Jim Semple’s Post

A couple of weeks have passed since London Marathon 2024 and I just want to reflect on what an absolutely amazing and life-changing day it was. The crowds were absolutely phenomenal – every single step of the way along the 26.2 mile route there were people who had turned up to cheer and shout encouraging messages of support. Such an immense atmosphere from start to finish: there was not a single quiet moment throughout the 4 hours of running. And I lost count of the number of high-fives on the way round. I also want to acknowledge all the people involved in organising the event and the volunteers who make it possible. And as a result of running this in support of a charity (Brain Tumour Research) I’ve met some wonderful people also running for the same cause. We supported each other all the way through the 16-week training plan, sharing the highs and the lows, and sharing our reasons why this particular charity holds a special importance for us. If there is anyone out there reading this who has the slightest inkling that maybe they would like to run a marathon one day, but is maybe lacking the confidence or self-belief, I would say just go for it. Sign up and commit to it. You will be amazed at what your body can do, if you properly train for it. As I wrote in this blog (https://lnkd.in/emamhmNU) it’s all about mindset, determination and being prepared to put in the training hours, following a tried-and-tested plan.  If I can, anyone can.  #london #marathon #running #mindset #LM24 https://lnkd.in/ejxWiuHf

🏃♂️ Just Crossed the 14K Finish Line! 🏁 👋 Today I finally completed my first long distance race this season. 🎉 After a season of ups and downs, battling injuries and health challenges, I'm proud to announce that I successfully completed a 14K long-distance race! 🏅 Overcoming obstacles is a fundamental part of life's marathon, and pushing through these challenges has been both humbling and empowering. 💪 Each step today was a testament to resilience, determination, and the support of those cheering me on. This run had a special purpose— #portathon was a Charity Run for a Cause organized by WAIA, a fantastic NGO championing various impactful initiatives. 🌟 The beauty of these runs is that you can choose to run for a cause close to your heart. Whether it's fitness, education, supporting differently-abled individuals, or raising awareness on critical issues, every step counts. As I crossed the finish line, I couldn't help but reflect on the broader significance of running for something beyond ourselves. It's a reminder that we can use our passion for a purpose greater than our own achievements. So, here's to pushing limits, overcoming setbacks, and running with a purpose! 🚀 Let's keep inspiring positive change, one step at a time. 💙 #RunningForACause #asanify *** Hey 👋 - thanks for reading! I post content related to Simplifying Work. ➕ Follow me and hit the bell 🔔 icon on my profile to be notified of every post

🚀 Embracing Challenges and Stepping (WAY) Out of Your Comfort Zone - A midlife crisis? 🚀 Recently, I embarked on a journey that will push me far beyond my comfort zone. One of the reasons for me putting this out here now is that it means I will have to do it! <back story> 5 years ago, getting a diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease gave me the wake-up call I had been ignoring for a long time - I needed to change lifelong ingrained bad habits. I woke up one morning & decided that I was going to run 5km, just once to prove that I could. I went from not being able to run 100 yards, to C25K to park runs, 10k’s, then half-marathons. Running has become a part of my daily routine. I’ve set up a running group where I live & we now have weekly group runs, with some people who started on the C25K program now entering half-marathons themselves. I have been adamant after each half-marathon I’ve done that there was no way I would ever enter a full 26.2 miles - it’s just too far! But.. of course, it’s been there as an itch and in the back of my mind, because it’s the 1 distance that I haven’t done. I turn 50 next month & I’ve been thinking about what I want to do to mark the occasion - I keep coming back to the same thing, that one of my lifetime ambitions, since I was a kid, has been to run the London Marathon. As a one-off this year, I entered both the public ballot and also the ballot for Kidney Care UK to see if I could get a place. If I did, then I’d have to do it & if I don’t then so be it, at least I tried… Last Friday I received a phone call from an unknown number that I nearly didn't answer - Kidney Care UK has offered me a place. I suppose I’ve got to do it now, haven’t I?? https://lnkd.in/gPQSfW6c #Marathon #ChallengeAccepted #pleasesponsorme #ComfortZone #Success

Below is an article on our upcoming Guinness World record attempt to raise funds for the MitoCanada charity! If you are able to donate to this important cause, please find link in comments below. Thanks for your support! Fluid Projects Consulting

I'm delighted to be running the London Marathon for...   Nah, despite over two decades of talking a great marathon in a professional context, I haven't ever completed that distance in one go, and will not be joining the ranks of contacts in your LinkedIn feed seeking sponsorship as 21 April draws inexorably closer. We exist in a sector echo chamber where everyone taking part in a mass event is supporting a cause they're connected to, skilfully sharing charity stories and distributing links to online fundraising pages. The reality - as shared by massive (ltd)'s latest Mass Participation Pulse Report - is that less than a third of people at any given marathon, half marathon, 10k, triathlon, or swim are raising funds for charity. The warm and fluffy motivation of supporting good causes is way down the list after fulfilling personal goals and getting fit. So, when someone does choose to participate for a charity it makes them VERY SPECIAL INDEED. Yet in fundraising teams across the land, the familiarity and usual-ness of dealing with event participants means we treat them less like the magical unicorns that they are and, frankly, more like sheep. Mass emails are sent greeting a "dear supporter," incoming queries are passed around internal teams taking days to recieve a response, the same tired case studies and shopping lists are trotted out again and again, and the vital act of saying thank you is entrusted to operational teams (or even outsourced entirely). Thing is, it's cheaper and easier than you think to make supporters feel special. I may be giving away valuable IP and consigning myself to a life of unemployment here, but it's this simple: 1. Draw the supporter journey and have colleagues (or even better, supporters themselves) tell you where it's broken 2. Identify the quickest easiest fixes and do them 3. Repeat If you'd like some help with that give me a shout. In the meantime, there's heaps of great insight in the Massive's Mass Participation Pulse Report and it's free, so go and grab it here: https://lnkd.in/ecxBwsyA ___________ A white cartoon unicorn has big friendly eyes, a pink snout and hooves, a twirly straight horn, and the most magnificent rainbow mane and tail. It's galloping across a white background, leaping into the air. It came from clipartbest.com.

MEET THE TEAM #4  We're entering a team into this year's UK Challenge raising money for www.beefysfoundation.org As they are in the midst of some intensive training 😉 let's shine a light on them and celebrate their dedication and commitment to winning. Today's team member is Rob Kennedy, we asked him a few questions so you can get to know a bit about him... 1. Why did you decide to do the UK Challenge? I absolutely love a challenge and to have one which stretches over a few days and tests all aspects of the human body is something I’m very keen to have a go at with my team. 2. What are you looking to get. out of it? I am really looking to see how far we can push ourselves. I believe in our team and personally I’ve always thought I’ve got great stamina, so testing this will be awesome. I love being part of a team and achieving great results. So I will always look to help and to push everyone forward. 3. Which bits excite and scare you the most? The unknown of the challenge and the fact I’ve got very little actual idea (except what my team have discussed with us from previous UK challenges) of what to expect is thrilling. I am buzzing to get going and wish it was this weekend coming! 4. What training are you doing for the event? I have been doing some serious hill walking, some road cycling and also I go to the gym and lift weights 3 x per week. So I am fully focused on doing the best I can here. I have also planned a canoe/ kayak trip with one of the group to have a proper go down a river and see how far we can reach. 5. What other 'challenge' do you like doing in your spare time? I do love to build, I recently had a go at fitting a kitchen (it was like Ikea with no instructions and many many more hurdles you have to overcome. Having the right tools is great. There'll be more introductions to our team as we near the event! #ukchallenge #beefyfoundation #teamwork

Anyone else like running marathons? In 13 days I’ll be running the Chicago Marathon for my 3rd world major. I’m not a fast runner, but I’m addicted to the process! I find marathon training/running to be a microcosm of one’s career goals so I wanted to share some similarities: ✅ Research: I enjoy learning from others experiences and mistakes to guide my training and preparation to reach my goal. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance of those who helped pave the way. ✅ Respect the Distance: Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint so strategic planning is key to reach your goals! ✅ Effort and Time: Following an 18-20 week training plan requires hard work and dedication just as planning your career. Putting in the effort and time is important and requires understanding from your friends and family as well. ✅ Enjoy the journey! Marathon training and getting to the next point in your career should be an enjoyable experience! ✅ Adapt! You can plan as much as possible, but injuries and life may get in the way. Race day could have unexpected weather as well, so you always have to be prepared. Being adaptable in your career goals is also an important trait to have! “Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the mouth” - Mike Tyson Any other marathon runners out there with some words of wisdom? How do you balance training and work? If anyone would like to support my charity for the marathon, I’ll be running for a local children’s charity, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls and you can donate here; every dollar would be appreciated 🙏🏼 https://lnkd.in/gVVN5R-G Wish me luck! #ChicagoMarathon #marathonrunning #careergoals #goals

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Mission Accomplished: My First Ever Olympic Triathlon! This weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Brighton Olympic Triathlon—a milestone I never imagined I'd reach. But this wasn't just about crossing the finish line; it was about supporting a cause close to my heart, Stroke Association! At the start of 2024, I set three goals for myself: 💪 Get Stronger 💼 Achieve Financial Stability 📚 Keep Learning Rather than setting a goal and never doing it, I challenged myself with sub-goals, from 10K runs to half marathons, sprint triathlons, and finally, this Olympic triathlon. If you had told me I'd accomplish all of this in just 8 months, I would have laughed it off. But here I am—stronger, healthier, and more determined than ever. What I've learned is that growth happens when you push yourself beyond what seems possible. For me, it's not about winning; it's about the journey, the discipline, and the joy of achieving what once seemed out of reach. But the journey doesn't end here... Half Iron Man or Marathon next? ---- Just because I completed the Triathlon doesn't mean you can't donate - If you'd like to support Stroke Association and contribute to their vital work, please consider donating here: https://lnkd.in/ehxpTQ7g #Triathlon #PersonalGrowth #StrokeAwareness #NeverGiveUp #HealthJourney

As its London Marathon weekend 🏃♂️ I thought about how running a marathon can be comparable to running a project. With that thought and with lots of years of experience of running projects and marathons, I’d thought I’d put a few thoughts out there ahead of this Sunday. Scope and Project Requirements – 26.219 miles. I don’t think there will be appetite for uncertainly or scope creep on this. ✔ Milestones and checkpoints! ·      Mile 7 – Cutty Sark. A good stage one checkpoint and knowing you are on track and there is a business case to carry on. 😊 ·      Miles 12/13 – Tower Bridge. Nearly halfway though and confidence is starting to grow a little. ·      Mile 17 – Canary Wharf. Some of the hardest miles and the real business end of the project, morale can be low, mental fatigue can set in, but we go on. ·      Mile 22 - Tower Bridge (2nd time). This is really all about the implementation, head down and final checks to the finish. ·      Mile 26 – Buckingham place. Go live and project closure! Manage the risks! ·      Training Plan - Have I done enough training? ·      Implementation plan - What if the run doesn’t go to plan? ·      Benefits Realisation - What are the benefits of doing this?   ·      Stakeholders – Will people laugh at me? Will I let people down? Finally, hopefully by 5.00pm on Sunday, I will have finished and its time for project closure, which will involve a few beers 🍺 and knowing that I have raised a little bit of money for the Marie Curie Charity. If you do have a few spare pennies and wish to sponsor me to make this even more worthwhile, I have attached a link below. Have a great weekend everyone, Terry https://lnkd.in/e88D-w3A