Hello, friends! Welcome to Day 29 of my 7-40 Challenge—a 40-day journey of committing to seven daily habits to spark transformation and focus in my life. As I kick off week five, I’m amazed at how far I’ve come. This challenge has been a game-changer, forcing me to reflect deeply on what I’ve accomplished over the past 28 days—things I couldn’t seem to tackle for weeks or even months before. I hope you’re out there chasing your own bold, wild ideas and crushing it on your corner of the internet!
Today, I want to dive into a principle that’s been a cornerstone of my progress: prioritize and execute. This concept hit me like a ton of bricks when I read Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. It’s a principle that’s not just about getting things done—it’s about getting the right things done with precision and excellence.
The Chaos of Competing Priorities
Life throws a million things at us, doesn’t it? To-do lists pile up, notifications ping, and before you know it, you’re juggling tasks like a circus performer. The temptation to multitask is real, but as Willink and Babin point out, trying to do everything at once often means doing nothing well. In Extreme Ownership, they write:
“When overwhelmed, it’s easy to get sucked into a cycle of trying to do everything at once, which leads to accomplishing nothing effectively.” (Extreme Ownership, Chapter 7)
Their solution? Prioritize and execute. List out what needs to be done, identify the highest-priority task, and tackle it with full focus before moving to the next. This approach isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s a mindset for thriving under pressure.
The authors share a gripping example from their time as Navy SEALs in Iraq. During a high-stakes operation, their team faced a crisis: an explosive device was about to detonate, one of their soldiers had fallen through a rooftop, and they were exposed to enemy fire with no cover. Chaos could have taken over, but the leader did something critical:
“He took a deep breath, prioritized the most immediate task, and executed. Secure the roof. Establish cover. Locate the fallen soldier. Account for the team. Evacuate safely.” (Extreme Ownership, Chapter 7)
By training relentlessly for such scenarios, they ingrained the habit of prioritizing under stress. They didn’t just survive—they succeeded because they focused on one task at a time, executed with precision, and moved forward systematically.
Applying Prioritize and Execute to My Life
When I reflect on the past 29 days of the 7-40 Challenge, I see this principle at work in my own life, even if I didn’t always realize it. I’ve set out to transform my fitness, refine my diet, sharpen my mind, and share my story with the world—goals that felt overwhelming before this challenge. But by making a daily commitment to prioritize and execute, I’ve made real progress.
For me, the top priority is starting each day with Bible study and prayer—a habit I’ve maintained for over three years. It grounds me and sets the tone for everything else. From there, I tackle my fitness goals, writing, and other priorities, one by one. This disciplined approach has helped me avoid the “higgledy-piggledy, all-over-the-place” style that used to leave me with half-finished tasks and no real progress.
The Four Quadrants of Prioritization
This idea of prioritization also connects to another book that’s shaped my thinking: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. In it, Covey introduces the Time Management Matrix, which divides tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:
- Urgent and Important: Crises and deadlines that demand immediate attention.
- Not Urgent but Important: Long-term goals, planning, and growth—where we should spend most of our time.
- Urgent but Not Important: Interruptions or distractions that can often be delegated or ignored.
- Not Urgent and Not Important: Time-wasters we should avoid.
Covey emphasizes the power of focusing on Quadrant II—tasks that are important but not urgent:
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit 3)
By focusing on what’s important before it becomes urgent, we prevent fires from starting in the first place. For me, this means carving out time for fitness, writing, and reflection before they turn into regrets or crises.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
Let’s be real: we’re busier than ever. I’m speaking for myself, but I have a hunch you feel it too. The demands of life—work, family, social media, endless notifications—can pull us in every direction. It’s easy to check things off a to-do list without really moving the needle on what matters most. As Covey puts it:
“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit 3)
The 7-40 Challenge has forced me to confront this head-on. By setting clear priorities and executing them daily, I’m not just checking boxes—I’m building a life aligned with my values and goals. Whether it’s on a battlefield, in a boardroom, or at home with family, the principle of prioritize and execute is universal.
Your Turn: What’s Your Priority?
So, I’m curious: How do you handle the chaos of competing demands? Have you found ways to prioritize and execute in your own life? Maybe it’s a morning routine that sets you up for success, or a system for tackling your biggest goals. Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your strategies!
As I head into Day 30, I’m more committed than ever to staying focused and executing with excellence. Thanks for following along on this journey. Here’s to crushing it, one priority at a time!
References:
- Willink, J., & Babin, L. (2015). Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win. St. Martin’s Press.
• • Covey, S. R. (1989). The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Free Press.
David Willis 