypothesis - When people start looking beyond themselves - see a need and do whatever it takes to help, the world might just be a better place.

Who knows?

You just got to believe in someone and be involved in something bigger than yourself. If not, then what?

You've got to find meaning in who you are and what you do. That makes life more meaningful than just living for the mundane daily grind.