Writing Without Fear: Lessons from the 7-40 Challenge

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey there, friends! I’m 33 days into the 7-40 Challenge—seven daily habits over 40 days to spark growth and transformation. I am so thankful for this challenge. It has me back in a good space practicing daily. 

One habit I’ve clung to is reading or listening to a book for at least 30 minutes every day. There have even been days where I have gotten in a couple of hours, soaking up ideas like a sponge. It’s become a welcome pause, a moment to breathe and grow. For me, this daily ritual is my way of arming myself with knowledge, clarity, and a whole lot of heart.

A Space to Ponder

This reading habit isn’t just about flipping pages or hitting play on an audiobook. It’s about carving out space to think. I’ve revisited books I read years ago, and let me tell you, it’s like meeting an old friend who’s got new stories to share. With a clearer sense of who I am now, those familiar words hit differently. It’s humbling, sometimes exhilarating, to see old lessons in a new light. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” That’s what this practice does—it stretches me, challenges me, and pushes me to become a better version of myself.

Journaling with Courage

Today I began diving into Suleika Jaouad’s The Creative Alchemy, a book that’s both a gut-punch and an inspiration. It’s built around a 100-day journaling challenge, born from the author’s battle with a rare form of leukemia. The book is a collection of 100 essays from her community, each paired with a prompt to get you writing. One question stopped me in my tracks: What would you write if you weren’t afraid?

Whoa. That made me think. Are there topics I am staying away from because I am afraid of them? After considering for a few, I believe this would be my answer:

If fear wasn’t in the driver’s seat, I’d write about my life through the lens of lessons learned. Some parts of my story? They’re sacred, private, and mine to keep. But others—those universal moments of struggle, triumph, and the messy beauty of being human—those are meant to be shared. I want to write stories that uplift, that remind people they’re not alone. I’m inspired by Zig Ziglar, who said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” His words weren’t just about sales—they were about connection, service, and lifting others up. That’s the kind of writing I’d do: stories that resonate, that spark hope, that build bridges.

Faith, Love, and Shared Humanity

Writing without fear would mean living with intention. It would force me to be deliberate about my time, my words, and how I share my faith in God and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I’ve never been shy about being a Christian, but I’ll admit I’ve sometimes held back personal stories, worried they might make someone squirm. Here’s what I’m learning: discomfort often comes from how a story is shared. If I approach it with love, empathy, and a desire to share God’s love, the walls come down, and understanding takes root.

My goal—whether I’m writing or speaking—is to share God’s love through my story. I want to shine a light on the struggles we all face, the shared humanity that binds us. As Charles Dickens put it in A Tale of Two Cities, “We are all fellow-passengers to the grave.” If we embraced that truth—that we’re all in this together—the world would feel less divided. I believe in right and wrong, and my faith is my anchor. Sharing stories of hope, resilience, and redemption is how I’d write if fear didn’t hold me back.

Choosing Courage

This 7-40 Challenge has shown me that fear is a choice. Every day, when I carve out time to read, I’m choosing to grow. I’m choosing to challenge myself. I’m choosing to live with intention. If I can take that courage to the page, I can write the stories that matter—stories that inspire, uplift, and remind us we’re all fellow travelers on this crazy road called life.

So, here’s to writing without fear. Here’s to sharing the lessons learned. And here’s to trusting that our stories, when told with love, can light the way for others. As C.S. Lewis once said, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” Let’s start where we are. Let’s write without fear.

So, tell me—what would you write if you weren’t afraid?

Day 31 of the 7-40 Challenge: When Life Reminds You What Matters Most

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey there, friends! Welcome to Day 31 of my 7-40 Challenge, where I’m sharing the ups, downs, and unexpected detours of this journey. Some days, everything clicks like clockwork. You breeze through your to-do list, check off your goals, and feel like you’re absolutely crushing it. Everything works just as you planned, no surprises, no hiccups. And then, there are other days—days when life throws you a curveball, and you realize some priorities outshine even the most well-intentioned plans.

Today was one of those days. I was powering through my seven daily habits, ticking them off one by one. I was on a roll—until I didn’t quite make it to my exercise goal. But let me tell you, the reason why is one I wouldn’t trade for anything.

We had company over tonight, which already shook up the routine a bit. But before they arrived, my son looked at me with a genuine smile and asked, “Dad, do you think we could spend some time tonight and maybe shoot around a golf game on the Nintendo Switch?” Y’all, I love my goals. I love my habits and the structure they bring to my life. But there was no way I was going to say no to that.

Sometimes, the most important goals—the ones that truly matter—take precedence over everything else. So, what did we do? We cranked up some music, fired up the Nintendo Switch, and played 18 holes of Mario Golf. And let me tell you, it was a blast. We laughed, we competed, and we made memories that I’ll carry with me forever.

Here’s the thing: I set goals and build habits so I can be my best self—fit, present, and ready for the people who mean the most to me. My family is my why. They’re the heartbeat of everything I do, second only to my relationship with God. When they call, when they need me, or when they just want to hang out and play some virtual golf, you better believe I’m choosing them over any checklist.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have these relationships in my life. My family is my treasure, and moments like tonight are the ones I cherish most. It’s a reminder that life isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about showing up for the people you love.

So, how about you? Have you carved out time today for the ones who light up your world? Have you laughed, connected, or done something just for the joy of it? I hope so, because those are the moments that make life truly rich.

Drop a comment below and let me know how you’re spending time with the people you love. I’d love to hear about it! Thanks for joining me on Day 31 of the 7-40 Challenge. I’m grateful for you all, and I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 32!

Day 30 of the 7-40 Challenge: A Walk, a Stranger, and a Lesson in Gratitude

~ David Willis ~ 1 Comment

Today marks day 30 of my 7-40 Challenge—a 40-day journey where I’ve committed to practicing seven habits daily to better myself and the world around me. Ten days to go, and I’m already overflowing with gratitude. This milestone feels like a victory, not just for sticking with it but for the unexpected moments that have reshaped my perspective along the way. Today, I want to share a story from my lunch break—a simple walk that turned into a profound reminder of what it means to be thankful.

It was an unusually cool August day in Oklahoma, where triple-digit heat is the norm this time of year. The temperature hovered in the low 70s, a rare gift that made my daily half hour walk feel like a treat. I was strolling through downtown, earphones in, soaking in the fresh air and the rhythm of my steps. The walk itself is always a highlight—part exercise, part mental reset. But today, it became something more.

As I paused at a crosswalk, a voice broke through my music. “Young fella, young fella! Can I talk to you for a minute?” I turned to see an elderly man, his clothes worn and his face weathered, clearly someone who’d been living on the streets. I popped out an earphone, smiled, and said hello. He grinned back, his eyes bright despite his circumstances, and said, “Young fella, can you spare 87 cents?”

Eighty-seven cents. The specificity caught me off guard. Either this man knew exactly what he needed—down to the penny, tax included—or it was the cleverest pitch I’d ever heard. I couldn’t help but chuckle, especially since he called me “young fella” at an age when I’m starting to feel more “old fella” than “young.” I reached into my pocket, and pulled out what I had…a $5 bill. I handed it to him and said, “How about five dollars?”

His reaction was pure gold. His eyes widened in what seemed like genuine disbelief, and he broke into a wide, toothy smile. “Thank you!” he said, offering me a fist bump. “God bless!” That moment hit me like a ton of bricks. Here was a man, likely facing hardships I can’t even imagine, radiating gratitude for a simple $5 bill. If that’s not a reality check, I don’t know what is.

I wish I could’ve stayed longer, sat on that curb, and heard his story. Why 87 cents? What brought him to that corner? What was his life like? Despite his circumstances, his smile was infectious, his gratitude palpable. It made me pause and reflect on my own life. I’m not sharing this to pat myself on the back—far from it. This encounter humbled me. It reminded me that even in the face of struggle, gratitude can shine through. This man, with so little, was thankful for what I could give. That’s the posture I want to carry in my heart.

The 7-40 Challenge has been about building habits, but moments like this remind me why I’m doing it. Life is a gift. I’ve been provided for, even through tough times. I’ve worked hard, sure, but I’m blessed beyond measure—a family that is healthy and safe, a roof over my head, food on my table, a warm bed to sleep in. These are things I can so easily take for granted. Meeting this man today was a clear reminder to stay grounded, to use the talents and resources I’ve been given to better myself and the world around me.

I don’t know if that gentleman will ever read these words, but I’m grateful for him—for his smile, his gratitude, and the chance to pause and reflect on that downtown corner. As I head into day 31 of the challenge, I’m carrying his lesson with me: gratitude isn’t just for the big wins or the easy days. It’s for the small moments, the unexpected encounters, the reminders that we’re all connected.

So, I’d love to hear from you. Have you had a moment recently that made you stop and feel grateful? Share your story in the comments—I’m all ears. Day 30 is in the books, and I’m ready for tomorrow. Here’s to day 31 and the lessons it brings.

See you then.

What Do You Want and How Bad Do You Want It? The Fuel That Ignites Your Dreams

~ David Willis ~ 2 Comments

Hello there. Pause for a moment and ask yourself: What do you want, and how bad do you want it? This isn’t about fleeting wishes or goals jotted down on a whim. It’s about that deep, burning desire that jolts you awake in the morning and dances in your dreams at night. The kind of want that demands every ounce of your focus, your drive, your relentless spirit. What do you want so bad that you could become obsessed with it? Because half-hearted efforts don’t leave a legacy—they barely leave a mark. To make something real, you’ve got to dive in with everything you’ve got.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Energy and persistence conquer all things.” You have to know the goal you are after. But, it’s not just about what you want; it’s about how fiercely you’re willing to chase it. Let’s unpack this through a story from my own life that still stings years later, a lesson in what happens when you don’t bring your all.

The Half-Hearted Hustle: A Wake-Up Call

Remember being a kid, sent on a mission by your parents? “Find that lost toy” or “Clean your room.” You’d poke around for a minute, call it impossible, and slink back with excuses. That’s the default for too many of us—minimal effort, maximum cop-outs. But life doesn’t reward those who give up quickly; it honors those who push through.

When I was 18, a rookie reporter for my college newspaper, I learned this the hard way. My editor tasked me with covering a speaker whose story was, in her words, interesting and story worthy. She wanted the heart of his experience—what he’d done, seen, and endured—to captivate our readers. Simple enough? Nope. Instead of diving in, I treated it like a casual outing. I brought a date to the event, chatted through the talk, and left early to get my date home. When I sauntered back to my editor with a lazy “No story there,” she looked at me like I’d lost my mind.

“Are you out of your mind?” she snapped. “He was a rescue worker at the Oklahoma City bombing. Of course there’s a story—a remarkable one!”

She was right. The 1995 bombing was a national tragedy, and this man had been in the thick of it. My apathy had blinded me. Desperate to save face (and my job), I did what I should’ve done from the start: I tracked him down, got him on the phone, and asked every question I could think of.

What I heard was unforgettable, even 28 years later I can remember his voice as he told me the events. He described arriving at the chaotic scene, pulling bodies and parts of bodies from the rubble amid dust and despair. He described hope mixed with exhaustion as the work wore on. How the team’s morale crumbled when they learned it was a domestic attack, not foreign terrorism. The weight of it impacted him greatly. He couldn’t stay in his job. It drove him to attempt suicide multiple times one night. Only through his family’s prayers—especially his mother’s—did he find the strength to seek help and heal. Two years after the tragedy, he was sharing his story to inspire others.

That interview turned “no story” into the story—a raw testament to resilience. As Winston Churchill said during World War II’s darkest hours, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” That rescuer lived it, and I almost missed it because I didn’t want it bad enough.

From “No Way” to “I Made It Happen”

That screw-up was a gut check. If I’d given that assignment my full focus from the start, I wouldn’t have needed a second chance. But that’s the power of tenacity: It uncovers gold where laziness sees only dirt. When you decide what you want and pursue it with everything you’ve got, you don’t just chase a goal—you transform yourself. You go from “There’s no story” to “This is my story, and here’s how I shaped it.”

Think about your own dreams. What do you want? A thriving career? A stronger family? A passion project that lights you up? Now, how bad do you want it? Progress comes from relentless commitment, not fleeting bursts of effort.

Albert Einstein, who changed the world by wrestling with impossible problems, put it best: “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” That’s the edge—sticking with it when others walk away.

Live with Fire: Your Call to Action

I’m older now, and I’ve lived enough to know I don’t want passive, uninspired days. I want to live on purpose. With focus. With impact. I want to pour out the love of God and goodness into the world, sharing my story to lift others up. Because when you chase what you want with every fiber of your being, you don’t just achieve—you become something greater. I am still a work in progress, but thankfully I keep walking further down this road.

So, ask yourself again: What do you want, and how bad do you want it? What are you willing to sacrifice, to endure, to make it real? Answer that, and you’re already closer to turning your dreams into reality. As Nelson Mandela said after decades of fighting for freedom, “It always seems impossible until it is done.” Now let’s go write our stories—with fire.

Face the Challenge: Prioritize and Execute for Transformation

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hello, friends! Welcome to Day 29 of my 7-40 Challenge—a 40-day journey of committing to seven daily habits to spark transformation and focus in my life. As I kick off week five, I’m amazed at how far I’ve come. This challenge has been a game-changer, forcing me to reflect deeply on what I’ve accomplished over the past 28 days—things I couldn’t seem to tackle for weeks or even months before. I hope you’re out there chasing your own bold, wild ideas and crushing it on your corner of the internet!

Today, I want to dive into a principle that’s been a cornerstone of my progress: prioritize and execute. This concept hit me like a ton of bricks when I read Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. It’s a principle that’s not just about getting things done—it’s about getting the right things done with precision and excellence.

The Chaos of Competing Priorities

Life throws a million things at us, doesn’t it? To-do lists pile up, notifications ping, and before you know it, you’re juggling tasks like a circus performer. The temptation to multitask is real, but as Willink and Babin point out, trying to do everything at once often means doing nothing well. In Extreme Ownership, they write:

“When overwhelmed, it’s easy to get sucked into a cycle of trying to do everything at once, which leads to accomplishing nothing effectively.” (Extreme Ownership, Chapter 7)

Their solution? Prioritize and execute. List out what needs to be done, identify the highest-priority task, and tackle it with full focus before moving to the next. This approach isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s a mindset for thriving under pressure.

The authors share a gripping example from their time as Navy SEALs in Iraq. During a high-stakes operation, their team faced a crisis: an explosive device was about to detonate, one of their soldiers had fallen through a rooftop, and they were exposed to enemy fire with no cover. Chaos could have taken over, but the leader did something critical:

“He took a deep breath, prioritized the most immediate task, and executed. Secure the roof. Establish cover. Locate the fallen soldier. Account for the team. Evacuate safely.” (Extreme Ownership, Chapter 7)

By training relentlessly for such scenarios, they ingrained the habit of prioritizing under stress. They didn’t just survive—they succeeded because they focused on one task at a time, executed with precision, and moved forward systematically.

Applying Prioritize and Execute to My Life

When I reflect on the past 29 days of the 7-40 Challenge, I see this principle at work in my own life, even if I didn’t always realize it. I’ve set out to transform my fitness, refine my diet, sharpen my mind, and share my story with the world—goals that felt overwhelming before this challenge. But by making a daily commitment to prioritize and execute, I’ve made real progress.

For me, the top priority is starting each day with Bible study and prayer—a habit I’ve maintained for over three years. It grounds me and sets the tone for everything else. From there, I tackle my fitness goals, writing, and other priorities, one by one. This disciplined approach has helped me avoid the “higgledy-piggledy, all-over-the-place” style that used to leave me with half-finished tasks and no real progress.

The Four Quadrants of Prioritization

This idea of prioritization also connects to another book that’s shaped my thinking: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. In it, Covey introduces the Time Management Matrix, which divides tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:

  1. Urgent and Important: Crises and deadlines that demand immediate attention.
  2. Not Urgent but Important: Long-term goals, planning, and growth—where we should spend most of our time.
  3. Urgent but Not Important: Interruptions or distractions that can often be delegated or ignored.
  4. Not Urgent and Not Important: Time-wasters we should avoid.

Covey emphasizes the power of focusing on Quadrant II—tasks that are important but not urgent:

“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit 3)

By focusing on what’s important before it becomes urgent, we prevent fires from starting in the first place. For me, this means carving out time for fitness, writing, and reflection before they turn into regrets or crises.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

Let’s be real: we’re busier than ever. I’m speaking for myself, but I have a hunch you feel it too. The demands of life—work, family, social media, endless notifications—can pull us in every direction. It’s easy to check things off a to-do list without really moving the needle on what matters most. As Covey puts it:

“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit 3)

The 7-40 Challenge has forced me to confront this head-on. By setting clear priorities and executing them daily, I’m not just checking boxes—I’m building a life aligned with my values and goals. Whether it’s on a battlefield, in a boardroom, or at home with family, the principle of prioritize and execute is universal.

Your Turn: What’s Your Priority?

So, I’m curious: How do you handle the chaos of competing demands? Have you found ways to prioritize and execute in your own life? Maybe it’s a morning routine that sets you up for success, or a system for tackling your biggest goals. Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your strategies!

As I head into Day 30, I’m more committed than ever to staying focused and executing with excellence. Thanks for following along on this journey. Here’s to crushing it, one priority at a time!

References:

  • Willink, J., & Babin, L. (2015). Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win. St. Martin’s Press.

• • Covey, S. R. (1989). The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Free Press.