I MUST tell you a perfect story, of how when you go the extra mile, you leave a lasting impression on someone’s mind. In this story, a particular individual has forever left an impression on my mind.
Many of you know that my fiance’ (Dave) and I got married in Costa Rica a few weeks ago. It was a BEAUTIFUL wedding! Everything went just perfectly! Most of you don’t know however, how our trip began and the story of how one person really stood out and went that extra mile for us.
So here is the story. We started our travels at 8:00pm on a Saturday night in California and arrived in Costa Rica about 11:30am on Sunday morning after a series of stops in-between. Dave had a small back pack on him with some small items in it. And for me, I had my purse along with my wedding dress and Dave’s wedding outfit. The first thing we said to each other as we landed in Costa Rica, was that we couldn’t wait to clean up, take a shower and put on some fresh clothes, once we got to the place we were staying. So we get off the plane, it was about 95 degrees out and we were waiting for our luggage… and we’re waiting… and we’re still waiting. After several minutes we look to each other and know it’s not coming.
Knowing very little Spanish, we try to communicate our situation to airline personnel and they pretty much tell us we need to put in a claim and go from there. So knowing there wasn’t much we could do, we get into our rental car and off we go to the place where we were staying at. I am in a t-shirt with long black yoga pants and Dave is in a black adidas shirt and cargo shorts. After many phone calls to the airline and talking with people at the hotel, we learn that our luggage is ‘likely’ in Panama City and there were only two flights a week that come into Liberia airport in Costa Rica, and the next one was scheduled for Thursday (4 days from then and actually the day of our wedding).
Well, reality set in late on Monday night, that we were probably without all of our stuff until at least Thursday of that week and there was a possibility of us never getting our luggage. We definitely didn’t let this damper our time (we were having SO much fun), but it sure would have been much more convenient with our stuff!
So, here comes the good part of the story! One of the people that worked at the front desk was ‘Leo’. Leo had a fantastic personality and when he heard what happened with our luggage, he exclaimed ‘that this could not happen’ and that he was going to look into this for us. We were appreciative but were realistic that we still may never get our luggage.
So, now it is about 7:00am on Tuesday morning and Dave and I were down at the hotel breakfast area, drinking coffee, getting a bite to eat and planning out our day. All of a sudden, we hear the sound of rolling luggage! Could it possibly be ours? Were we just hearing things? We were hearing things but it was in fact the rolling of OUR luggage! We couldn’t believe it. And guess who was working at the front desk at the time when it arrived? Leo! I remember looking at him and he had a big smile on his face, nodding his head in pure satisfaction that our stuff arrived. And all I remember after that is running up to the front desk and giving him a big high five!
Leo absolutely went the extra mile for us. Leo took it upon himself to get on a mission to get our luggage. It was true that flights from Panama City to Liberia, Costa Rica only occurred twice per week, but Leo found out there were flights to San Jose, Costa Rica every day from Panama! So he arranged to get our luggage sent to San Jose which was about 4 hours away from where we were staying and one of the staff at the airport drove our luggage hours to get to us at our hotel.
Leo was absolutely the best! We never could have done it without him and he was just so humble and thoughtful. And it was clear to me that this was what he was all about. Excellent guest service and going that extra mile in all that he does. Dave and I can’t say enough great things about him. With Leo going that extra mile, it will forever be a lasting impression on our minds!
So I ask you, are you going the extra mile in your personal and professional life? What things do you do to leave a lasting impression on someone’s mind? I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Cynthia,
Thanks for sharing this. It’s a really great reminder of the difference we can make when we go the extra mile.
It’s something we encourage all the time at work. It’s a competitive market place out there and these lasting impressions are vital. Also I really advocate the ‘do what you say you’re going to do’ mantra. It really leaves people feeling truly valued.
Jane
Thank you so much for your comments Jane. Yes, that first and ongoing impressions are key to any relationship. Anyone can be ordinary. The key to going the extra mile is being extraordinary! Have a FANTASTIC day!
Cynthia
First of all, congratulations!!! Dave is a very lucky guy 😉
Secondly, this story epitomises ‘going that extra mile’ in such a perfect way.
I love the fact that Leo not only had, but you saw him have, one of those moments when we say ‘that’s it, that’s enough, no more’ or in Leo’s case ‘This could NOT happen’.
Taking responsibility to change something, or just deciding ‘that ain’t happening here/on my watch’ is a very empowering thing to do but when it is coupled with the feeling that it is personal, as it appears here, woah! that is when REAL change is made and mistakes are rectified super quick.
One other factor to note here is the attitude you and Dave display. So many people feel crushed or feel as if things are not right and cannot be dealt with because of the slightest thing going wrong. To many people its as if the world has ended because one small detail isnt exactly as it was expected to be.
I would call getting married with no idea where your wedding clothes are to be MAJOR catastrophe and would have lots of people tearing their hair out but naturally…you carried on having a great time and knew that if something is out of your hands, no amount of worry would change it. Not only you but Dave too…this is also a prime example of talking the talk and walking the walk. Inspirational! In the words of Yoda: “Hmmm, trained Dave well you have!”
love and congratulations to you both on your wedding.
Dave
Thank you so much David for your awesome comments. I greatly appreciate your wisdom! Some things I have learned in my life are: Anyone can be ordinary; it’s those that go the extra mile are those that are going to have an extraordinary life. I have also learned that we are too blessed to be stressed! If you can’t change it, embrace it and change the way you think about it. I am grateful for you every day my friend!
Hi Cynthia,
Once again, you have written a MASTERPIECE. Although a simple message, it may be the most important message of the day.
When we help others, we both move forward. If we can go two extra miles, why stop at just one?
Thanks for the reminder!
Brad
managementbrad
Brad, thank you very much for your comments on the blog. I absolutely LOVE your message “When we help others, we both move forward. If we can go two extra miles, why stop at just one?”
Cynthia, thank you for sharing this story! Leo is the example of how we all should be every day in our lives. When hearing about your luggage he could have just said “I’m sorry, hopefully it will come.” Instead he took that extra step and made it his mission to track down your luggage for you. You and Dave will never forget his kindness and him going that “extra mile”.
The resort he is working for is very blessed to have someone like Leo working for them. It is actions like his that will truly touch customers and keep them coming back.
Thank you SO much for your comments Adam! Yes… the resort is so blessed to have Leo working for them. Each day we need to be EXACTLY like Leo! GO THE EXTRA MILE!
Hi Cynthia, thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
It’s truly a reminder that one person can make a difference. Helping someone by going the extra mile, keep us moving forward.
Let us be the “Leo” on someone’s life today.
You made my day 🙂
Thank you so much Sandra for your comments. Yes, how great it would be if we all pay it forward like Leo did. This is a reminder for all of us to do that little extra… Go the extra mile each day!
Wow Cynthia. What a story. The #1 thing I get from this is that there are good people out there. So happy for you and Dave. I think very highly of you and appreciate you immensely. Customer service goes a long way and treating people well should always be a priority. Serving others and our fellow man can make us all better.
Geoffrey! Thank you so much for your comments on the blog. Yes! I also was reminded from this experience, that there are FANTASTIC people out there. And you my friend are top notch!
The best situations in life seemed to happen when you’re with someone you love, and even when they become frustrating they don’t really matter when you live your life and share your life in the Positive. I see Cynthia’s story as a reminder and example that a life worth experiencing is one you see as a hopeful opportunity to go forward because positivity works everywhere and is shared by all around you.
Thank you so much Ashly for your comments on the blog. Yes, there is great positivity out there!
Hi Cynthia,
As usual GREAT post!
I think if you really love what you do, you automatically do your utmost best all the time. And Leo really is a GREAT example of that!!!
Hats off to you & Dave for handling the situation the way you did!!! Another GREAT example!
Thank you so much for sharing & FAB day to you!,
Franca
Franca, thank you so much for your comments on the blog. How true that is, when you really love what you do, you automatically do your utmost best all the time. Leo certainly did SHINE!
Hi Cynthia, what a great story. Leo sounds like an amazing employee and all around good guy. He decided he was going to get your luggage to you and he did! Leo took customer service to another level. Hopefully his employers realize what a gem he is! So happy for you and Dave. Great blog as always!
Thank you so much Terri for your comments. Leo was definitely amazing and we were sure to take GREAT care of him! He is a shining example of how we should all be!
Cynthia!!! Another remarkable blog post, TU!! The point that stands out for me is that no doubt Leo had his own work to accomplish, but he choose to set his own responsibilities aside, and put the needs of someone else before his own!!! What a shining example of how we should live!! Let’s make a point today to pay it forward for somebody else!! After all, in the end, what else matters!!! Loved it!! :))
Carla! Thank you so much for your fantastic comments! Yes, Leo is a shining example of how people should treat people each day! Let us all pay it forward and do that little extra each day! Grateful for you my friend!
We all have impressions from people who have helped (aka saved!) us in some form or fashion, both personally and professionally. I have several I’ll cherish forever! This really makes me think internally and ask myself “have I left an impression on others?”. I surely hope so…. and plan to do so moving forward thanks to this reminder. Thanks, Cynthia! xo
Thank you Tracy for your comments on the blog! I know that you are one of those quality people that goes the extra mile in all that you do. But yes, this story is a great reminder for us to look within ourselves and see how we can do all that we can do to pay it forward to others in life!
Awesome post Cynthia “Going the extra mile” that is one of the extraordinary ways in which we impact the world, and lives of the great people that we meet. You have been that bright shining star in a lot of people’s lives Cynthia, and wherever you go, life will always be beautiful for you. Going the extra mile.. Some people touch our lives briefly, and some leave a long lasting impression in our lives. Great post to remind us that despite the fact that sometimes life could be chaotic, THERE ARE LOTS OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE ANGELS BOTH INWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY, They make life beautiful, And YOU ARE ONE OF THEM CYNTHIA. Thank you, Thank you.
Angels.. We have them in our midst always :-))
Thank you SO much Etiedidiong for your beautiful comments. I really appreciate YOU and all that you do to support others. I love your positivity when you say “There are lots of wonderful people out there who are angels both inwardly and outwardly”…. In this sometimes chaotic world we live in, it’s nice to look around us and see that there is REAL good in people. This story hopefully gives that hope to everyone out there!
Great story Cynthia! And the ending was fantastic! First of all, I commend you and Dave for having such a good attitude and deciding to not let the luggage incident spoil your trip and wedding. The way you handled this potential disaster probably prompted Leo to want to go out of his way to help you! Thank goodness there are people like you and Leo out there!
Rick
Cynthia, What a perfect story you have to share the importance of going the extra mile. I’m reminded of what Zig Ziglar used to say, ““There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.”
That is AMAZING! Love hearing stories like this! First off congratulations! I love how you didn’t let the misfortune of events keep you down and then the amazing customer service! I truly feel customer service is so important and hope more companies value people like Leo. They make the difference in companies today.
That is such a wonderful story to hear and I am glad things worked out like they did. I think having a positive attitude about this whole experience is what may have inspired Leo to have that same mind set himself. You give what you get and your for sure got what you were giving. I love Dans comment above by Zig Ziglar.
What a wonderful story. I’m so glad you were able to get your belongings as quickly as you did. I think many people complain and complain and do not see the blessings right in front of them. That is exactly what you did, you chose to see the blessings and then more blessings came your way! Congratulations on your wedding!
Thank you Lisa for your comments and the congrats wishes for our wedding. It was a fantastic day; a wonderful trip that we will always remember! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!