Malcolm O. Munro - The "Career Fitness" Coach

Lessons Learned from the Marine Corps Marathon

As you may know, this past Sunday I completed my second Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC.  As I did two years ago, I thought I'd share some of my lessons learned that of course can be applied to  everyday life (unless of course you're planning on running a marathon, then you can apply them there too!).

I didn't finish as fast as the first year, but actually felt a little better as my knee didn't bother me like it did before.  My finish time was a slow 5 hours and 19 minutes.  Not bad considering I was about 19,000 out of 30,000 so there were still runners crossing the finish line when I was on that sardine can we call the Metro on my way home.

So here are my lessons learned:

1. Once you've accomplished something, you'll always have the confidence you'll do it again.  Having done this two years ago, it never crossed my mind that I couldn't do it.  That's pretty nice to have the internal voice of confidence!  Are you looking to previous victories to boost your confidence?
    
2. Keep learning!  During and after my 2007 marathon, my left knee was really hurting me.  I thought my distance running days might be over.  Fortunately, my daughter's soccer coach at the time was a personal trainer and got me using a foam roller to loosen the muscle around my knee.  It did the trick!  No knee pain this year and a new lesson learned.  What have you learned lately?
    
3. Let people know your goal so you can be accountable to achieve it.  This year I posted a link on my Facebook page allowing my friends to track my progress.  Each time I was tired or  discouraged, I remembered that people were watching me and expecting me to finish.  It really helps to be accountable.  Who else is aware of your goals?  Are you accountable to them?
    
4. Never pass on an opportunity to promote something.  This year I launched my clothing line:  Grey Skull Attitude.  It was my milestone when I turned 45 this year.  The premise is that age is just a number, it's the attitude that makes the difference.  You can view my site at http://www.greyskullattitude.com.  I wore my shirt during the run and that too kept me from stopping.  No worse advertising I'm "Not too old to run 26.2" if I'm crashed on the side of the road right?  What are you doing to creatively promote your business (or yourself?
    
5. Continue to set new goals.  Training for marathons is grueling, but it certainly can keep a person in shape.  Rather than do it just once a year, I think I'll tackle a Spring marathon just to keep me training during the winter.  Maybe it will become a lifestyle?  Just don't expect me to wear those  skimpy shorts the Kenyans wear.  I don't want to scare people off the course.  What new goals are 
   you setting right now?

So it's a few days off to recover now and then back to some light running.  I hope these lessons learned are helpful as you begin thinking of some goals for 2010.  It's only a few months away!

Desperation will get you nowhere...

Over the past few weeks I've seen several stories such as the one in the video about people doing desperate things to find jobs. Now I understand desperation, but all these stunts will get you is time on CNN. I doubt whether serious offers will come. Your best hope is a great resume and strong networking!

Looking for Your Dream Job? Help has Arrived!

I normally don't advertise on my blog, but I just had to share!

Unemployed, Under-Employed, or Unhappily Employed?… 

"You can get off the dead-end road of your current career or job and find meaningful work that will have you looking forward to Mondays!"

Discover how to identify your ideal career or job and gain new skills and tools to go out and land it!

Dear Friend, 

• Do you toss and turn every Sunday night dreading your current job or career?

• Does Monday begin the long, slow countdown to Friday and the promise of a weekend respite from your pain? 

• Are you living “vacation to vacation?”

• Do you envy others who love their jobs and find great satisfaction in them?

I did.  My name is Malcolm O. Munro, the Career Fitness Coach, and after 15 years of military service as both a dental assistant and I.T. manager, two jobs I hated, I knew there had to be something better. Don't get me wrong, I loved the Navy and serving my country, but  I promised myself my second career would have me looking forward to Fridays AND Mondays.  My journey took me through years of working in HR departments, learning how the hiring process worked, and more recently into a career in training and development where I now teach and coach clients through career transition and personal and professional development.

Let me tell you, if your career is lacking, you’re not alone.  Many people find themselves stuck in jobs or careers that are boring, stressful, or simply waste their real talents.  Fortunately, you don’t have to live like this.    In Marketing Yourself for Your Dream Job: How to Get the Job and Career You’ve Always Wanted, I’ll give you the formula for identifying your dream job or career and the tools to land it.

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Here's what I'll teach you in nearly 250 pages of easy-to-digest, practical material:

5 ways to identify your dream job or career 7 important values every organization requires employees to “own” 10 Urban Legends about job searching and how to bust them The #1, best place on the planet to find a job 8 important tools every job seeker needs to carry An easy, step-by-step process to write a winning resume The most important question you’ll ever be asked in an interview and how to answer it 3 simple steps to negotiating the BEST salary and benefits package 6 personal strategies you can implement  to guarantee job security for life PLUS - access to a separate, password protected site where you can download copies of all the tools, templates, and go-bys in my book!

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I coach and teach hundreds of career seekers individually and in workshops each year.  Listen to what they say after working with me: 

Tammy G. from Clarksburg, MD came to me after wrestling with her current job situation, wondering if she should make the leap to a new position.  She did!  Here's what she said:

"I no longer suffer from having two Mondays in my work week! I can’t thank you enough for what your skill, insight and ability to encourage others has done for me. I not only acquired a new job but I learned more about myself than I could have ever imagined.”

Or how about Annie R. from Hamilton, VA?  Annie was laid off from her position 2 months before the Christmas holidays and was struggling with a strategy to get rehired.  After working with me, Annie was able to land a great position and is now happier than ever!  Here's what she says:

“Malcolm provided me with tremendous help for job interviews, salary negotiations, and an overall positive philosophy towards my job search.  The simplicity of his teaching was without a doubt helpful during that time of despair and confusion.”

I also do many workshops each year for folks in career transition.  Here's what attendees have to say:

"Thank you so much for the time you dedicated to us this week.  You made me feel less intimidated by the prospect of leaving my comfort zone and venturing out into the vast unknown." Tom H. Columbia, MD

"I have to first thank you for everything you put out this week. You are truly an inspiring person/job coach. I find myself using the skills you taught all of us already." Chris T. Leesville, LA

"The class was great. Mission accomplished: you inspired AND informed! I think I speak for everyone in the class when I say I was very impressed with you and your presentation of the myriad of information. My head's still spinning, but in a very good way." Manny S. Colorado Springs, CO

I know what I'm talking about and my clients can vouch for it.  Now I want to be your coach and help you through this important process!

Just because your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents suffered through unhappy careers, doesn’t mean you have to. Work doesn’t have to be “work.”  

Why not rediscover your dreams and take charge of your career?  I’ll show you how to figure out what job and career field is the best fit for you.  You’ll then learn how combine preparation and practice into a one-two punch that will land you interviews and win you the job. for just $25.00, you’ll approach the process with a newfound confidence and have the tools to gain full control of your work life.

I, and now lots of my clients, have dream jobs and careers. 

There’s one out there for you too. Let me show you how to get it!

Sincerely, 

Malcolm O. Munro The Career Fitness Coach