Tag: Fitness

Day 32 of the 7-40 Challenge: Embracing the Journey of Transformation

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey there, friends! Welcome to day 32 of round two of my 7-40 Challenge. Can you believe it’s been almost 75 days since I kicked this thing off? I’m starting to see some real shifts in how I move through my days, and I’m excited to share the wins, the surprises, and a few areas where I know I can level up. So, grab a coffee (or tea, no judgment here), and let’s dive into this journey together.

Before I started this challenge, I was in a rut. Picture this: I hadn’t stepped foot in a gym in a few months, my energy was low, and I knew I needed to get back to taking care of myself—stat. Enter the 7-40 Challenge, my personal accountability bootcamp. It’s all about committing to seven life-changing habits over 40-day periods, and let me tell you, it’s been a powerful shift.

The Wins: Progress I’m Proud Of

First up, let’s talk about the victories. One of the biggest? I’ve been exercising for at least an hour almost every single day of this challenge. That consistency has paid off in a big way—I’ve shed about 18 pounds over the last couple of months! Not only do I feel lighter, but I feel better. My body’s thanking me, and I’m starting to see that spark of energy I’d been missing. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” I took that to heart, starting where I was, and it’s led to real progress.

Another win I’m thrilled about is my reading habit. I’ve been diving into books or audiobooks for at least 30 minutes on all but one day of this challenge. Some days, I’ve even lost myself in a good book for over two hours! This flood of positive ideas and stories has been like a mental reset. I’m thinking more clearly, staying more positive, and finally checking off a long-time goal of reading more. It’s amazing how small, consistent actions can lead to such big shifts. As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” Deciding to prioritize this habit has been a decision I’m proud of.

The Surprises: Unexpected Gifts of the Challenge

One of the coolest surprises? I’m turning into a morning person. I know, I know—I’ve been the guy who groaned at the thought of a 5 a.m. wakeup. But here I am, lacing up my sneakers most mornings to take a walk around the neighborhood. There’s something about the quiet of those early hours, the fresh air, and the rhythm of my steps that’s become almost addictive. On good days, I’ve already hit 10,000 steps by noon! That’s a far cry from the old me, who’d barely move before lunch. I didn’t expect to crave being outside and active, but this challenge has rewired something in me, and I’m here for it.

Room to Grow: Keeping It Real

Now, let’s keep it honest—there’s still work to do. I’m a foodie at heart, and while I’ve made strides, my diet could use a little more discipline. I’m trying to find that sweet spot where I’m eating healthier but still enjoying the journey. It’s a balancing act, and I’m tweaking it as I go. The key is staying committed without being too hard on myself. Progress, not perfection, right?

Why This Matters

Committing to these seven habits over 40-day stretches has been transformative, and I’m only just getting started. I’ve got my eyes set on keeping this 7-40 Challenge going for many rounds to come, building on the foundation I’m laying now. It’s not just about the physical changes—it’s about the mental clarity, the discipline, and the joy of becoming a better version of myself.

So, I’m curious—what about you? What goals are you chasing right now? What habits are you building to create the future you want? Drop a comment below; I’d love to hear what’s driving you. Thanks for joining me on this journey, and I’ll catch you tomorrow!

Finding Magic in the Ordinary: Day 31 of the 7-40 Challenge

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hello, friends! Welcome to Day 31 of the 7-40 Challenge, Round 2. What a day it’s been—bustling with energy at work, yet beautifully calm at home. It’s that sweet balance we all crave, and I’m sitting here tonight, heart full, grateful for every moment of it.

This morning kicked off with my usual routine: a quiet, grounding Bible study. Lately, I’ve been diving into a study that’s all about recognizing God’s presence in the everyday, the ordinary. It’s a powerful reminder that the Creator of the universe isn’t just there for the big, flashy moments. He’s with us in the mundane—through the morning commute, the endless emails, the grocery runs, and the dishes piling up in the sink. As the great theologian A.W. Tozer once said, “We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts.” That hits deep, doesn’t it? God is right there, woven into the fabric of our daily lives.

When you start to see this—really see it—something shifts. Suddenly, the words of Psalm 118:24 come alive: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Every day, no matter how ordinary, becomes a gift. A chance to notice the sacred in the simple.

Tonight, I’m soaking in that simplicity. I got to sit down for dinner with my bride, my favorite person in the world. We talked, we laughed, we just were. Afterward, we settled into the cozy quiet of our home—me playing a game, her curled up with a book. It was nothing extravagant, yet it was amazing. Those moments of just being together, with no rush or agenda, filled my soul in a way I didn’t know I needed. As C.S. Lewis once wrote, “The ordinary, when seen rightly, is a reflection of the eternal.” That’s what tonight felt like—a glimpse of eternity in the stillness.

So, I’m curious: How about you? Do you find joy in the ordinary? Do you pause to notice the beauty in the routine—the morning coffee, the familiar rhythm of your workday, the sound of your loved ones’ laughter? That’s where the magic hides, friends. It’s in the small stuff, the moments we often overlook. The ordinary isn’t just a backdrop; it’s where life happens, where God meets us, where love and meaning bloom.

Let’s make a pact to keep our eyes open for these moments. To slow down, to savor, to rejoice. Because when we do, we realize the ordinary isn’t so ordinary after all—it’s extraordinary, sacred, and brimming with purpose.

Here’s to Day 31, to the little things, and to finding God in every moment. Drop a comment below and tell me: What’s one ordinary moment that felt like magic to you today?

The Power of Talking It Out: Unlocking Better Communication Through Self-Discovery

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” — Rudyard Kipling

For the longest time, I thought everyone’s brain worked like mine. I assumed we all processed ideas in the same tidy, linear way. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. It took a few verbal stumbles—moments where my words tripped over themselves—to realize I’m wired a bit differently. When I’m grappling with a complex idea or trying to solve a problem, I need to talk it out. Saying things aloud is like untangling a knotted ball of yarn in my mind—it helps me make sense of the chaos and find clarity.

This process can be a wild ride. Sometimes, I’ll be mid-sentence and hear myself say something that makes me pause and think, “Whoa, that’s not what I meant at all—where did that come from?” Other times, I’ll blurt out a thought and stop, amazed, thinking, “Wait, did I just say that? That was actually kind of brilliant!” Talking out loud is like holding up a mirror to my thoughts, revealing what’s really going on in my head—for better or worse.

I owe this epiphany to my incredible wife. Over the years, we’ve had countless conversations where I’d dive headfirst into explaining something, only to see her brow furrow in confusion. Halfway through my ramble, I’d realize I was lost in my own words, circling around a point I hadn’t quite grasped myself. Recently, I’ve learned to hit the pause button and say, “Hang on, let me talk this out for a minute.” That simple phrase is like a magic wand. It signals to her that I’m working through my thoughts, and it gives me the space to stumble toward clarity. She listens with saint-like patience, and by the end, I’ve often landed on something sharper, clearer, and more meaningful than where I started.

This discovery got me thinking: how often do we misunderstand each other because we don’t realize how differently we process and communicate? How many times have we been this close to a breakthrough in a conversation, only to miss it because we didn’t take that extra step to clarify? I bet it happens more than we think. As the philosopher Epictetus once said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” But what if we also need to speak to understand ourselves better?

Communication isn’t something that just happens—it’s a skill we have to hone. It starts with understanding ourselves: how we think, how we express ideas, and what we need to be clear. For me, that means talking out loud and asking for patience while I sort through my thoughts. For you, it might mean writing things down, mulling over ideas in silence, or asking questions to better understand someone else’s perspective.

The beauty of this realization is that it’s not just about me—or you. It’s about creating space for others in our conversations. The next time you’re in a discussion that feels stuck, take a moment to reflect. Are you saying what you really mean? Are you giving the other person room to express themselves fully? One small step—like saying, “Let me think this through out loud” or “Can you help me clarify this?”—can transform a conversation from frustrating to fruitful.

Here’s my challenge to you: Pay attention to how you process and communicate. What’s one thing you can do to make your conversations clearer and more connected? Maybe it’s pausing to gather your thoughts, asking for feedback, or simply listening a little longer. Try it, and you might be surprised at how much easier communication becomes.

Talking it out has taught me that clarity isn’t just about finding the right words—it’s about understanding yourself and inviting others into that process. So, go ahead and have that conversation. Speak, listen, reflect, and repeat. You never know what breakthroughs are waiting on the other side.

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

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

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!

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

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

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!