I spent more time coming up with complete title of The Zebra Code: A Step-By-Step Guide to Mastering Career Skills That Make You a Standout Professional than writing the entire book.

7 months for the title.

6 months to write the entire book (really 5, because I spent a month polishing).

True story.

Why?

I wanted to get in…

• Something unique (and avoid generic leadership-y titles like The Leadership Code yawn).
• Short main title (2-3 words only).
• A metaphor people will understand.
• Ability to coin, copyright, unique URL for the title, etc.
• Ongoing books in a series (for future offsprings).
• Tell them what’s inside (of course).
• Demonstrate there’s a framework (but didn’t want to be wordy).
• Make a promise as to what will happen when they read the book.
• Be specific about reader avatar (title needed to include something about the “who”).

So, it shakes out…

• Code = Takes care of the item on methodology inside.
• Guide = It IS a guide, but I could have used the word “system” here instead.
• Mastering the Career Skills = It’s really about this and there are detailed lessons inside.
• Standout = This is what will happen to you and picks up zebra metaphor.
• Professional = The book is genuinely for white collar professionals even though anyone can read it.

Don’t even get me started on the number of sleepless nights I had thinking about the cover design.

Wondering what gives with my analogy?

Seconds baby. Seconds. As in S-E-C-O-N-D-S.

That’s what YOU have to make the impression.

You don’t actually think you get your entire resume to make an impression???

Uh, heck to the NO.

Your career profile, the executive summary of your ENTIRE professional life if you will, is your billboard.

It’s your title and subtitle.

It’s your ONE and BEST chance to get them excited.

To entice them to review the rest of your glorious resume which substantiates everything you CLAIMED in your career profile.

Just like The Zebra Code.

I enticed you with the title and subtitle.

Then, fulfilled my promise on the 352 pages that sit inside the cover.

You get 2 paragraphs and then the remaining 1.875 pages to make good on your promise.

It happens in seconds.

Or 2 paragraphs.

If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings:

1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums.

2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel.

3. Grab any of my four books related to interviewing, hiring, goal setting, and career development. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page.

4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook.

5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here!

--Andy

I’ve changed careers twice, which basically means I’ve got it down to a science.

It’s absolutely brutal.

You deserve the truth.

How brutal?

This picture of my office popped up in my “memories” on my phone.

It's from August 25, 2015, a shade over 9 years ago.

3:43 in the AM.

I was knocking off for the evening so I could catch an hour or two of shut-eye before Harley or Ginger started licking my face as if it was their food bowl.

That’s a whopping 55 (calendar) days after I decided to “change careers” and become a career coach in addition to an executive recruiter.

Of course, the long-term plan was to drive the jumbo jet on the runway until liftoff when I could go “all in” on the career coaching thing.

I was on the runway for…let’s see…carry the seven…a mere 5 years.

Hang on. Hang on. Hang on. Lemme go get Andy Sunshine.

Okay, he’s back.

I’d do it all over again.

Anything worthwhile will take a bit of time. Fine, maybe a lot.

But it’s incredibly rewarding IF and ONLY IF you truly want it badly enough.

Ever consider making a change?

I like to say, “This world needs more of you, not less. There are people who need you to do what you ache to do. That’s the part of you, you need to give them. That’s the part of you I’d love to see. That’s the part of you the world wants.” (From The Zebra Code, Chapter 21, My Gift to Find Your Gift)

Maybe you like the way things are going and are on the right path.

Maybe you’ve thought What if?

Either way, today, I have 5 steps I’d suggest if you want to make that change!

If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings:

1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums.

2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel.

3. Grab any of my four books related to interviewing, hiring, goal setting, and career development. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page.

4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook.

5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here!

--Andy

What would you give to be happier in your job? In your office? In your career?

Would you give 25 minutes and 52 seconds?

If you’re willing to do just that, you’ll learn exactly what I’d do.

Warning: I’m not going to say anything to you like smile, have a better attitude, or blah blah blah. I wouldn’t insult you with that trite stuff.

I’ll get you focused on and building the six “deliverables” I’d create and have “at the ready” so I’d feel happier about my situation!

If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings:

1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums.

2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel.

3. Grab any of my four books related to interviewing, hiring, goal setting, and career development. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page.

4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook.

5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here!

--Andy