Hello, friends! David here, checking in on Day 11 of the 7–40 Challenge—and man, what a day it’s been. If you’re new around here, welcome aboard. If you’ve been riding shotgun since Day 1, thanks for sticking with me. Either way, grab a seat (or a shovel), because today was real.
The Yard Work That Counted as a Workout
We’ve been knee-deep in projects at our new home, and today’s mission? Building a garden. Translation: post hole digging. A LOT of post hole digging.
Many hands make light work.
— John Heywood, 1546
And let me tell you—my hands did the work today. No gym, no timer, just me, a post hole digger, and a stubborn patch of earth that didn’t want to cooperate. But here’s the beautiful part: exercise wasn’t a checkbox—it was the job.
All those early mornings, all the sweat from the last two rounds of this challenge? They showed up today. My body needed to perform, and it did. Sore? Yup. Tired? Absolutely.
But every hole is dug. The posts are in. And I’m still standing.
The best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
— Theodore Roosevelt, 1903
Mission. Accomplished.
The 7 Habits: Still in the Fight
I hit a wall last weekend—let’s not sugarcoat it. A couple of days slipped, goals got fuzzy, and momentum took a hit. But this week? I’ve rebounded. Not with fireworks or fanfare, but with quiet, stubborn consistency.
Here’s the lineup—7 habits, 40 days:
1. Bible study & prayer
2. 60 minutes of exercise (Check—thanks, yard work!)
3. Read for 30 minutes
4. Write daily (Hey, you’re reading it!)
5. Log all food & water
6. Practice gratitude
7. Build social media know-how (Still learning—bear with me!)
Am I crushing it with gusto? Eh, debatable.
But I’ve steadied the ship. I’m back on course. And that? That feels good.
Why This Matters (Especially in My Mid-40s)
Let’s be real: I’m in my mid-40s. There are things I thought I’d have nailed by now—discipline, balance, maybe even a decent TikTok strategy (still working on that one).
Life got busy. Important things pulled me in a hundred directions. Some parts of me got neglected.
This challenge? It’s not just about habits. It’s about reclaiming balance. It’s about being healthier, happier, and here—for my family, for the long haul.
It’s about transformation.
It’s about showing up.
It’s about digging post holes and digging deeper into who I want to be.
Your Turn
Wherever you are—whether you’re swinging a shovel, crushing a deadline, or just trying to get through Friday—you’re in the fight too.
It’s Friday, November 7th. The weekend’s knocking.
Be healthy. Be happy. Be here.
We’ll see you tomorrow for Day 12.
Onward,
David Willis 