David Willis Blog

Keep Getting Better: Day 8 of the 7-40 Challenge

Hello, friends. Welcome to Day 8 of Round 3 in the 7-40 Challenge. It’s a bright, sunshiny day—perfect for a lunchtime walk that’s lifting my mood and shifting my outlook on everything else in life.

I was just listening to See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar, and one line stopped me in my tracks. He said: “When we stop getting better, not long after, we will soon no longer be good at what we do.”

Let that sink in. When we stop getting better, we cease to be good.

I’ve been turning this over in my mind, applying it to a few corners of my own life to see if it holds water. Spoiler: it does.

In My Day Job

If I coast on what I know today—doing the job exactly as I do it now—I’ll earn a paycheck for a while. But technology doesn’t pause. Innovations will sprout up around me, and before long I’ll be out of step, unable to perform at the level I once did. The world changes; if I stay the same, I become obsolete.

As the industrialist Andrew Carnegie once observed, “The only irreplaceable capital an organization possesses is the knowledge and ability of its people. The more you develop that, the more valuable it becomes.” Resting on yesterday’s skills is a quiet way to watch your value erode.

In My Marriage

If I stop investing in my relationship—stop dating my wife, stop deepening the connection—our marriage risks becoming less than we dreamed. Frustrations creep in, fulfillment fades. Without continual improvement, what’s good today won’t stay good tomorrow.

As a Dad

I love my son fiercely. I want a strong relationship with him as he grows, and I want him to become a happy, healthy, well-adjusted man grounded in faith, hope, and a deep belief in God. That doesn’t happen on autopilot. I have to keep instructing, keep loving, keep teaching him how to navigate a world full of dangers, how to resist temptation, how to stand tall as a man in a culture that increasingly makes it hard.

If I stop improving as a father, what I have will cease to be good.

In My Health

That’s why I’m out here walking, why I’m carving out an hour to work out, why I’m pushing to return to optimal levels. I feel better, yes—but more importantly, I’m ensuring the day never comes when I’m no longer able to move, to play, to keep up.

The inventor Thomas Edison put it bluntly: “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” Improvement isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the only sustainable path.

The Bottom Line

Improvement isn’t optional. It’s the price of staying good at anything that matters. It demands change, growth, and occasional discomfort. But the alternative—stagnation—is far costlier.

I want to be more and do more than I am today.

I want to be more for my family.

I want to be more in my career.

I want to be more for everyone I influence.

I want to keep getting better.

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing—thank you for reading these words. I appreciate you. I’m grateful for you. And I hope you, too, are striving to become the best version of yourself.

See you tomorrow for Day 9.

David Willis Blog

Chasing Purpose Over Perfection: Day 36 of the 7-40 Challenge

Hey there, friends! Welcome to Day 36 of Round 2 of my 7-40 Challenge. Wherever this post finds you today, I hope you’re thriving, crushing your goals, and kicking off the week with a spark. I’ll be real with you—when I glanced at my watch and saw it’s already October 13, 2025, I did a double-take. Time is flying. The older I get, the faster it seems to slip through my fingers. Life’s been a whirlwind lately, and I’ve been wrestling to slow it down and get a grip on the chaos.

That’s exactly why I’m so laser-focused on my daily habits. Without them, time would just flitter away, leaving me at the end of the year wondering, “What the heck happened?” As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Lost time is never found again.” That hits hard, doesn’t it? My daily to-do list is my anchor, guiding me to make sure I’m steering my days with intention rather than letting them drift.

For those who’ve been following along, you know I’m working on seven core habits in this round of the 7-40 Challenge:

1. Daily Bible study and prayer

2. Tracking calories and drinking 100 ounces of water

3. Exercising for an hour each day

4. Reading or listening to audiobooks for 30 minutes

5. Practicing gratitude

6. Writing daily to capture my journey and thoughts

7. Pursuing my business and entrepreneurial goals

If I’m being honest, I’d give myself a B or maybe a B-minus for Round 2. I’ve been rock-solid on some habits, like my Bible study—I just hit three full years of reading the Bible every morning, which feels like a cornerstone of who I am. I’m also pretty consistent with my water intake (100 ounces daily? Nailed it). Reading has been a win, too—I’ve devoured eight books over the last 75 days, only missing one day. Right now, I’m diving into Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David, Desire by John Eldredge, and Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis. Each one’s sparking new ideas and perspectives.

Writing daily has been a game-changer, too. Getting my thoughts on paper (or screen) helps me process what I’m learning and keeps me grounded. It’s like a daily checkpoint to reflect on how I’m doing and what’s on my mind. And gratitude? I’m trying to weave it into the fabric of my days—saying “thank you” for my family, my friends, my job, and the small kindnesses that come my way. As the 17th-century poet George Herbert once wrote, “Thou that hast given so much to me, give one thing more—a grateful heart.” I want gratitude to define me, not just be a box I check.

Now, where I “‘ve stumbled a bit is with my entrepreneurial goals. I haven’t been as consistent as I’d like in chasing those creative and business projects. But here’s the plan: as Round 3 kicks off in a few days, I’m doubling down. I want to get laser-focused and make daily progress on those dreams. The last 2.5 months of 2025 are going to be about clarity and action.

Here’s the thing—I’ve done challenges like this before, whether it’s 75 Hard or ones I’ve cooked up myself. In the past, I’d hit resistance, miss a day, and quit. Then I’d restart, hit another snag, and repeat the cycle. It was exhausting, and honestly, it got me nowhere. Perfectionism was the enemy, leaving me neither perfect nor productive. As C.S. Lewis wisely noted, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

This time, I’m doing it differently. These two rounds of the 7-40 Challenge haven’t been flawless, but they’ve been meaningful. I’ve lost 20 pounds in the last two and a half months. I’ve read more in the past 75 days than I have in years. My mind feels sharper, my days more purposeful. I’m not chasing perfection anymore—I’m chasing purpose and progress. And let me tell you, consistent productivity feels so much better than occasional perfection.

So, how about you? How do you tackle your goals? Do you beat yourself up when things aren’t perfect, or do you give yourself grace and focus on moving forward? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop them in the comments or shoot me a message.

Thank you for being here, for reading along, and for joining me on this journey. You’re appreciated more than you know. Here’s to winning one day at a time. See you tomorrow for Day 37!

A Quick Note: If you’re curious about the 7-40 Challenge or want to follow along, keep checking in here. I’m documenting the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Let’s keep pushing forward together!

David Willis Blog

Finding Awe in the Quiet: A Morning Under the Stars

Good morning, or perhaps good evening, wherever you are in this beautiful, spinning world. It’s October 6th, and I’m diving into day 29 of my 7-40 Challenge, round two. The sun hasn’t yet peeked over the horizon, but I’m already out here, heart pumping from my first workout of the day. The moon hangs bright in the sky, and Orion, one of my favorite constellations, gazes down at me. There’s a stillness, a quiet magic in this moment, and I want to share it with you.

Let me confess something: I not naturally a morning person. Oh no, the snooze button and I were old friends. In my younger years, I’d set the loudest alarm I could find, place it across the room to force myself out of bed, and still—still—I’d hit snooze, shuffle back under the covers, and repeat the cycle. One time, I even had an alarm that sounded like a bullhorn. Imagine drifting through a peaceful dream only to be jolted awake by what felt like a drill instructor screaming in your ear. It was jarring, to say the least.

But as I’ve grown older, I’ve made peace with the alarm clock. Like most of us, I have to get up, go to work, and show up for life’s demands. Yet, somewhere along the way, I’ve come to cherish these early hours. There’s something sacred about the world before it wakes up, before the noise and busyness take over. It’s in these quiet moments that I find rhythm, clarity, and connection—to God, to myself, and to the awe-inspiring creation around me.

This morning, as I stepped outside, the cool air brushed against my skin, and I heard the gentle whisper of the breeze moving through the trees. They swayed softly under the glow of a streetlamp, their leaves dancing in the pre-dawn light. I looked up, and there they were: stars scattered across the sky like diamonds, twinkling with a quiet brilliance. And then, as I lingered, I spotted those steady, unshaking lights—not stars, but planets, millions of miles away, whirling through space yet appearing so still, so present, as if they were placed there just for me to marvel at.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” That’s what these mornings feel like—a chance to see the world illuminated by something greater. The heavens, as the Psalmist declares, truly “proclaim the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). In the quiet, under the vastness of the sky, I’m reminded of a God who loves us, who crafted this universe with such precision and beauty. It’s humbling. It’s grounding. It fills me with gratitude to be alive, to be here, in this moment.

John Eldredge, in his book Wild at Heart, says, “Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.” For me, these early mornings prepare me for that adventure and the battles of the day that lie ahead. I get to face them with my family and friends by my side. I get to fight for the hearts of those I love. It fills me with purpose. In the stillness, and the moments before the world wakes up I can be still and prepare for the day. It’s in this space that I can reflect on God’s plan for my life, focus on my goals and simply be.

The world is busy, isn’t it? There’s always something vying for our attention—notifications, deadlines, to-do lists. But these quiet moments? They’re a gift. They’re a chance to step away from the chaos and find peace, and to reconnect with the One who made it all. Whether it’s the rustle of leaves, the twinkle of a distant planet, or the simple act of taking a deep breath, these moments remind us that we’re part of something so much bigger.

So, wherever you are today, whatever’s going on in your life, I pray you find your own moment of peace. Step outside, even if just for a minute. Look up at the sky, feel the air, and let yourself be reminded of the beauty around you. I pray you feel God’s love today.

Now, let’s go out and do some good things to start this week. I’ll see you tomorrow for day 30.

David Willis Blog

Day 28 of the 7–40 Challenge: Embracing the Intrapreneur Mindset

Hey there, friends! Welcome to Day 28 of my 7–40 Challenge. As Sunday winds down, I’m reflecting on an incredible weekend filled with accomplishments, quality family time, and some serious progress on my daily goals. It’s been a whirlwind, but the kind that leaves you energized and ready for more. Tonight, I want to share some thoughts inspired by a book I’ve been diving into—Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David. This book is hitting me square in the chest, and I think it might resonate with you too.

Bet-David’s story is raw and real. He doesn’t sugarcoat his journey from a less-than-stellar student to a powerhouse salesman, entrepreneur, and now CEO of a major corporation and media company. He’s upfront about the grind, the failures, and the wins. What’s got me hooked is his take on entrepreneurship—and a concept I’d never heard before: intrapreneurship. Yeah, it’s a new one for me too, and it’s got my wheels turning.

The Entrepreneurship Dream vs. Reality

Let’s talk about entrepreneurship for a second. It’s that shiny goal so many of us chase, right? The idea of being your own boss, calling the shots, and building something from the ground up. But here’s the reality check: most of us don’t end up there. Gary Vaynerchuk once said, “If you’ve struck out on your own to be an entrepreneur, where you’re alone or the boss, you are only 1% of people.” One percent! That leaves the rest of us—99%—wondering how we can create value, make an impact, and maybe even scratch that entrepreneurial itch without quitting our day jobs.

That’s where Bet-David’s idea of being an intrapreneur comes in, and let me tell you, it’s a revelation. He describes an intrapreneur as someone who acts like an entrepreneur within the company they work for. They spot chaos, identify a problem that needs solving, and dive in headfirst to tackle it. They don’t just clock in and out—they own the problem. They build alliances, lead without a title, and shape the organization from the inside out. As Bet-David puts it, “The best intrapreneurs are the ones who treat the company’s problems as if they were their own.”

Owning the Chaos, No Title Required

This idea hit me hard because it flips the script on what it means to make a difference. You don’t need to be the CEO or start your own company to have an impact. Whether it’s your day job, your church, or any organization you’re part of, there are problems begging for someone to step up and solve them. Bet-David writes, “An intrapreneur sees opportunity in the chaos and takes responsibility for creating value.” That’s powerful. It’s about asking yourself: What am I uniquely skilled to do? How can I take ownership of something that’ll make this place—and the people in it—better?

For me, this is a call to action. I’m not just my job title. I can be more helpful at work, more impactful at church, and maybe even inspire others to do the same. It’s about showing up with resolve, pouring excellence into everything I do, and solving real problems—not just for the organization, but for the customers, the team, and even myself.

Risk, Reward, and the Power of Choice

Entrepreneurship, at its core, is about risk and reward. You put yourself out there, and the payoff can be huge—not just in money, but in impact. Intrapreneurship might carry less risk (no quitting your job to bootstrap a startup), but the reward is still there. You’re defining a need and filling it, creating value where there was none before. As Gary Vaynerchuk says, “The truth is that the ability to create something from nothing is inside all of us.” Whether you’re the captain of your own ship or a sailor on someone else’s, you get to choose your attitude, your effort, and the excellence you bring every single day.

My Goal This Week

This concept of intrapreneurship has me fired up, and I’m going to be chewing on it over the next few days. I’m asking myself: Where can I step up? What problems can I own? How can I make the world around me better, whether it’s at work, in my community, or even in this challenge? I’ll keep you posted if any big revelations hit me, but for now, I’m leaning into this idea of choosing excellence and creating value, no matter where I’m standing.

Thanks for joining me on this journey, friends. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read along and share in these moments of reflection. Here’s to Day 29—let’s go out and make the world a little better, one move at a time.

What do you think about this intrapreneurship idea? Are there problems you’re itching to solve in your own world? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

David Willis Blog

Day 26 of the 7–40 Challenge: Who Are You Becoming?

Good morning, friends! It’s Saturday, October 4, 2025, and I’m fired up for Day 26 of my 7–40 Challenge. I hope you’re waking up today feeling strong, inspired, and ready to chase after the person you’re meant to become. Let’s dive into a quick thought for this beautiful morning: Are your goals leading you where you truly want to be? Are they YOUR goals?

Take a moment to ask yourself: Who do I desire to become? Who am I, really? For me, the answer starts with this truth: I am a child of God. Jesus is my Savior, and my deepest desire is to live in a way that makes God smile. How do I do that? By knowing Him, loving Him, and spending time with Him. That’s why my daily Bible study is non-negotiable—it’s the foundation of my goals. I want to grow closer to God every single day and shine His love to everyone around me. As it says in John 15:4 (NLT), “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” Staying connected to God is how I bear fruit in my life.

Next, I want to be a fit and healthy man. That’s why I’m chugging my water, logging my calories (okay, I’ve missed a day or two, but I’m keeping my eyes on the prize), and exercising daily. These habits pull me closer to the strong, vibrant person I want to be and further from health struggles or frustration. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.

I also want to be a wise and capable man, someone who’s ready with the right words when they’re needed. So, I read every day—good, positive, uplifting stuff that builds me up and sharpens my mind. I steer clear of the negative noise that drags me down. Proverbs 4:7 (NLT) reminds me, “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” I’m committed to growing, refining how I think, and handling my business with integrity so I can take care of those who matter most.

And speaking of what matters, I want to be a thoughtful person. That’s why I journal daily, reflecting on my thoughts and experiences. Writing helps me process, share, and stay grounded in my “why.” There’s so much more I want to become, so many practices I want to add, but I’m making sure these goals are worth leaping out of bed for. They’re my goals—not someone else’s, not forced, but chosen because they light a fire in my soul to be more and do more than ever before.

And let’s bookend this with what matters most: family. I started with God, and I’ll end with my wife and son—the joys of my life. Everything I do—striving to be godly, healthy, wise, and thoughtful—is so I can love and provide for them well. They’re my reason, my motivation, and my greatest blessing. I thank God for them every single day.

So, what about you? What are your goals? What’s the “why” behind what you’re chasing? Drop it in the comments, send me a message, or tag me—let’s inspire each other to keep pushing forward. Here’s to Day 26 of the 7–40 Challenge—let’s make it count and become the people we’re called to be!