Tag: Fitness

Dreams vs. Plans: Knowing What You Truly Want

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

There’s a fine line between dreaming and planning, between wishing for something and actually achieving it. Dreams can spark inspiration, but without action, they often remain just that—dreams. Too often, we get stuck in the wishing phase, never crossing the bridge to making things happen. This distinction has been on my mind lately, and it’s reshaping how I think about my goals and desires.

I came across a quote from James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, that made me pause: “You don’t need to keep wanting something you’re not willing to work for.” It’s a simple but powerful truth. If you’re not ready to put in the effort, is it really a goal—or just a fleeting wish? This got me reflecting on my own life and the things I’ve said I wanted, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t ready to chase.

Take six-pack abs, for example. It’s a nice thought—picturing myself with a chiseled, swimsuit-model physique. But if I’m honest, am I willing to commit to the grueling workouts and strict diet it takes to get there? Anyone who knows me would laugh and say, “Nope.” So, what do I do with a dream like that? Do I keep it on a pedestal, pretending it’s a goal, or do I get real with myself about what I actually want?

This idea of aligning desires with effort reminds me of a story from Patrick Bet-David’s book, Your Next Five Moves. In it, he talks about a conversation with a former coworker early in his career in the insurance industry. Bet-David had big dreams—world domination, in his words. He wanted to build an empire with thousands of employees, a company so influential that “everyone would know and respect the name Bet-David.” It was a promise to his parents, who had emigrated from Iran and endured immense hardship, that their sacrifices wouldn’t be in vain.

His coworker, however, had a different vision. Sitting on the same opportunity, he didn’t dream of empires. He wanted a comfortable life, earning $500,000 a year, with time to be present for his kids. Bet-David’s takeaway? That’s perfectly okay. Not everyone needs to chase the same dreams. The key is knowing who you are and what you want. That clarity lets you set goals that are authentic to you, not just what society—or even you—think your dreams should be.

This resonates deeply with me. I don’t need a six-pack to feel good about myself; a trim waistline and a healthy lifestyle are enough. I don’t need to be a multimillionaire entrepreneur;I want to provide for my family, live with purpose, and make God smile. As Bet-David emphasizes, it’s about defining your own version of success. Another great perspective comes from philosopher Seneca, who said, “If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.” Without a clear destination, no amount of effort will get you where you want to go.

I also found inspiration in a video clip of Michael Bublé. Some critics say he hasn’t achieved enough in his career—fewer albums, fewer tours than expected. But Bublé shared a different measure of success. Smiling, he said his children won’t remember the bedtime stories he tells them or the moments he carries them to bed. They’ll simply know they grew up in a happy home. For him, that’s the ultimate achievement. His words hit home because my family is my greatest joy, too. Success, for me, is less about external accolades and more about the love and stability I create for those closest to me.

As I’ve been reflecting, I’m learning that desires can evolve. What I wanted ten years ago isn’t the same as what I want now, and that’s okay. The journey is about refining the answer to the question, “Who am I, and what do I truly want?” Each day, I’m getting closer to understanding the person in the mirror. And with that clarity comes hope—a belief that with a clear purpose, amazing things are possible.

To anyone reading this, thank you for taking the time to share in this reflection. I’m grateful for you. My hope for you is that you find clarity in your own desires, that you pursue goals that light you up, and that you achieve what you’ve set out to do. As the poet Rumi once said, “What you seek is seeking you.” So, get clear on what you’re seeking—and then go after it with everything you’ve got.

The Truth About Motivation: Stop Waiting, Start Doing

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Every time I scroll through my social media feeds, I’m bombarded with posts about motivation. “Find the motivation to chase your dreams!” “Stay motivated to crush your goals!” The word gets thrown around so much that it’s easy to lose sight of what it actually means. So, let’s cut through the noise and get real.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, motivation is “the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.” Sounds straightforward, right? But here’s the thing—I’ve been staring at that definition for a while now, and I’m calling it out: Motivation is a liar.

Let me explain. If I’m being brutally honest, my “general desire” is to do as little as possible. I’m human. I gravitate toward the path of least resistance. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s the truth. And my “willingness” to do things? That’s shaky at best. I’ve got big dreams and grand intentions, but let’s face it—it’s easier to not achieve. It’s easier to scroll, binge-watch, or procrastinate than to grind toward something meaningful.

But here’s where I draw the line: I refuse to let that define me. I know myself well enough to understand that my fleeting desires or shaky willingness can’t be trusted to get the job done. My choices, my responsibilities, my word—those are what matter. I can’t sit around waiting for a magical burst of motivation to strike. Sure, those moments of inspiration feel like a shot of adrenaline, but they fizzle out fast. If I’m going to move forward, I need something more reliable than a feeling. I need a plan—and the self-discipline to stick to it.

As the great American poet Maya Angelou once said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” The same goes for action. The more you push through, the more you build the muscle of discipline. Waiting for motivation is like waiting for permission—it’s not coming unless you decide to act anyway.

I want to be a man of my word. When I say I’m going to do something, I want you to know it’s as good as done. You can take it to the bank. I’ve worked hard to make this true in my relationships with others, and I’m getting better at keeping that promise to myself. It’s not always easy. There are days when the couch calls louder than my goals, but I’m learning to show up anyway.

I was listening to an interview with Kobe Bryant a while back, and he dropped a gem that hit me hard. He talked about signing a contract with himself. He made a deal—willingly—and held himself accountable to follow through. That’s why he was the hardest-working person in any room. He didn’t wait for motivation to show up; he showed up for himself. As Kobe put it, “You have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light.” That’s the kind of commitment I’m striving for.

So, this is my reminder to myself—and maybe to you, too: Motivation is a liar. It’s a fleeting feeling that can’t be trusted to carry you through. There are goals to chase, tasks to tackle, and promises to keep. The deal has been made. It’s time to get to work.

What’s one thing you’re committing to today, no matter how you feel? Let’s hold ourselves accountable and make it happen.

Day 24 of the 7-40 Challenge: Aligning Your Vision with Unwavering Effort

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey there, friend. Welcome to Day 24 of my 7-40 Challenge. We’re knee-deep in this journey now, and honestly, it feels both exhilarating and exhausting. For those just tuning in, this challenge is all about building seven daily habits over extended periods—40-day increments that give me enough time to really grind through the reps and see what sticks.

I’m 64 days in at this point, and for the most part, I’ve held strong. Sure, life has thrown its curveballs these past two months—fast and furious doesn’t even cover it. But amid the chaos, I’m genuinely thankful for the progress I’ve made. There are days when I stare in the mirror and question if anything’s changed at all. Sound familiar? I know I’m not alone in that nagging doubt, and that’s exactly why I keep pushing forward.

Yesterday, I dove into a new audiobook: Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David. Man, this guy’s framework for success as a businessperson, entrepreneur, or really anyone chasing big goals is spot on. He’s all about strategic thinking, and his first “move” hits right at the core: understanding who you are and what you truly want.

One quote from the book really resonated with me, so I wanted to share it:

“If someone is winning at a higher level than you are, you either need to lower your expectations to match your current work ethic, or increase your work ethic to exceed your own expectations. If you do neither, you will be miserable. So one way or the other, you have to have expectations that match your work ethic to achieve the vision that you have set out for yourself.”

Boom. That one really made me think. It’s from his chapter on clarifying your desires, and it ties into another gem: “Your vision must align with who you want to be. Your choices must align with your vision, your effort must align with the size of your vision, and your behavior must align with your values and principles.”

Reading this chapter (or listening, in my case) was a message I didn’t know I needed. For years, I’ve toyed with the idea of going full entrepreneur mode—starting something from scratch, being my own boss. But if I’m brutally honest, that’s not the path for me right now. I love the thrill of entrepreneurial adventures, but I want them alongside my current career, not instead of it. At least for the foreseeable future.

Beyond that, I’ve always craved more success, more impact, more me. Yet, I’ve skimped on defining what that actually looks like. Who do I want to be? What do I want to achieve? There were times early in my career when I’d get frustrated watching others climb faster. I’d feel competitive, like I’d earned my spot, but things didn’t always move at my pace. Looking back, though, it all lines up with Bet-David’s wisdom: My achievements matched my effort. When I locked in on clear goals and poured in the work, promotions, raises, and recognition followed. When I coasted? Frustration city.

This reminds me of an insight from Thomas Edison, the inventor who embodied relentless hustle: “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” It’s a stark reminder that vision without sweat is just daydreaming. Edison didn’t just wish for breakthroughs; he aligned his effort with his ambitions, failing thousands of times before lighting up the world.

Now, in my 40s, I’m at this proverbial crossroads. I’m no longer that wide-eyed 20-something fumbling through. I’ve built a solid career, and I have a decent grasp on my strengths and identity. But it’s time to sharpen that vision—to define the scope of who I want to become in the years ahead. And for me, that’s deeply guided by my faith in God and trusting Jesus Christ to lead the way. As the Bible puts it in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” That verse has been a anchor for me, reminding me that true alignment comes from surrendering my path to something greater.

It’s wild to think that even now, I’m still essentially asking, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” But here’s the exciting part: I have more tools, experience, and excitement than ever before. I know I can chase those dreams—I just need to get crystal clear, craft a plan, and execute. For too long, fear held me back from that next step. No more. It’s time to move forward with confidence.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” For me, That’s the mindset I’m adopting. Whether it’s habits in this challenge or bigger life moves, it’s about deciding, aligning, and acting.

If you’re reading this and feeling that pull toward clarity or change, join me. What’s one step you can take today to align your vision with your effort? Let’s keep grinding—together.

Until next time, stay strong.

Slow Down to See: Day 21 of the 7-40 Challenge

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey there, friends! Welcome to Day 21 of the second round of my 7-40 Challenge. What a day! I crushed a bunch of those “honeydoos” (you know, the to-do list that is a must!), and I’m feeling pretty darn good about it. But beyond checking boxes, I had some deep thoughts today, sparked by a line from Austin Kleon’s Keep Going. So, grab a drink, get comfy, and let’s unpack something that hit me like a ton of bricks.

I’m an audiobook junkie—always “reading” with my ears while I mow the lawn or tackle chores. Sometimes, though, a line stops me dead in my tracks, and I’ve gotta pause, rewind, and let it soak in. That happened today. While listening to Keep Going, Austin dropped this gem: “It’s impossible to pay proper attention to your life if you’re hurtling along at lightning speed. When your job is to see things other people don’t, you have to slow down so that you can actually look.”

I was out back, riding my mower, when those words made me slam on the brakes. I killed the engine, rewound, and played it again. It felt like the something was nudging me, saying, “Hey, you’re onto something here.” See, at my job (which I’ll keep vague for these posts), I deal with data. My role is to make sure the numbers we’re working with are rock-solid, so when we talk about them, we’re crystal clear and confident. Sounds straightforward, but it’s not. It takes time, persistence, collaboration, and a willingness to step back and think critically. My job is literally to spot what others miss—but I can’t do that if I’m racing through my day like it’s a speed trial.

This idea of slowing down isn’t just about work, though. It’s about life. We’re obsessed with speed these days. How fast can I finish this? How quick can I jump to the next thing? If I’m not moving at breakneck pace, am I falling behind? But here’s the thing—Henry David Thoreau once said, “It’s not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” That hits hard. Are we just busy for the sake of speed, or are we busy with purpose? Kleon’s words and Thoreau’s question got me thinking: if I’m hurtling along, I’m not really seeing anything—my work, my relationships, my creativity, my faith.

Picture this: years ago, my wife and I went rafting at the Royal Gorge. That river was life in a nutshell—sometimes calm and peaceful, sometimes a wild ride through rapids. (True story: I got tossed into a rapid called the Wall Slammer, surrounded by rebar-infested waters. Ask me about it over dinner sometime!) In my head, I imagine myself floating down this river on my stomach, head down, barely keeping up. Every now and then, I lift my head just long enough to glimpse my surroundings before plunging back into the current. Months, even years, can pass before I look up again. And when I do, it hits me: time’s flying. Life’s moving so fast, it’s a blur.

Have you ever felt like that? Like you’re just trying to keep your head above water? I know I have. And I bet you have too. So, what do we do? We slow down. We get intentional. We tune in—to the world, to the people we love, to our work, our creativity, and, for me, my relationship with God. Lao Tzu put it perfectly: “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” If nature can take its time and still get it done, why can’t we? Slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind—it means steering our own course.

Today, as I mowed and mulled over Kleon’s words, I realized I’m already doing some of this right. At work, when I take the time to dig into the data, to really see what’s there, I’m lifting my head out of the river. I’m checking my direction, making sure I’m headed where I want to go. I’m trying to do the same at home, with my family, my creative projects, my faith. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Because if we don’t slow down, we’re just floating along, letting the current drag us wherever it wants. We miss the moments that matter—the beauty, the connections, the purpose.

So, what about you? Are you floating with your head down, letting life pull you along? Or are you lifting your head, taking a good look around, and asking, “Is this where I want to be?”

Thanks for reading, friends. I pray you’re happy, healthy, and well. Let’s keep lifting our heads, slowing down, and steering toward where we truly want to go. See you tomorrow for Day 22 of the 7-40 Challenge!

Transforming My Health: Tangible Results of Habits and Hope

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Here we are deep in round 2 of the 7-40 Challenge. Just 60 days ago I embarked on a challenge to build seven daily habits over 40 days, aiming to create momentum and check items off my ever-growing to-do list. If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’ve been focusing on the process—the small, intentional steps that lead to big changes. I haven’t talked much about my weight because, honestly, it’s not the full story. My goal isn’t just a number on the scale; it’s about feeling good, improving my cardiovascular health, and being there for my family in the long haul. As fitness icon Jack LaLanne once said, “Your health account is like your bank account: the more you put in, the more you can take out.” That’s the mindset I’m embracing—one deposit at a time.

Lead Measures vs. Lag Measures: The Game Plan

A while back, I read The Four Disciplines of Execution, and one concept stuck with me: the difference between lead measures and lag measures. Lead measures are the daily actions you control—like exercising for an hour or tracking your calories—that pave the way for long-term results. Lag measures, like weight loss or a lower BMI, are the outcomes that follow. Focusing only on the scale can be frustrating because it’s a lagging indicator. Instead, I’ve been pouring my energy into consistent habits, trusting they’ll lead to the bigger wins.

When I started this challenge, I weighed 299.5 pounds—heavier than I’ve ever been. My goals were broader than weight loss: I wanted a healthier body composition, better cardiovascular health, and overall well-being. Sure, a healthy BMI and a trimmer physique would be nice, but feeling vibrant and capable is my true goal. As author Jim Rohn put it, “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” That’s the why behind my daily grind.

The Numbers Tell a Story

This morning, I stepped on the scale and saw 283 pounds—a 16-pound drop in about six weeks. That’s impressive, but I’ll be honest: part of me wanted the number to move faster. In the past, I’d get hung up on that frustration, unsure if my efforts were paying off. But this time, I have better tools to see the full picture.

My wife gifted me a Hume pod, a device that measures body composition, fat content, pulse, and more, paired with a Hume band that tracks O2 levels and sleep cycles. These tools have been game-changers, giving me data to understand what’s happening beneath the surface. When I started, my body fat was 31.6%, with 94.6 pounds of fat mass. Today? I’m at 24.6% body fat, with 69.8 pounds of fat mass. That’s a loss of 25 pounds of fat in just over a month and a half. Even more exciting, my lean mass has increased by nearly 10 pounds. The scale might say “16 pounds down,” but my body is transforming in ways I didn’t expect so quickly.

A Wake-Up Call and a Win

One metric hit me hard: the Hume pod calculates your metabolic age. My first reading pegged me at 54 years old—disturbing, considering I’m only 47. But today, my metabolic age is down to 39. In just 60 days, I’ve shaved 15 years off my metabolic age! That’s not just a number; it’s proof that the habits I’m building are working.

This journey has shown me that transformation isn’t about being perfect or hitting some arbitrary goal weight. It’s about showing up every day, making choices that align with the life you want, and trusting the process. Sixty days—nine weeks—have brought me further than I thought possible. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m so much closer than I was.

A Message of Hope

If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re too far gone, let me tell you: as long as you’re breathing, you have a chance to change your story. Every small choice—every workout, every healthy meal, every restful night—adds up. This journey has been a wake-up call and an encouragement to me, and I hope it inspires you too. Tomorrow marks round 2 day 20 of my challenge, and I’m excited to keep going, one habit at a time.

Thank you for joining me on this ride. Your support means the world, and I can’t wait to share more tomorrow.