Tag: mental-health

Day 40: Round 1 Complete – Excited, Exhausted, and Ready for What’s Next

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Day 40 of the 7-40 Challenge
Monday, February 9, 2026

Hello and welcome to Day 40 of the 7-40 Challenge.

Here we are. At the end of Round 1.

And I am both excited and exhausted.

Why I’m Excited

I’m excited because every single day of this round, I have executed on the seven daily habits I set out to accomplish:

  • Bible study
  • An hour of exercise
  • Calorie tracking
  • 100 ounces of water daily
  • Daily gratitude
  • Reading for 30 minutes a day
  • An hour of daily creative time (blogging, writing, revising, social media content)

I’ve been able to do all of this for 40 days in a row—despite the fact that I hurt my hand, have been extremely busy at work, and had a variety of other things come up trying to interrupt progress.

I’m excited because I’ve lost 12 pounds. I’ve been able to revise my novel. I’ve started getting feedback from my first round of readers (my family). I have been actively blogging—this is my 40th blog post in a row.

I’ve also been posting daily on Instagram and TikTok on a handle called BiblePictures365, where I’m creating visual images from the different chapters I’m reading. Over 100 posts. Over 30,000 views.

There’s a lot to be excited about. I’ve gotten a lot done. I’m laying the foundation for what’s probably going to be my most productive year ever.

And that’s how I’m still moving forward.

Why I’m Exhausted

Now, why am I tired?

Go back and read the section above. Then pick back up here.

Of course, I’m kidding. But that level of doing does require a lot of mental energy and a lot of time. And I am absolutely knackered as I write this.

But here’s the thing: This exhaustion is real, and it’s also a byproduct of doing something that is worthy.

If it were easy, I wouldn’t be tired. But it also wouldn’t be worth doing.

What I Learned About Myself

A few things I’ve learned over this last month:

I am far more capable than I give myself credit for sometimes.

My shortfall is not a lack of ability. It’s a lack of structure. And I’ve proven to myself that with these seven daily habits I need to tackle, I am able to provide myself the structure to accomplish the greater things I set out to do.

I am a great example of how the path of least resistance is the attractive one, but not always the beneficial one.

I’ve noticed there are certain days and times I get to where I want to sink into old habits. Thursday evenings with a pizza and a glass of wine. Saturdays to eat out. There are plenty of opportunities to crash my goals if I’m not careful.

And that’s why these seven daily habits are so important. Because I know that either I take the path of least resistance, or I take the path of accomplishment. Those two paths don’t usually coincide with each other.

Here’s what I’ve realized: Our brains’ primary job is to conserve energy, which is why we have habit routines to start with.

I’m forcing my brain to go down a different path and choose a different route, which short-circuits things for a little while and makes things difficult and harder to do.

That’s normal. That’s expected. That’s the price of change.

Thankfully, this month, though I’ve eaten a few things I wanted to, I’ve stayed within my calories. I’ve stayed within my goals—as evidenced by my progress.

If I Can Do This, You Can Too

Here’s what I want you to hear: If this overweight 47-year-old man can decide to change things, you can too.

I’m not special. I’m not superhuman. I’m just a guy who decided 40 days ago that 2026 was going to be different.

And it has been.

What Happens Next

Going forward, this next week I am going to take a moment. I’m going to start planning for the next round, which actually begins next Monday, February 17.

And I am going to get in a little extra rest.

I will still practice some of the habits. I may not blog every day. Then again, I may. You never know. I may just keep right on going.

This is Assessment Week (February 10-16). Time to:

  • Review my yearly goals
  • Make sure I’m not short-circuiting anything I said I wanted to do for any of my new bright ideas
  • Rest and recharge
  • Build momentum for Round 2

I have some very cool details to share at the beginning of Round 2 about progress on other projects I haven’t yet mentioned. But in the meantime, I need to evaluate, rest, and refine.

Your Turn

How about you? What habits are you practicing? Where have you seen marked improvement when you apply yourself to them?

I would love to hear your story to go right along with mine. The successes you’ve had so we can celebrate them together.

And if you’re ready to join me for Round 2 starting February 17, I’d love to have you along for the journey.

Round 1: COMPLETE ✓

Forty days. Seven habits. Perfect execution.

Total Progress:

  • 40 consecutive days of all seven habits
  • 12.4 pounds lost
  • Novel revised (97 chapters)
  • 40 blog posts published
  • 100+ Bible images posted (30,000+ views)
  • Social media system operational
  • Creative breakthrough (The Light Bearer outlined)

Assessment Week begins tomorrow.

See you next week for Round 2.

Your Goals Aren’t Just for You: Day 37

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Day 37 of the 7-40 Challenge
Friday, February 6, 2026

Welcome to Day 37. It’s the end of the week. It’s Friday. We made it.

And I’m excited. Excited to be here. Excited to still be going. Excited to still be accomplishing.

I’ve got a question for you today: Are your goals just for you?

I think the answer is no.

The Conversation That Brought It Home

I was having a conversation today with someone close to me. I mentioned I was on Day 37 of my journey and that I’d lost 12 pounds since I started.

They looked at me and said, “Seriously, how are you doing this?”

I said, “Okay, I can tell you. I have a number of calories I eat every day, and I exercise for an hour a day.”

And they gave me a look like… Oh.

Look, this is not a difficult concept to understand. The execution of this concept is not necessarily easy. But because I want the goal of being healthier, because I want to achieve my goal weight, because I want to be a better, fitter version of myself, I’m doing something that’s not complex—but the execution is hard.

Because, like I mentioned a couple days ago, everything worth doing in life that’s really worth doing is probably hard.

So we do it anyway.

We talked through it a little more. I said, “Hey, if you want to know more specifically, I’ll be glad to show you.”

And it made me realize: These things I’m doing are not just for me. They’re for the world around me.

Why I’ve Been Documenting Everything

That’s why I’ve been busy documenting and trying hard to live what I’m preaching every day.

Today is Day 37. My execution over these 37 days has been good. Not perfect—good.

I’ve achieved what I set out to achieve every day. I’ve had to make a couple of adjustments here or there. I fell last week and hurt my hand, so I had to give myself days off and time to recover. I stopped lifting weights but kept doing my other exercises.

Same principle applies. I keep moving forward.

Every day, I’ve stayed within or just at my calorie limit. Every day, I’ve drunk 100 ounces of water. Every day, I’ve read my Bible. Every day, I’ve had creative time and worked on projects that are important to me. Every day, I’ve read my book.

I’ve been doing these things that I set out to do, knowing full well that I want to be an example for others so they can achieve their goals as well.

It’s not just about me.

What Impact Could You Have?

So I ask you: What goals do you have? What things are set in front of you that are important to you, that you need to reach?

Have you considered what impact you could have on the world around you if you perform that goal, those tasks, if you pursue it with excellence and get it done?

You could be the inspiration somebody else needs—just as I hope I am being an inspiration to the world around me.

My mission is to help 1,000 people. Not just with health. Not just with fitness. But with faith. With goals. With becoming better and better and better.

And today, I got to see that mission up close. Someone I care about, watching what I’m doing, asking “how are you doing this?”—genuinely interested, genuinely skeptical, genuinely open to learning.

That’s overwhelming in the best way.

Don’t Wait

I know what you’re thinking: But I’ve got so far to go. I have so much I need to get done.

The best time to start is now.

I implore you: Don’t wait. Make that list. Get started today.

Let’s keep moving forward.

Day 37: Complete ✓

All seven habits executed. End of week strong.

Round 1 Progress: 37/40 days (92.5%)

Weight: 277.1 lbs (12.4 lbs lost)

Three more days until Assessment Week.

I Can Do More Than I Imagined: Day 35 and Discovering Your Capacity

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Day 35 of the 7-40 Challenge
Wednesday, February 4, 2026

One of the most interesting things about this round of the challenge is I’ve been able to think outside of the box more than in almost any time past.

I put lofty goals in front of myself: revising my book while working on physical fitness and getting social media going at the same time.

Here’s what I’m finding 35 days in: So much more is possible than I ever knew before.

I’m able to do more than I imagined. That’s delightful and frustrating all at the same time—because it means I’m making progress now, but it raises the question of all that time before.

But I’m not going there. Here’s what I’m learning instead.

The Evidence

This realization has been gradual. Ninety-seven chapters revised in less than a month. Daily blog posts by leveraging voice-to-text. The Light Bearer outlined after sitting dormant for five years.

I’ve never successfully finished a book before. I not only finished one over Christmas, but revised it and started planning the next one.

That’s making me feel like I can do far more than I imagined.

The Temptation

If I can do all this NOW, why didn’t I do it BEFORE?

It’s tempting to look back at twenty years of “someday I’ll…” notes and think about wasted time.

But I’m not going there. The most honest thing I can say is this: Until now, I was not prepared to do any of this.

I wanted to. I thought about it. But my desire for action was not there.

What Changed

It was finally time. I had my put up or shut up moment. And I don’t really like shutting up.

So I put up. Seven daily habits. Forty days. 2026 would be different.

And 35 days in, I’m discovering: Capacity expands when preparation meets the right tools at the right time.

Voice-to-text turns 10-minute rambles into drafts. AI creates 100+ Bible images with 30,000+ views. OpusClip distributes one video across platforms. The 7-40 structure removes decision fatigue.

Eighteen years in data management taught me systems. One hundred Toastmaster presentations taught me storytelling. Two cancer battles taught me not to waste time. Twenty-seven years of marriage taught me perseverance.

All of it together = discovering I can do far more than I imagined.

What This Means

If you’re thinking, “I wish I could do more,” here’s what I’ve learned: You probably can.

Not because you’ll gain superpowers. But because when you get clear on what you want, build the right structure, leverage your tools, and show up consistently—you discover capacity you didn’t know you had.

I didn’t know I could revise 97 chapters in a month. Write 35 consecutive blog posts. Plan a second novel before publishing the first. Generate 30,000+ views on Bible content. (More on this a different time.)

But I can. And I am.

Not because I’m special. Because I’m finally prepared, I have the right tools, and it’s finally time.

The Discovery

You can do more than you think. Once you’re ready.

You know you’re ready when you stop thinking about it and start doing it. When you have your put up or shut up moment. When you realize you don’t like shutting up.

That’s when capacity expands. That’s when you discover what’s actually possible.

Five more days until Round 1 is complete. And I’m just getting started.

Day 35: Complete ✓

All seven habits executed. Discovering capacity in real time.

Round 1 Progress: 35/40 days (87.5%)

Five more days until Assessment Week.

See you tomorrow for Day 36.

Odd Things I’m Grateful For: Day 34 and the Space Gratitude Fills

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Day 34 of the 7-40 Challenge
Tuesday, February 3, 2026

I got to work at 6:00 AM this morning. I didn’t leave my office until 4:30 PM. I spent most of my day in meetings or working through data issues. It was mentally taxing.

But because of the program I have in place, I was able to get the things I needed to do done while also tackling all the unexpected things that came up.

It’s ingrained in my head now: I have things I need to accomplish every day. Even amidst the chaos of a busy workday, I track my calories. I drink my water. When I have an opportunity to get up and go for a walk, I do.

Just knowing I have things I need to accomplish every day—even in the chaos—is very beneficial.

I’m exhausted tonight. But Day 34 is complete.

Why Gratitude Is One of My Seven Daily Habits

Here’s the thought that’s been rolling around in my head today: Why do I focus so hard on gratitude as one of my seven daily habits?

What is it about practicing being and staying thankful that makes it an absolute must?

I don’t know about you, but I find that when I’m being thankful, it’s really hard to stay mad about anything. Whether it’s being cut off on the road, or somebody being rude to me at work, or just not getting done what I wanted to do—if I take a moment to take a deep breath and express gratitude for something in my life, I find that it’s really hard to stay angry.

It’s hard to let those negative emotions take over if gratitude is my natural position.

There’s Only So Much Space

Here’s what I’ve discovered over 34 days: When I get frustrated about things—whether at work, at home, or anywhere else—I don’t stay there very long if I say thank you or show appreciation for something.

It’s like there’s only so much space. And gratitude fills up more than anger does.

I had an opportunity to practice this today. There was a miscommunicated topic, and it would have been easy to get frustrated. I didn’t initially react properly. But then I apologized and tried to set the bar for myself higher by choosing a different path.

One of my new favorite things to say at work is: “We have fun jobs.”

One, because I do. But two, because if I look at it as something I get to do, it doesn’t stay something I have to do for very long.

That reframe changes everything.

Odd Things I’m Grateful For

So tonight, I’d like to tell you some odd things that I’m grateful for.

I’m Grateful That I’m Overweight

I know that sounds odd. But what it means is I have had plenty of food and plenty of downtime over the years—of which I should be thankful, because I’ve never missed a meal.

Have I needed to be better and do better with the meals I’ve had? Certainly. But I can say without a shadow of a doubt, I am grateful because I have never gone hungry.

I’m Grateful That I Have a Mess in My Office That Needs to Be Cleaned Up

Because it means I have a space of my own where I get to be creative, think through tough problems, and work on things that are important to me.

Sometimes these messes are just evidence that I’ve been in here trying my best to do something good.

I’ve heard the joke said before that a clean desk is the sign of a sick mind. Well, a messy desk in the reverse must be the sign of a brilliant mind. And I’m looking pretty brilliant right now—but I really need to work on that.

I’m Grateful for an Injured Wrist

Because it’s given me an opportunity to practice persevering when I really haven’t wanted to.

It would have been just as easy to pout, get frustrated, get upset. Let life overwhelm me and derail my goals. I just don’t want to do that.

So if this pain in my wrist or my hand has to serve as a reminder that I have things to do, and that sometimes getting things done means overcoming discomfort—no, all the time that’s what it means—then I’ll take it.

Everything Worth Doing Is Hard

I heard Gary Vaynerchuk say one day: “People get frustrated because things are hard.” And he said, “Everything worth doing in life is hard.”

I really have to agree with him.

It doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing. It just means that the good things are most likely going to be difficult. Because if they were easy, I’m not sure they would be the good things.

When We Position Ourselves with Gratitude

When we position ourselves with a grateful heart, when we position ourselves to be thankful, I really feel like we open ourselves up for so much more that can come to us.

We see things with much clearer eyes. We’re not fogged over. We can actually be pragmatic about what’s coming at us.

Take a good long look at where you are right now.

I bet there’s more in front of you to be thankful for than you realize.

Even on a brutal 10.5-hour workday. Even with a messy office. Even with an injured wrist. Even when you’re exhausted.

Gratitude fills more space than anger does.

And when gratitude is your default position, it’s really hard for the negative stuff to take root.

That’s Day 34.

Day 34: Complete ✓

All seven habits executed, even on a mentally taxing day.

Round 1 Progress: 34/40 days (85%)

Six more days until Round 1 is complete.

See you tomorrow for Day 35.

Was It Always This Simple? Day 33 and the Truth About Starting

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Day 33 of the 7-40 Challenge
Monday, February 2, 2026

Welcome to Day 33. I’m still here. Still going. And today, I accomplished all seven of my daily goals.

My hand is finally starting to feel better. My head’s in the right frame of mind. And I’m looking forward to getting after my goals even harder as we finish Round 1, move through Assessment Week (Feb 10-16), and charge into Round 2.

The Checkpoint

I started this year by writing out a goals list—a detailed vision for what I wanted 2026 to be. It’s not usually my forte, but I’ve been reviewing it regularly.

And right now? I’m actually on track.

The milestones I aimed for in Round 1? I’m hitting them:

  • 33 days of perfect execution on all seven habits
  • 8.5 pounds lost (already exceeded the lower target for Round 1)
  • Novel first revision complete (97 chapters, now with beta readers)
  • Daily blog posts (33 consecutive days of content)
  • Social media breakthrough (Day 23 – years of avoidance overcome)
  • Gratitude practice grounding the journey (weekly Thank You Campaign)

Coming up next: the second revision of my novel. My wife and son have been reading the first draft—it’s the first time I’ve ever written something like this and had people actually review it. I’m eager to get through it and keep going.

And as I mentioned yesterday, I’ve also started outlining a new novel (The Light Bearer) that’s been dormant in my head for five years. That’s got me excited too.

My daily habits are keeping my health and fitness on track. Overall? I’m thrilled with the progress.

The Question I Had to Ask

But here’s what I’ve been wondering: Was it really this easy all along?

Could I have just looked myself in the mirror years ago and said, “Alright, buddy, it’s time to achieve some goals. We’re going to sit down, write them out, and get after it”?

The hard truth? Yes. It really was this simple.

Easy? Heck no.

But simple? Absolutely.

Why We Don’t Start

I firmly believe we don’t achieve because we don’t risk. And we don’t risk because we’re afraid we’re going to fail.

It’s so much easier to stay where we are than to deal with failure.

But the hard truth is: everybody fails.

There’s a theory out there that if you’re willing to fail often and fail fast, you’ll find success faster than everyone else. I don’t know if that’s true or not.

But I do know this: If you put all your effort behind something you truly want to do, failure is not defeat. Failure is learning and growing along the path you’ve laid out for yourself.

Which is ultimately what we want to do.

What Writing Down Goals Actually Does

The thing I really appreciate about writing out a very detailed list at the beginning of the year is this: I get to tell myself what it is I want to do.

I get to be my own driver, pushing toward goals that I say are important to me.

And if I don’t work on them? I’ve essentially lied to myself.

So it behooves me to actually tell the truth. To set goals I actually want to accomplish. And I’m excited to say that so far, I’ve been able to do that.

I Don’t Want to Die with My Music Inside

I don’t want to die with my music still inside me. I don’t want to die one day with creativity that could have been something.

I don’t want to be sitting as an old man wondering “what if.”

I don’t want to look in the mirror one day and realize I no longer have the opportunity because I let it slip by.

I don’t want to have to tell my wife we can’t do something because I was unwilling to try.

I don’t want to tell my son he can’t achieve what he wants in his life because I couldn’t achieve it in mine.

I want to take every opportunity God has given me to do good and be good for this world. I want to set goals. I want to achieve them. And I want to make the most of the time I have.

Because God has been so good to me. He’s blessed me so richly.

And I can’t be anything but thankful. And in my thankfulness, it needs to spur me into action and good works.

Day 33: The Truth

So here’s what Day 33 taught me:

It was always this simple. Write down what you want. Show up every day. Do the work.

Not easy. But simple.

The best time to start was 20 years ago when I first started writing “someday I’ll…” notes.

The second best time? Day 1 of this challenge.

The third best time? Right now, wherever you are.

Start getting in the reps. Start working. Before you know it, there’s going to be so much done. You’re going to build so much momentum. You’re going to get so far.

And you won’t have to wonder “what if” anymore.

Day 33: Complete ✓

All seven habits executed. Still on track. Still building.

Round 1 Progress: 33/40 days (82.5%)

Seven more days until Round 1 is complete.

See you tomorrow for Day 34.