Tag: communication

Embracing Extreme Ownership: A Week in the 7-40 Challenge

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Good evening, friends, and welcome to Day 7 of Round 2 of the 7-40 Challenge! It’s Sunday, September 14, 2025, and I hope your weekend has been as vibrant and fulfilling as mine. I’ve soaked up precious moments with family, tackled some long-overdue goals—like reclaiming my office, as I shared in yesterday’s post—and now, as I stroll under the evening sky, I’m reflecting on the highs and lows of this journey. Tonight, let’s dive into a topic that’s been resonating deeply with me: personal responsibility and the power of owning every step of our path.

Recently, I finished Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, a book that lays out battle-tested strategies for leadership—not just on the battlefield but in business and life. One principle stood out, echoing a truth I also found in listening to my current book,Chase Jarvis’s Never Play It Safe,: the idea that true progress begins when we take full ownership of our actions, successes, and failures. As the great philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” This resonates as I take stock of my 7-40 Challenge goals, seven days into this round, and assess where I’m soaring and where I need to step up.

Let’s break it down with a pragmatic look at my progress:

1. Daily Bible Study and Prayer

This is the cornerstone of my day, the foundation that steadies everything else. I’m reading my Bible every morning and praying consistently, but I’d give myself a B-grade here. I know I can deepen this practice, lean into it more intentionally. It’s not about keeping score but about making this the heartbeat of my life. I’m committed to striving for more, to let this discipline shape my days even more profoundly.

2. Tracking Calories and Hydration

During the workweek, I’m solid—tracking my calories and hitting my water goals. But as the weekend rolls in, the siren call of tasty treats and a looser routine pulls me off track. I’ve missed meals here and there, and while I’m getting my water in, I’m not as consistent as I could be. This is where ownership comes in. As Theodore Roosevelt once declared, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” I’m doubling down on this goal, recommitting to disciplined tracking to propel my weight loss and fitness forward.

3. Daily Hour-Long Workout

Here’s a win I’m proud of: I’ve hit my one-hour workout goal every single day. Most of my exercise has been walking—racking up 12,000 to 15,000 steps daily, which is no small feat. But I know I need to diversify. My body isn’t getting younger, and I’m losing flexibility. It’s time to weave in more strength training and yoga to keep myself limber and strong. Ownership means not just celebrating the wins but pushing to evolve.

4. Practicing Gratitude Daily

Gratitude is a game-changer, and I’m doing well here, though there’s always room to grow. Each day, I’m intentional about reflecting on what I’m thankful for, and it shifts my perspective. But I want to lean in further, to make gratitude not just a habit but a lens for life.

5. Daily Writing

You’re reading the proof of this one! My blog is a daily testament to this commitment, a space where I share successes, ponder setbacks, and connect with you all. Writing has become a habit I cherish, a way to process and grow.

6. Building Creative and Entrepreneurial Ideas

Last week, I focused on setting up my infrastructure—tuning my office space and hardware to create an environment where creativity can thrive. As I move into Day 8 and beyond, it’s time to shift from setup to action. Arranging my office was a start, but real progress comes from diving into the work itself. Ownership means not just preparing the ground but planting the seeds.

7. Reading or Listening to Audiobooks for 30 Minutes Daily

I’m thrilled to report I’ve consistently hit my goal of reading or listening to audiobooks for 30 minutes each day. This habit is paying off faster than I expected—my creativity is reigniting, and my productivity feels like it’s getting a turbo boost. Whether it’s diving into a new book or absorbing insights through audio, this practice is fueling my mind and sparking fresh ideas.

Taking personal responsibility isn’t always easy. It’s tempting to blame circumstances, distractions, or even the weekend’s allure for our slip-ups. But as Willink and Babin emphasize, owning our decisions—especially our failures—unlocks true growth. If I don’t own my missteps, how can I fully embrace my successes? This mindset isn’t just about me; it’s about inspiring others to take charge of their own journeys. As Emerson also said, “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” I hope my reflections spark something in you to chase your goals with fierce accountability.

So, what about you? How do you embrace personal responsibility in your life? Are you owning your wins and learning from your stumbles? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your story and join in the conversation. Together, we’ll keep pushing forward. See you tomorrow for Day 8!

Unpacking My Library: A Journey Through Books and Growth

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hello, friends, and welcome to today’s reflection—a little piece of my Saturday soul, shared with you as part of the 7-40 Challenge. I hope your day has been as rich and fulfilling as mine. Here in our new home, the day was brimming with family time, good food, a cozy movie, and, yes, the ongoing adventure of taming the chaos that is my office.

You see, we moved a few months ago, and my office is still a bit of a glorious mess. Picture this: stacks of books, decorations, cords for long-forgotten electronics, vinyl records, and—did I mention?—more books. Over the years, I’ve amassed a collection that could rival a small library. But here’s the kicker: I’ve never had a solid strategy for organizing it all. For too long, boxes of books have been relegated to the garage or tucked away in the attic, out of sight but never out of mind. Moving to this new house forced me to confront them—either find a place for them in my office or, heartbreakingly, let some go.

Now, if you’ve followed my posts before, you know I have a thing for books. I’m utterly captivated by the knowledge they hold, the worlds they open, the possibilities they whisper. But here’s the honest truth: I’m not always great at sitting down with a paper book and getting lost in its pages. So why do I keep all these books? It’s a question I’ve wrestled with, and the answer lies in what they represent.

Books, to me, are markers of my journey. They’re like breadcrumbs leading back to who I was and signposts pointing to who I want to become. As the great philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.” Each book in my collection tells a story of a moment when I decided I didn’t want to stay stuck—mentally, spiritually, or emotionally. I wanted to grow, to be more, to do more.

Take, for instance, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, or Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. These books aren’t just pages bound together; they’re companions that have nudged me toward action, encouraged me to dream bigger, and reminded me to keep pushing forward. They’ve been my coaches on days when I needed a spark of motivation.

Then there’s the spiritual side of my library. Authors like John Eldredge, Craig Groeschel, and Erwin McManus have been my guides in deepening my faith in God and my walk with Jesus. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in 1937, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” These words remind me that following Jesus is a call to surrender and grow, to let go of my old self and step into the purpose God has for me. These books challenge me to reflect God’s love, to speak truth with compassion, and to live with intention. They push me to be a better example to the world and to align my steps with Jesus

But beyond the practical and the spiritual, there’s another reason I cherish my library. These books represent potential—who I could be, who I’m striving to become. If I can internalize the wisdom within these pages, I can be a more devoted follower of Jesus, a better husband, a better father, a stronger speaker, and a more impactful presence in every area of my life. These books aren’t just objects; they’re trusted voices, offering nuggets of truth that I can turn over in my hands and heart, testing and applying them to grow beyond where I am today.

I don’t take every word in every book at face value. I wrestle with the ideas, weigh them, and keep what resonates as true and good. And that’s the beauty of it—my library is a living, breathing testament to my pursuit of growth, a collection of possibilities that inspire me to keep going.

So, here I am, surrounded by my books, grateful for the journey they represent and the one they’re guiding me toward. I’m thankful for you, too, for reading this far and joining me in this reflection. I’d love to hear from you—what books are in your library? What lessons are you learning, and how are they shaping who you’re becoming? Drop a comment, keep the conversation going, and let’s inspire each other.

Here’s to day seven of the 7-40 Challenge—may we keep growing, learning, and chasing the best versions of ourselves.

The Power of Play: A Day at the State Fair and a Lesson in Living Freely

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey there, friends! Welcome to day five of round two of the 7-40 Challenge. Buckle up, because today was an absolute riot of fun. My family and I hit the state fair, and let me tell you, it was a glorious whirlwind of sights, sounds, and pure joy. From the gleaming cars in the automobile pavilion to the endless sea of hot tubs (who knew there was such a demand?), to the irresistible fair food and the electrifying chaos of the Midway—complete with a wild round of bumper cars—it was a day bursting with laughter and memories. I had a blast, and it tied perfectly into today’s reflection from Chase Jarvis’ book, Never Play It Safe. Specifically, his fifth level: Play.

This chapter hit me right in the heart. Jarvis nails something we often overlook: as we grow up, we forget how to play. We get buried under deadlines, responsibilities, and the pressure to perform, and we lose that carefree spark of creativity that comes so naturally to kids. The world might call play silly or a waste of time, but Jarvis argues it’s woven into our very being. It’s not just fun—it’s essential. As the philosopher Plato said in the 4th century BC, “We are twice armed if we fight with faith and play.” Play isn’t a distraction; it’s a cornerstone of a vibrant, balanced life.

Jarvis shares a story that really stuck with me. He describes a guy (whose name escapes me) who was crushing it at an internship, pouring his heart and soul into proving himself. He nailed every detail, worked himself to exhaustion, and eventually landed a full-time job at the company. Sounds like a success story, right? Not so fast. The relentless grind turned him into a workaholic. His personal life faded away, his sleep was a disaster, his eating habits were worse, and he was on the brink of a nervous breakdown. Diagnosed with anxiety, he quit his job, started medication, and hit a low point. That’s when a friend recommended a book about the power of play.

Desperate for a change, this guy took on a 30-day challenge to bring play back into his life. He went for walks, played sports, grabbed a baseball bat and a bag of balls, and spent time at the park with a friend, just hitting balls and letting loose. Day after day, he made time for play. And after 30 days? The results were staggering. His anxiety had vanished. He was off the medication. He was, in his own words, “just OK.” Jarvis drives home the point: play is as restorative as sleep. It frees our minds, reignites our creativity, and recharges us in ways that endless hustling never can. As the poet Robert Louis Stevenson wrote in 1885, “In play, we find the freedom to be our true selves, unburdened by the weight of the world.” When we play, we give our brains room to breathe, to dream, to create.

So, how does this connect to my day at the state fair? It’s like the fair was a living example of Jarvis’ point. My family and I dove headfirst into the experience—stuffing our faces with gloriously weird fair food (deep-fried cheesecake, anyone?), cackling like kids in the bumper cars, and maybe buying a few things we definitely didn’t need. We walked over five miles (my feet are still complaining), but every step was worth it. It was a day of pure, unscripted joy. We played. We laughed. We soaked in each other’s company. And you know what? My soul feels light. I’m tired, sure, but I’m recharged. My brain’s ready to tackle whatever’s next, all because I gave it a chance to just be.

So, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, I’m challenging you to carve out a little time for play. Take a deep breath, go for a walk, toss a Frisbee, or blast your favorite song and dance like nobody’s watching. It’s not frivolous—it’s vital. Play might just be the secret to keeping your soul light and your mind free. Here’s to day six, friends—let’s keep the good vibes rolling!

What’s your favorite way to play and recharge? Drop a comment and let me know!

Day 3 of the 7-40 Challenge: Round 2 – Pressing On Through Turmoil

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to day three of round two of the 7-40 Challenge. Today has been exhausting—a true test of endurance. Yet, despite the fatigue, I’m staying focused on my goals, holding myself accountable to the path I’ve set.

My heart is heavy today, burdened by the turmoil unfolding in the national news. I won’t dive into specifics here, but if you’ve seen the headlines, you can likely sense the source of my sadness. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and their tragic loss.

A thought on goals

Working toward these goals isn’t always a joyride—I’ll be honest about that. Some tasks are deeply rewarding, while others feel like a slog. Still, they’re worth the effort. One goal I carried from round one into this round is reading for at least 30 minutes daily. So far, I’ve finished three books: two I’d read before and one that was new to me. I’m now on my fourth, Never Play It Safe by Chase Jarvis. I’m familiar with Jarvis’s work, but I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book when I started listening to it (audiobooks help me fit reading into my busy days).

I’m drawn to motivational content—books that inspire me to grow, act, and push beyond my current limits, whether for this challenge or life in general. In Never Play It Safe, Jarvis outlines seven tenets for living with purpose: taking risks, avoiding the trap of playing it safe, and achieving what you’ve set out to do. So far, though I am only through three of the chapters, it’s been a compelling read, though I’ve found myself wrestling with some of his ideas.

This brings me to tonight’s reflection: we don’t have to agree with everything an author says to find value in their work. It’s possible to glean powerful insights—nuggets of truth that resonate—while setting aside what doesn’t align with our perspective or values. I’m experiencing this with Jarvis’s book right now.

In his first chapter, “Attention,” I’m fully on board. Jarvis emphasizes the importance of giving laser-focused attention to the tasks at hand. Setting aside distractions to pursue your goals with intensity is critical, and I’m applying this principle daily.

The second chapter, “Time,” was thought-provoking but trickier for me to grasp. Jarvis suggests that time isn’t just a fleeting resource; it can be manipulated or even expanded. As someone who views time as finite, I initially struggled with this concept. But I believe he’s driving at how focused attention (from the first chapter) alters our perception of time, making it feel like it stretches or contracts based on our immersion. My takeaway? Deep focus helps us maximize the time we have, turning hours into productive breakthroughs.

It’s the third chapter, “Intuition,” where I’m hitting some cognitive dissonance. Jarvis argues that sometimes, despite advice from others pushing us toward a certain path, we know deep down it’s not right. He suggests intuition can guide us in these moments. I’d counter that unless you have significant experience in a given area, what feels like intuition might just be confusion or bias. In such cases, seeking wise counsel is essential. As Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (ESV).

As a Christian, my perspective on guidance is rooted in my faith. I believe God is actively involved in my life because I’ve accepted Jesus as my Savior. Through the Holy Spirit, sent as a guide, and through my relationship with God—built on Bible study and prayer—I receive guidance toward the right path when I’m still, seeking, and grounded in Scripture. Proverbs 11:14 reinforces this: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (ESV). For me, intuition isn’t some mystical inner voice; it’s either divine guidance or wisdom gained from experience.

Relying solely on gut feelings without self-awareness or authenticity can be misleading. As Francis Bacon wrote in his Essays (1625), “Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted… but to weigh and consider.” This applies to intuition, too: we must test our instincts against experience, counsel, and truth.

I know not everyone shares my spiritual or philosophical views, and that’s okay. I can only speak from my own experience and testimony: God has made Himself real to me, and I trust He’ll lead me when I seek Him. So, for me, what Jarvis calls intuition is better described as divine guidance or hard-earned experience.

What do you think? When you read a book, do you accept it all at face value, or do you sift through the ideas, keeping what resonates and setting aside the rest? How do you approach intuition or guidance in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your perspective.

Onward to day four!

What Happens When You Force Your Brain to Sit Still for 5 Minutes? Spoiler: Chaos Ensues

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey there, fellow overthinkers and perpetual doers. If you’re anything like me, the idea of “doing nothing” for even a few minutes sounds like a cruel joke. But that’s exactly what I stumbled into while diving into Suleika Jaouad’s The Book of Alchemy. This gem of a book packs 100 daily essays and prompts designed to spark creativity, and today’s entry—titled “Be Slow” and penned by Rachel Schwartzmann—hit me right in my productivity-obsessed soul.

The prompt? Simple: Take 5 minutes to do absolutely nothing. Then, jot down what you experienced, thought, or realized. Sounds zen, right? Call me a skeptic, but I didn’t buy it. How much could really happen in 300 seconds of stillness? My brain’s a hamster wheel on steroids—always spinning with to-dos, random lyrics, and half-forgotten memories. So, this morning, I decided to test it. I plopped down at my desk, set a timer, and committed to writing down every single thought that popped up. No filtering, no judging. Just pure, unadulterated stream of consciousness.

To say it was “active” would be the understatement of the year. Welcome to the wild ride inside my head…

The Raw Dump: My 5-Minute Brain Explosion

Here’s the list, exactly as I scribbled it down in real-time:

•  Costco

•  Chiropractor

•  Anxiety

•  Fan

•  Laughing

•  Office

•  Track Food

•  Three Doors Down – You Love Me But You Don’t Know Who I Am

•  What a croc!

•  Rocky V

•  Three Men and a Little Lady

I know, I know. If you’re reading this and thinking (in the immortal words of Buzz Lightyear), “Wow. You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity,” you’re not alone. At first glance, it looks like the ramblings of someone who hit their head on the way to the coffee maker. But stick with me—this chaotic jumble turned out to be surprisingly revealing.

Decoding the Madness: What It All Meant

Sitting still was harder than I expected. My brain rebelled like a toddler in a candy store, constantly yanking me toward tasks or distractions. I had to keep reeling myself back in, refocusing on the quiet. Here’s the breakdown of what each thought actually represented, in the context of my mental whirlwind:

•  Costco and Chiropractor: Boom—errands mode activated. These are both on my afternoon agenda. I need to confirm my chiropractor appointment (calling when they open later), and Costco? Well, who doesn’t need bulk toilet paper? These popped up first, totally unrelated to the exercise, but classic examples of my brain’s “get stuff done” autopilot.

•  Anxiety: Less than a minute in, and there it was—a subtle nudge of unease. I’m wired for action; stillness feels like slacking off. I get anxious when I’m not “productive,” even though I know deep down I could use more of this downtime. It’s a reminder that my natural bend toward hustle isn’t always a virtue.

•  Fan: Finally, a moment of presence. I tuned into the sounds around me—the gentle hum of my Amacool desk fan, the cool breeze keeping me comfy. It sparked a wave of gratitude for my wife, who gifted it to me. She’s a wizard at taking care of the little things that make life smoother. In that quiet, I appreciated how these everyday comforts ground me.

•  Laughing and Office: These tied into the sensory stuff. The “laughing” was me chuckling at how ridiculous this all felt, and “office” was just acknowledging my surroundings—the desk, the hum, the familiarity. A brief nod to the here and now before my mind wandered again.

•  Track Food: Panic strikes again! I remembered I hadn’t logged my morning calories in MyFitnessPal yet. Another to-do item crashing the party, like those little emotions in Disney’s Inside Out fighting for control. Joy? Anger? More like Taskmaster Fear taking the wheel.

•  Three Doors Down – You Love Me But You Don’t Know Who I Am: Right on cue for the Inside Out vibe, this earworm hit. (It’s actually “Let Me Go,” but close enough—my brain’s not great with titles under pressure.) Why this song? No clue. It’s catchy, I love the band, and apparently, my mental DJ thought it was the perfect soundtrack for attempted zen. I could picture the little red Anger character from the movie fuming as the tune looped endlessly.

•  What a croc!: A random outburst of disbelief—or just a random line that came to mind which led me to the face of a little girl in a movie which led me to Tom Selleck which led me to the next thing in the list which is where I first heard the phrase What a croc.

•  Rocky V and Three Men and a Little Lady: And just like that, time travel. Suddenly, I’m back in late November 1990, 12 years old, begging my mom to drop me at the movies. I watched Rocky V (which, oddly, I didn’t even like the previous Rockies that much), then snuck out, bought another ticket, and caught Three Men and a Little Lady. I’d seen the first one, but really? At 12, alone? The real mystery: Why did my parents greenlight this solo adventure? Pre-teen me was living on the edge, apparently.

All of that—in just 5 minutes. From errands to existential gratitude, from Disney analogies to ‘90s movie marathons. It’s a snapshot of my daily mental gymnastics: turning mundane tasks into epic detours through time and emotion.

The Takeaway: Why You Should Try This (Even If It Sounds Nuts)

This little experiment was eye-opening. I had no idea so much was bubbling under the surface in such a short time. It highlighted how my brain defaults to productivity, distraction, and nostalgia—anything to avoid true stillness. But forcing the pause? It brought clarity, gratitude, and even a laugh at the absurdity of it all.

If you’re a skeptic like me, give it a shot. Grab a timer, sit down, and let your thoughts flow unchecked. You might uncover errands you forgot, songs you love, or childhood memories you didn’t know were lurking. In a world that glorifies hustle, “Be Slow” is a radical act of self-care. Who knows? Your 5 minutes could be the most productive non-productive time you’ve had all week.

What about you? Have you tried something like this? Drop your stream-of-consciousness stories in the comments—I’d love to hear how your brain rebels (or relaxes). And if you’re intrigued by the book, The Book of Alchemy is a good one. Slow down, tune in, and see what magic unfolds.