Hey there, friend. Welcome to Day 24 of my 7-40 Challenge. We’re knee-deep in this journey now, and honestly, it feels both exhilarating and exhausting. For those just tuning in, this challenge is all about building seven daily habits over extended periods—40-day increments that give me enough time to really grind through the reps and see what sticks.
I’m 64 days in at this point, and for the most part, I’ve held strong. Sure, life has thrown its curveballs these past two months—fast and furious doesn’t even cover it. But amid the chaos, I’m genuinely thankful for the progress I’ve made. There are days when I stare in the mirror and question if anything’s changed at all. Sound familiar? I know I’m not alone in that nagging doubt, and that’s exactly why I keep pushing forward.
Yesterday, I dove into a new audiobook: Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David. Man, this guy’s framework for success as a businessperson, entrepreneur, or really anyone chasing big goals is spot on. He’s all about strategic thinking, and his first “move” hits right at the core: understanding who you are and what you truly want.
One quote from the book really resonated with me, so I wanted to share it:
“If someone is winning at a higher level than you are, you either need to lower your expectations to match your current work ethic, or increase your work ethic to exceed your own expectations. If you do neither, you will be miserable. So one way or the other, you have to have expectations that match your work ethic to achieve the vision that you have set out for yourself.”
Boom. That one really made me think. It’s from his chapter on clarifying your desires, and it ties into another gem: “Your vision must align with who you want to be. Your choices must align with your vision, your effort must align with the size of your vision, and your behavior must align with your values and principles.”
Reading this chapter (or listening, in my case) was a message I didn’t know I needed. For years, I’ve toyed with the idea of going full entrepreneur mode—starting something from scratch, being my own boss. But if I’m brutally honest, that’s not the path for me right now. I love the thrill of entrepreneurial adventures, but I want them alongside my current career, not instead of it. At least for the foreseeable future.
Beyond that, I’ve always craved more success, more impact, more me. Yet, I’ve skimped on defining what that actually looks like. Who do I want to be? What do I want to achieve? There were times early in my career when I’d get frustrated watching others climb faster. I’d feel competitive, like I’d earned my spot, but things didn’t always move at my pace. Looking back, though, it all lines up with Bet-David’s wisdom: My achievements matched my effort. When I locked in on clear goals and poured in the work, promotions, raises, and recognition followed. When I coasted? Frustration city.
This reminds me of an insight from Thomas Edison, the inventor who embodied relentless hustle: “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” It’s a stark reminder that vision without sweat is just daydreaming. Edison didn’t just wish for breakthroughs; he aligned his effort with his ambitions, failing thousands of times before lighting up the world.
Now, in my 40s, I’m at this proverbial crossroads. I’m no longer that wide-eyed 20-something fumbling through. I’ve built a solid career, and I have a decent grasp on my strengths and identity. But it’s time to sharpen that vision—to define the scope of who I want to become in the years ahead. And for me, that’s deeply guided by my faith in God and trusting Jesus Christ to lead the way. As the Bible puts it in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” That verse has been a anchor for me, reminding me that true alignment comes from surrendering my path to something greater.
It’s wild to think that even now, I’m still essentially asking, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” But here’s the exciting part: I have more tools, experience, and excitement than ever before. I know I can chase those dreams—I just need to get crystal clear, craft a plan, and execute. For too long, fear held me back from that next step. No more. It’s time to move forward with confidence.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” For me, That’s the mindset I’m adopting. Whether it’s habits in this challenge or bigger life moves, it’s about deciding, aligning, and acting.
If you’re reading this and feeling that pull toward clarity or change, join me. What’s one step you can take today to align your vision with your effort? Let’s keep grinding—together.
Until next time, stay strong.
The 740 Challenge 