212 The Extra Degree

1. The Power of One Extra Degree: Small Efforts Lead to Exponential Results

"At 211°, water is hot. At 212°, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And with steam, you can power a locomotive."

The metaphor of boiling water illustrates how a small increase in effort can lead to transformative results. This principle applies to all aspects of life and business. The difference between 211° and 212° is minimal, yet it's the tipping point that creates steam – a powerful force capable of driving massive engines.

Examples of small efforts with big impacts:

• One extra mortgage payment per year can cut a 30-year mortgage to 22 years
• A single degree difference turns a rainy day into a magical snowy wonderland
• In professional sports, the average margin of victory is often less than 1%, yet the rewards for first place are significantly higher

By consistently applying this extra effort – the "212° mindset" – in our daily lives, we can achieve exponential results that seemed impossible with just ordinary effort.

2. Success Demands Consistent Extra Effort in Every Endeavor

"There are no real secrets to success. Success with anything, success in anything, has one fundamental aspect—effort."

Effort is the cornerstone of achievement in any field. The book emphasizes that there are no shortcuts or "quick fixes" to reaching our goals. Instead, success comes from consistently applying additional effort beyond what's expected or required.

Key points:

• Avoid the trap of seeking effortless solutions
• Recognize that the "extra degree" of effort often makes the difference between mediocrity and excellence
• Understand that this principle applies universally – in business, personal relationships, education, and personal growth

By internalizing this mindset, we develop a habit of always pushing slightly beyond our comfort zone, which compounds over time to produce remarkable results.

3. Narrow Margins of Victory Yield Disproportionate Rewards

"Professional golf tournaments are comprised of four rounds (games) of eighteen holes played over a four-day period (seventy-two holes total). There are four major tournaments each year—the U.S. Open, the British Open, the PGA Championship, and the Masters. The average margin of victory between 1990 and 2014 (twenty-five years) in ALL tournaments combined was less than three strokes—less than a one-stroke difference per day."

Tiny differences lead to huge rewards. Across various competitive fields, the gap between winners and runners-up is often surprisingly small, yet the disparity in rewards is enormous.

Examples:

• Golf: Average margin of victory less than one stroke per day, yet winners earn 73-87% more prize money
• Horse racing: Average margin of victory in Triple Crown races is less than 1.5 lengths, with winners earning 238% more than second place
• Olympics: Gold medals often decided by fractions of a second or centimeters

This principle underscores the importance of striving for that extra degree of effort in everything we do. In life and business, being slightly better than the competition can lead to disproportionate success.

4. 212° Service: Excellence Through Daily Reinforcement of Core Values

"Service is the lifeblood of any organization. Everything flows from it and is nourished by it. Customer service is not a department…it's an attitude."

Consistent excellence in service requires more than just a prestigious name or occasional training. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company exemplifies the 212° approach to service by reinforcing its core values daily.

Key elements of 212° service:

• Hire empathetic, positive employees
• Provide extensive initial training (20 days for Ritz-Carlton)
• Daily 15-minute sessions to discuss one core value
• Empower employees to solve problems (up to $2,000 per incident at Ritz-Carlton)
• Focus on every customer interaction as a "moment of truth"

By treating service as an attitude rather than a department and consistently reinforcing values, organizations can achieve and maintain world-class customer experiences.

5. 212° Attitude: The Mindset That Propels Ordinary People to Extraordinary Heights

"The only thing that stands between a person and what he or she wants in life is the will to try it and the faith to believe it possible."

Attitude trumps all other factors in determining success. The story of two job candidates illustrates how a 212° attitude – characterized by unwavering belief, passion, and willingness to go the extra mile – can overcome perceived disadvantages and lead to exceptional results.

Key components of a 212° attitude:

• Confidence in one's abilities
• Willingness to take risks and make bold offers
• Passion for the work or goal
• Belief in the possibility of success, even in the face of challenges

By cultivating this mindset, individuals can transform their careers and lives, often achieving success beyond their initial expectations.

6. 212° Leadership: Genuine Care Inspires Unwavering Loyalty

"They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Leadership through compassion is exemplified by General Earl Hailston's approach to commanding his troops. His actions demonstrate that true leadership goes beyond technical knowledge or authority; it's about showing genuine care for those under your command.

Elements of 212° leadership:

• Personal attention to individuals (e.g., taking and sending photos to soldiers' mothers)
• Recognition of each person's value and contributions
• Leading by example
• Building strong emotional connections with team members

This approach to leadership inspires deep loyalty and motivation, creating a team that is willing to go above and beyond in pursuit of shared goals.

7. 212° Commitment: Dedicating Extra Time to Mastery Yields Exponential Growth

"If you will spend an extra hour each day of study in your chosen field, you will be a national expert in that field in five years or less."

Consistent, focused effort over time leads to mastery and expertise. Jim Cathcart's story illustrates how dedicating just one extra hour per day to learning and self-improvement can transform a person's career and life.

Steps to implement 212° commitment:

1. Choose a field or skill to focus on
2. Dedicate one extra hour daily to study or practice
3. Persist through initial challenges and temptations to quit
4. Track progress and adjust strategies as needed

By making this small daily commitment, individuals can rapidly accelerate their personal and professional growth, often achieving expert status in their chosen field within a few years.

8. 212° Belief: Unwavering Faith Overcomes Seemingly Insurmountable Obstacles

"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."

Belief fuels achievement. The story of Tim Dumper, a legally blind salesman who became a top performer, demonstrates how unwavering belief in oneself can overcome significant challenges.

Key aspects of 212° belief:

• Persistence in the face of skepticism from others
• Willingness to find creative solutions to obstacles
• Maintaining a positive attitude despite difficulties
• Focusing on strengths rather than limitations

When individuals truly believe in their ability to succeed, they often find ways to overcome obstacles that others might consider insurmountable.

9. 212° Focus: Clarity and Simplicity Drive Transformative Results

"Less, I've discovered, is usually more."

Laser-like focus on a single, crucial objective can lead to dramatic turnarounds. Jan Carlzon's transformation of Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) from worst to first in just one year illustrates the power of 212° focus.

Elements of 212° focus:

• Identify the most critical issue or objective
• Simplify the message and strategy
• Communicate the vision clearly to all team members
• Empower front-line employees to make decisions
• Concentrate on improving every customer interaction

By narrowing focus to what truly matters and aligning the entire organization around that goal, leaders can achieve remarkable results in a short time.

10. 212° Perseverance: Resilience in the Face of Adversity Leads to Ultimate Success

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other."

Unrelenting determination in the face of extreme challenges can lead to extraordinary achievements. Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition exemplifies 212° perseverance, demonstrating how leadership and resilience can overcome seemingly impossible odds.

Key elements of 212° perseverance:

• Maintaining optimism while facing reality
• Adapting to changing circumstances
• Fostering team cohesion and mutual support
• Breaking large challenges into smaller, manageable tasks
• Celebrating small victories to maintain morale

By approaching perseverance as a series of short-term challenges rather than one long ordeal, individuals and teams can maintain their resolve and achieve remarkable feats.

11. 212° Actions: Small Daily Improvements Compound into Life-Changing Results

"And then some…these three little words are the secret to success. They are the difference between average people and top people in most companies."

Consistent extra effort in daily actions separates exceptional performers from the average. The "and then some" principle encourages going slightly beyond what's expected in every task and interaction.

Examples of 212° actions:

• In relationships: Send one extra love note each month
• At work: Make one additional sales call or customer contact daily
• In personal development: Study an extra hour weekly in your field of interest
• In the community: Volunteer a few extra hours monthly

By consistently applying the 212° principle to our daily actions, we create a compound effect that leads to significant improvements in all areas of life. This approach transforms ordinary routines into extraordinary results over time.

Last updated: September 2, 2024