What is your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) ???

What is your BHAG ??? 

"Big Hairy Audacious Goal"

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What is a BHAG?

• BHAG stands for "Big Hairy Audacious Goal."  A term created by Jim Collins in his book "Built To Last."  
• BHAG is a goal you set for yourself OR a group.  This goal may not be achieved the next day but rather over an extended period of time.  A BHAG may sometimes seem crazy OR extreme, however it allows you to work towards something big.  

Four Steps to work towards your BHAG:

• Step 1:  Write down your BHAG.
• Step 2:  Share your BHAG with others (friends, family, mentors, etc.)
• Step 3:  Plan well. Practice well. Prepare well.
• Step 4:  Start working towards achieving your BHAG.

What is your BHAG ??? 

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Iowa Summer Sunset outside of Clinton Iowa

:( it's a sad day when you bust your favorite coffee mug

I broke my favorite mug this morning.  My elbow bumped it off the table... and as if in slow motion, I watched it fall to the ground, and bust.

If anyone knows me, they know how much this mug meant to me.  

It was of Turkish origin, given as a gift by one of the most amazing human beings in the world.  

I'm gonna miss this mug.

I've had some good memories with this mug.  

Drinking Coffee At Toad's Coffee Shop in Spencer Iowa

Drinking coffee at my host home in Sioux City

Charley and my mug

Chilling in Des Moines at Smokey Row

A freshly pressed Americano in my mug

I met Michael Emerson AKA Benjamin Linus in a coffee shop with my mug.  

In Pella Iowa, during my "off week."  Nothing better than coffee in your favorite mug and a good book.

In Iowa City, when I attempted to single press coffee with a device made in the early 70's.

I was often reminded of my fiance when I drank from this mug (she got it for me in Turkey)

Enjoying a salted caramel mocha latte in my mug at 392 Coffee Shop in Clinton Iowa

My mug  along the Iowa cloud scenery.  This was taken while roasting coffee with Benjamin near Bellevue Iowa.  

It is indeed a sad day.  

Blog posts including my favorite mug:

• Finding consistency while traveling for a year
• 5 things I'm looking forward to
• Simplify your life

One year later...

One year ago, I stepped down from my job as the Middle School Director at Sunnybrook Community Church in Sioux City Iowa.  

staff lunch to say goodbye to Jim

I loved my job.  I had been there for four years.  In fact, it was a job using my degree I received from college.  

Why?

To pursue a dream formulated the three previous years:

To run and speak across the state of Iowa.

Before I stepped down from my position, I shared my dream with several others...

Many shared encouraging words.

Many shared concerns.

I too, was concerned.  Asking myself the questions, "Are you crazy?  Are you having a quarter-life crisis?  Is this what God really wants you to do?"

I was very afraid of the "unknown."  

I really liked my job.

I asked questions like "Would I be able to support myself?" 

OR would I be standing on the side of the street begging for money.

A year has passed.

My financial needs are met.

I'm healthy.

I've experienced some tough moments on the journey, but I'm happy in knowing I'm pursuing what I'm called to do. 

I have several people who daily encouraging, support and praying for me.

Part of me, wants to be like Usain Bolt who silenced the crowd after he won the 200 meter dash.  I want to silence my critics who said "You can't do this running and speaking gig, it doesn't make sense for an adult to do this, it's not normal."

 But the truth is, I don't want to silence my critics.  I don't want to tell them, "Hey, I told you I would be okay, or I knew God will provide for me."

Rather, I'm going to thank the Creator for giving me the ability to run and speak, and I'm going to continue on this journey, using my story to inspire, challenge & equip others to discover and do what God is calling them to do.

Running passionately...

Running purposefully...

Running with beautiful feet...

Running with endurance...

Running towards the goal...

In every step,

Jim

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

People Running Into Things

I have yet to run into anything on the Awake My Sole journey.

Hope you get a good laugh over this.

How to RUN in an Iowa Thunderstorm

Jim Ellis is a professional long distance runner and motivational speaker.

He is currently at the half way point of the journey: having spoken 174 times in 20 Iowa communities to 8230 people since January 9th.

He welcomes any opportunity to SPEAK at schools, youth groups, churches, organization, clubs, etc. 

There is no cost.

What does Jim speak about?
Speaking Schedule

Others who recommend Jim
Awake My Sole in the News

Contact Jim for additional information OR if interested in having him come speak.

AwakeMySole@gmail.com

303-913-0986

92 miles in 6 days

Last Monday I attempted a 150-mile run in 5 days.

The end result:  

I was able to run 92-miles in 6 days.

Monday 

Ran 32.7 miles to Manchester.  About five miles in, my left tendon started flaring up.  Ran the 87 additional miles on a hurt tendon.  Consumed a lot of liquids on this day.  Had to rest several times in the shade due to the hot heat temps. 

Tuesday 

Didn't run due to sore tendon and high heat.  My fiance drove me to Dubuque.  Was very blessed to have her support and common sense. 

Wednesday 

Rested in Dubuque Iowa.  Washed the gear cart.  

Thursday 

Ran 30 hilly miles to Bellevue.  My buddy Dan joined me towards the end.  He pushed the gear cart to my host home in Bellevue.

Friday

Rested in Bellevue.  Lots of stretching and drinking of fluids.  

Saturday

Ran 29 miles with Dan following me in a support vehicle.

Monday morning en route to Manchester Iowa

Tuesday evening, icing my foot in a bucket of ice

Washed the gear cart.  

Charley is preparing to run to Bellevue

Thursday afternoon lunch break, it was really hilly and hot on my way to Bellevue  

Made it to Bellevue

Made it to the Mississippi again.  So beautiful

Dan wanted to experience pushing the 150 pound gear cart.  He looks so happy.  He pushed it 5 miles.

Dan is officially a Tree Hugger.  

Exploring the Mississippi

Homemade spaghetti.  Thank you Sue!!!

Frozen water and Gatorade for the trek to Clinton

Saturday morning Iowa sunries

Early Saturday morning start.  Tried beating the heat.  Got going around 530a.  

Jim attempting to outrun a Iowa thunderstorm.  Shortly after this he decided to stop running.  Too much lightning. 

Right before the storm hit.  Had a green tint to the clouds.  

Lots of rain & wind.  They say the winds got up to 80 miles per hour.  

Soggy feet.  They look like prunes.  

A good way to finish a week of running, Chipotle Mexican Grill.  

Beautiful sunset on Saturday evening.  

Overall, the long week of running was great.  It is great to be on the second half of the AMS journey.  So very thankful for all the support of everyone, and for the response of others.  

Running with purpose in every step...

Jim

Jim Ellis is a professional long distance runner and motivational speaker.

He is currently at the half way point of the journey: having spoken 174 times in 20 Iowa communities to 8230 people since January 9th.

He welcomes any opportunity to SPEAK at schools, youth groups, churches, organization, clubs, etc. 

There is no cost.

What does Jim speak about?
Speaking Schedule

Others who recommend Jim
Awake My Sole in the News

Contact Jim for additional information OR if interested in having him come speak.

AwakeMySole@gmail.com

303-913-0986

AMS Speaking Schedule - www.AwakeMySole.com

Jim Ellis is a professional long distance runner and motivational speaker.

Since January 9th, he has spoken over 300 times in 20 Iowa communities to over 16,000 people (updated 12/17/12)

He welcomes any opportunity to SPEAK at schools, youth groups, churches, organizations, clubs, etc. 

There is no cost.

What does Jim speak about?
Speaking Schedule

Others who recommend Jim
Awake My Sole in the News

Contact Jim for additional information OR if interested in having him come speak.

AwakeMySole@gmail.com

303-913-0986

VIDEO of Jim at Northwestern College's Chapel - 12/5/2012 - Click "Watch" and then search "Awake My Sole"
A few pics of some of the places where Jim has share about the Awake My Sole journey

Elementary Schools

Summer Camps

Businesses

Middle Schools

College Groups

High School Groups

Assemblies

Younger Kiddos

Retirement Homes

Jim Ellis is a professional long distance runner and motivational speaker.

He welcomes any opportunity to SPEAK at schools, youth groups, churches, organizations, clubs, etc. 

There is no cost.

What does Jim speak about?
Speaking Schedule

Others who recommend Jim
Awake My Sole in the News

Contact Jim for additional information OR if interested in having him come speak.

AwakeMySole@gmail.com

303-913-0986

Video Recap - First Half of AMS journey

COME RUN WITH JIM on the AMS journey ::: INFO HERE

Come Run with Jim... Runners NEEDED!!!

To KICK-OFF the second half of the Awake My Sole journey: 

150 miles in 5 days.

For Jim, this is gonna be tough.  

He will need some serious encouragement.

With that in mind, he NEEDS people to come and run alongside him.  

INFO:

MAP

A. Waterloo. B. Manchester. C. Dubuque. D. Bellevue. E. Clinton

Tentative Schedule

Monday July 30 - Run from Waterloo (A) to Manchester (B) (47.1 miles)

Tuesday July 31 - Run from Manchester (B) to Dubuque (C) (43 miles)

Wednesday August 1 - REST DAY in Dubuque (C)

Thursday August 2 - Run from Dubuque (C) to Bellevue (D) (23.8 miles)

Friday August 3 - Run from Bellevue (D) to Clinton (E) (36.2 miles)

ONE-DAY RUNNERS:

Looking for people to come out for ONE day to RUN any amount of miles alongside of Jim.  We will have a vehicle that can take you back to your vehicle.

FIVE-DAY TEAM RUN: 

Assembling a team of 12 people to RUN a relay alongside of Jim.  One person runs for a couple miles, then jumps in a vehicle, and another person gets out and runs a couple miles, and so on (150 miles split up 12 ways is roughly 12.5 miles per person).  Starting point in Waterloo and Clinton is ending point.  A vehicle will drive people back to Waterloo.  

Additional Info:

• Jim is a slow runner.
• It will be a lot of fun.  
• No cost to enter (you will have to cover your food cost).
• Host homes will be lined-up for team runners (bring sleeping gear & extra clothes).
• You will have to figure out how to get to running spot.     
• All levels of runners welcomed.

Interested in running on the Awake My Sole journey?

E-mail Jim at AwakeMySole@gmail.com