Sometimes, when we work really hard but don’t see quick results, it’s tempting to stop. It feels like all the effort isn’t leading anywhere. But the truth is, most people give up right before things start to change. That “extra mile” is quiet because many turn back when things get tough. It’s in this silent stretch, beyond frustration and tiredness, where success is waiting. It’s not crowded there because only a few keep pushing. If you can hold on a little longer and keep doing the work, you’re already ahead of most people.

Think of a student preparing for an important exam. For weeks, they study every night, but the practice scores stay the same. Friends start relaxing, saying, “It’s enough.” But this student decides to study a bit more—just one extra hour each night. In the final test, they score far higher than expected. That extra effort, done when everyone else stopped, made the difference. That was their “extra mile.”

Success doesn’t always come quickly, but if you stop too soon, you might never know how close you really were. That final stretch could be where your breakthrough happens. So if it feels tough now, it might mean you’re almost there. Keep going.