Hello, friends! Welcome to Day 36 of the 7-40 Challenge. Today has been a whirlwind of energy and accomplishment—three workouts in the books, and I’m feeling on top of the world. There’s a spark in me, a quiet excitement for the rest of the week and the chance to finish this round of the challenge strong. As I hinted in yesterday’s post, I’m already dreaming up the next seven goals to carry me forward, and I can’t wait to share those with you soon. But today, I want to pause and reflect on something close to my heart: the power of creativity and why nurturing it through daily habits is so vital.
I’ve always seen myself as a creative person. It’s part of my identity, woven into how I move through the world. But let’s be real—creativity isn’t always a lightning bolt. It’s not always a dramatic burst of inspiration that sets the world on fire. Sometimes, it’s slow. Sometimes, it’s stuck. There are days when I sit down to write or brainstorm, and the ideas just don’t flow. But then, every once in a while, something clicks. A spark ignites, and in a matter of moments, I’ve written a line, a lyric, or an idea that feels right—something I’m proud of. Those moments? They’re magic.
What I’ve learned through this challenge is that habits like daily writing help me capture those fleeting bursts of creativity. My journal isn’t just a place to log workouts or reflect on what I’ve read—it’s a net for catching ideas. Whether it’s a new story, a song lyric, or a fresh approach to a problem, the act of showing up every day creates space for those moments to happen. As author Julia Cameron once said, “Creativity is always a leap of faith. You’re faced with a blank page, a blank easel, or an empty stage.” By committing to the page, I’m taking that leap, trusting that something meaningful will emerge.
Creativity, to me, isn’t just about writing songs or crafting stories. It’s about seeing the world with fresh eyes. It’s about tackling problems—whether at work, at home, or in my own head—with new perspectives. There’s something deeply satisfying about wrestling with a challenge until, suddenly, the answer reveals itself. It’s like writing a song: after hours of tinkering, the right melody or solution just lands. That’s creativity at work, bridging the gap between imagination and reason to create something that works, something that lasts.
I was reminded of this recently while watching an old interview between Dan Rather and Toby Keith. Toby shared the story behind his hit song Should’ve Been a Cowboy. The inspiration came from a night out at a bar, where a rough-around-the-edges guy was turned down by a woman who later hit the dance floor with a young cowboy. Someone quipped, “Well, you should’ve been a cowboy,” and Toby’s creative antenna went up. That night, sitting on the edge of a motel bathtub, he wrote the song that would change his life. That’s the thing about creativity—it can strike anywhere, anytime, if you’re open to it. As artist Pablo Picasso famously said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Toby was ready, and the result was a song that resonated with millions.
I’m not saying we’ll all write a chart-topping hit or create a masterpiece that shifts our lives overnight. But I am saying that engaging our creativity every day sets us up for moments of brilliance—whether that’s solving a tricky problem at work, building something with our hands, or improvising a new skill after watching a YouTube tutorial. Creativity is versatile. It’s in the woodworking project I’m piecing together, the lyrics I’m drafting for a new song, or the way I reimagine an age-old challenge with a fresh perspective. It’s about making things I’m proud of and finding joy in the process.
So, here’s my challenge to you: lean into your creativity today. It doesn’t have to be grand. It could be a new way to organize your desk, a quick sketch in a notebook, or a clever fix for something that’s been bugging you. Whatever it is, show up for it. Keep your mind open, your pen ready, and your heart curious. I hope you’re having an awesome day, filled with ideas that spark and solutions that surprise you.
See you tomorrow for Day 37—let’s keep the momentum going!
David Willis 