David Willis Blog

Do Your Best, Even When It Feels Like the Worst

We’ve all had that job. The one that makes Monday mornings feel like a personal attack. The one where the clock seems to mock you, ticking slower with every glance, and you’re counting down the minutes until Friday at 5 p.m. I’ve been there—stuck in a couple of soul-draining gigs years ago that left me feeling like the life was being sucked out of me. If you’re raising your hand or nodding along, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Those jobs test your patience, your energy, and sometimes even your sense of self. But here’s the thing: even in the worst of those moments, I made a choice that changed everything. I decided to do my best, no matter how much I hated where I was.

Why “Just Enough” Isn’t Enough

It’s so tempting to coast, isn’t it? To do the bare minimum, just enough to not get fired. It feels like a small act of defiance against a job that’s grinding you down. But here’s the catch: when you settle for “just enough,” you’re not just shortchanging your employer—you’re shortchanging yourself. You’re lowering your own standards, choosing mediocrity in a way that can ripple beyond the workplace. That “good enough” mindset starts small, but it can seep into your relationships, your goals, your entire life.

Annie Dillard puts it perfectly: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Every day you choose to just get by, you’re shaping a life of settling. Every day you choose to give your best, even in a job you hate, you’re building a life of resilience, growth, and possibility. Those daily choices stack up, and before you know it, they’ve defined who you are and where you’re headed.

The Cost of Coasting

When I was in those miserable jobs, I could’ve easily phoned it in. Blending into the background, doing the least required—it would’ve been the path of least resistance. But every time I was tempted, I thought about what I’d be giving up. There’s this powerful quote from Winston Churchill that stuck with me:

To every person there comes in their lifetime that special moment when you are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to you and your talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds you unprepared or unqualified for work which could have been your finest hour.

That idea hit hard. What if my moment came, and I wasn’t ready because I’d spent my days cutting corners? What if I let a toxic work environment erode my work ethic? Every day is a chance to prepare for something bigger. By choosing to do my best, even when I felt drained, I was investing in my future. I was keeping my skills sharp, my standards high, and my resilience intact.

Building Your Future, One Day at a Time

Looking back, I can see how those tough days shaped me. Showing up and giving my all, even when I hated the job, wasn’t just about surviving—it was about setting myself up for something better. Each day I chose excellence over apathy, I was building a foundation. That effort paid off. It’s one of the key reasons I landed a job I genuinely love today—one where I wake up excited, not exhausted. Had I settled for mediocrity in those rough patches, I might not be where I am now.

Dillard’s words ring true here: how you spend your days becomes your life. Those days of pushing through, of doing my best despite the circumstances, added up to a life where I’m prepared for opportunities I couldn’t have imagined back then. It wasn’t about impressing a boss or pleasing a company that didn’t value me. It was about refusing to let a bad situation define my potential.

Where Are You Right Now?

Maybe you’re in one of those jobs now—the kind that feels like it’s draining your soul. I get it. It’s tough. But let me ask you: How are you spending your days? Are you letting the negativity pull you under, or are you rising above it? Are you coasting, or are you giving your best, even when it feels like it doesn’t matter?

It does matter. Every choice you make today is shaping your tomorrow. You’re not just working a job—you’re building a life. So keep showing up. Keep doing your best, even when your surroundings aren’t. When that moment comes—when opportunity taps you on the shoulder—you’ll be ready to make it your finest hour.

What’s your story? Are you stuck in a job that’s testing your limits? How are you handling it? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear how you’re navigating those tough days and keeping your focus on the life you’re building, one day at a time.

David Willis Blog

Day 34 of the 7–40 Challenge: Building a Stronger Me to Build a Better Life

Hello, friends! Welcome to Day 34 of my 7–40 Challenge journey. Today was one of those days that felt like a home run. If I could bottle up the productivity, and sheer satisfaction I felt today and make it a daily ritual, I’d be unstoppable. My to-do list would quake in fear, and the joy of checking things off would become my everyday norm. But more than that, today reminded me why I’m doing this challenge in the first place—it’s not just about tasks; it’s about building a life that feels meaningful, connected, and full of purpose.

Today was a whirlwind of good stuff: tackling home projects, diving into some woodworking (nothing beats the smell of fresh sawdust), and most importantly, making sure my family felt loved and cared for. That, my friends, is what I call a stellar Saturday. As I sit here reflecting, I realize that this 7–40 Challenge—my commitment to completing seven daily tasks to improve different areas of my life—has been about so much more than just checking boxes. It’s about laying a foundation for growth, health, and resilience.

Let me break it down. Through two rounds of this challenge, I’ve been laser-focused on building habits that move the needle. I’m getting healthier—shedding some pounds, sure, but more importantly, feeling better. And that’s the real win. When you feel better, you can handle whatever life throws your way. The endless to-do lists, the unexpected curveballs, the daily grind—they all become more manageable when you’ve got energy and clarity. I’m not just surviving my days anymore; I’m moving forward with intention.

Now, let’s be real for a second. We all dream of those magical, overnight transformations. Waking up 40 pounds lighter with abs that could grate cheese? Sign me up. Or how about a surprise deposit in the bank account that lets you splurge without a second thought? Those moments are rare, and we can’t bank on them. What we can control is the daily choice to put one foot in front of the other. To show up for ourselves, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

You might be wondering how this ties back to woodworking or taking care of my family. Here’s the thing: none of that happens if I’m not taking care of me. If I’m running on empty, where’s the energy to build shelves, run a table saw, or be present for the people I love? There’s a reason flight attendants tell you to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. You can’t pour from an empty cup. By sticking to my daily habits—exercising, eating right, feeding my mind with positive ideas—I’m building the stamina and mental clarity to show up for everything else.

Don’t get me wrong—some days, exercise feels like a punishment. My body’s screaming, “Nope, not today!” and my brain’s begging for a Netflix binge. Those are the days I need to push through the most. Same goes for learning or personal growth. There are moments when my mind feels like a locked door, refusing to let anything new in. But that’s exactly when I need to crack it open, let some wisdom or inspiration sneak through, and renew my perspective.

As the philosopher Plato once said, “We are twice armed if we fight with faith.” Faith in God, faith in ourselves, in our ability to keep going, to take one more step—that’s what fuels progress. And as Benjamin Franklin put it, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Every small habit, every choice to prioritize my health and growth, is preparation for a life that’s not just lived, but lived well.

Wherever you are today, I hope you’re taking steps to care for yourself. Not because it’s selfish, but because it’s the foundation for everything else. When you’re strong, you can lift others up. When you’re clear-headed, you can tackle the chaos. When you’re healthy, you can build, create, and love with all you’ve got.

Here’s to Day 35 of Round Two tomorrow—another chance to keep building, keep growing, and keep showing up.

David Willis Blog

The Joy of Words: Sounding Smart versus Being Smart

You ever find yourself geeking out over something most people overlook? Yeah, I’m one of those guys. The kind who flips through a dictionary for fun, marveling at the sheer arsenal of words we have to express ourselves. It’s wild to think about, isn’t it? We’ve got this vast, vibrant toolbox of language at our fingertips, yet sometimes, we still trip over our own tongues. Or maybe that’s just me.

Let me take you back to my teenage years. While some kids were out perfecting their jump shot or cruising around in shiny cars to look cool, I had a different mission: I wanted to sound smart. My weapon of choice? Big, fancy words. The bigger, the better. Problem was, I didn’t always know what those words meant. Spoiler alert: trying to sound clever often made me look like a total goof.

Picture this: I’m 16, strolling into the Christian bookstore in my small town. The place had this cozy vibe—rows of books, soft music, and the owner, a friendly guy from my church, behind the counter. He asks me how my day’s going, and I, in all my teenage wisdom, respond with a confident, “Very monogamous.” Cue the owner bursting into laughter. For a split second, I consider being offended. What’s so funny? I ask. He catches his breath and says, “Do you mean monotonous?”

Oh. Yeah. That’s exactly what I meant. I had the right idea—my day was dull, same-old, same-old—but the wrong word. Monogamous? That’s a whole different ballgame. I slunk out of the store that day, my ego a little bruised but my curiosity about words fully ignited.

That moment stuck with me, not just because it was embarrassing (though, trust me, it was), but because it was the beginning of a life long enjoyment of language. These days, I’m still all about using a wide vocabulary, but it’s not about looking cool anymore. It’s about the sheer joy of words—their nuances, their histories, their power. Words can lift us up, tear us down, inspire us to dream, or motivate us to act. As the poet William Wordsworth once wrote, “Words are too awful an instrument for good and evil to be trifled with: they hold above all other external powers a dominion over thoughts.” He’s right—words aren’t just sounds or symbols; they shape how we think and connect.

Think about it: words are like tiny time machines, carrying meaning across centuries. They can paint vivid pictures, spark revolutions, or make someone’s day just by being kind. But they can also trip us up, like my “monogamous” mishap. And honestly? That’s part of the fun. Those missteps teach us to slow down, to listen, to learn. They remind us that language is a living, breathing thing—always evolving, always surprising.

I’m reminded of another gem, this time from Mark Twain: “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—’tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.” That’s the magic of words. The right one can light up a conversation, while the almost right one? Well, it might just leave you blushing in a bookstore.

So here I am, still nerding out over dictionaries, still chasing the perfect word to capture a moment or a feeling. I’ve learned to laugh at my linguistic fumbles and to savor the moments when I nail it. Because at the end of the day, words aren’t just about sounding smart—they’re about connecting, creating, and celebrating the wild, wonderful mess of being human.

What’s your favorite word? Or better yet, what’s the most epic word-fail you’ve ever had? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories. Let’s keep the conversation going and geek out over this beautiful thing called language together.

David Willis Blog

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

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!

David Willis Blog

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

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?