David Willis Blog

Reevaluating the 7-40 Challenge: Habits, Identity, and Becoming Who I’m Meant to Be

Hey there, friends! Welcome back to the 7-40 Challenge. It’s a bright, shiny day out there, and honestly, I’m to be out in it and writing these words. If you’ve been following along on my blog, you know I’ve been all in on this journey of building seven daily habits over 40-day cycles. It’s my way of zeroing in on consistency, one small step at a time, to spark real transformation in my life.

Lately, though, I’ve been taking a hard look at the goals laid out in front of me—tweaking, rethinking, and reworking what they look like moving forward. One habit I’ve been crushing is my daily 30 minutes of reading. Over the past three months, I’ve powered through nine full books and dipped into several others. It’s been incredible, and I’m fired up to keep that momentum going. But as I am in the midst of my third round of the challenge, something’s been nagging at me: Are these habits aligning with what I want to achieve? Or the person I want to become?

This hit home while I was diving into Atomic Habits by James Clear—the book I’m currently wresting with. He drops this gem: “The process of building habits is the process of becoming yourself.” At first, I paused and thought, Wait, aren’t I already me? But after mulling it over, it clicked. We’re not static; we’re works in progress. These programs we set up aren’t just about checking boxes or knocking out tasks. They’re about evolving into a different—hopefully better—version of ourselves. It’s not about the habits for habits’ sake; it’s about the identity they shape.

That realization made me reflect on how, in this latest cycle, I’ve caught myself going through the motions on a few of these habits. My original intention was to dial in harder, to optimize and elevate them. But after those first few chapters of Atomic Habits, I saw the gap: I need to crystal-clear define who I want to become. Only then can my daily actions truly propel me in that direction.

And then Annie Dillard landed the knockout punch with one sentence that’s been living rent-free in my head:

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

That’s it. No fluff, no loopholes. The 30 minutes I give to reading, the way I show up (or don’t) for my workouts, the quiet moments I protect for prayer and reflection—these aren’t just line items on a habit tracker. They’re the raw material of my life. If I’m half-hearted today, I’m half-hearted forever. If I’m intentional today, that intention compounds into the person I’ll look back on years from now.

So yeah, I’m hitting pause. Not quitting—just stepping back for a few days to get brutally honest about the “who.” Who am I becoming with every sunrise? Are these seven habits still the truest expression of that person, or do I need to adjust some of them? None of them are bad (they’re actually really good), but good can be the enemy of great when it’s not aligned.

I’ll be doing some deep thinking, a lot of head-scratching, probably more than a little praying, and asking the big questions:

• What kind of man do I want standing here in five years?

• What daily practices will make that version of me inevitable?

Thanks for riding shotgun on this reflective detour. I’ll be back tomorrow with whatever clarity (or beautiful mess) comes out of this reset. Until then—let’s keep choosing our days on purpose. Because as Annie reminded me, that’s exactly how we choose our lives.

See you on the other side.

David Willis Blog

Keep Getting Better: Day 8 of the 7-40 Challenge

Hello, friends. Welcome to Day 8 of Round 3 in the 7-40 Challenge. It’s a bright, sunshiny day—perfect for a lunchtime walk that’s lifting my mood and shifting my outlook on everything else in life.

I was just listening to See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar, and one line stopped me in my tracks. He said: “When we stop getting better, not long after, we will soon no longer be good at what we do.”

Let that sink in. When we stop getting better, we cease to be good.

I’ve been turning this over in my mind, applying it to a few corners of my own life to see if it holds water. Spoiler: it does.

In My Day Job

If I coast on what I know today—doing the job exactly as I do it now—I’ll earn a paycheck for a while. But technology doesn’t pause. Innovations will sprout up around me, and before long I’ll be out of step, unable to perform at the level I once did. The world changes; if I stay the same, I become obsolete.

As the industrialist Andrew Carnegie once observed, “The only irreplaceable capital an organization possesses is the knowledge and ability of its people. The more you develop that, the more valuable it becomes.” Resting on yesterday’s skills is a quiet way to watch your value erode.

In My Marriage

If I stop investing in my relationship—stop dating my wife, stop deepening the connection—our marriage risks becoming less than we dreamed. Frustrations creep in, fulfillment fades. Without continual improvement, what’s good today won’t stay good tomorrow.

As a Dad

I love my son fiercely. I want a strong relationship with him as he grows, and I want him to become a happy, healthy, well-adjusted man grounded in faith, hope, and a deep belief in God. That doesn’t happen on autopilot. I have to keep instructing, keep loving, keep teaching him how to navigate a world full of dangers, how to resist temptation, how to stand tall as a man in a culture that increasingly makes it hard.

If I stop improving as a father, what I have will cease to be good.

In My Health

That’s why I’m out here walking, why I’m carving out an hour to work out, why I’m pushing to return to optimal levels. I feel better, yes—but more importantly, I’m ensuring the day never comes when I’m no longer able to move, to play, to keep up.

The inventor Thomas Edison put it bluntly: “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” Improvement isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the only sustainable path.

The Bottom Line

Improvement isn’t optional. It’s the price of staying good at anything that matters. It demands change, growth, and occasional discomfort. But the alternative—stagnation—is far costlier.

I want to be more and do more than I am today.

I want to be more for my family.

I want to be more in my career.

I want to be more for everyone I influence.

I want to keep getting better.

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing—thank you for reading these words. I appreciate you. I’m grateful for you. And I hope you, too, are striving to become the best version of yourself.

See you tomorrow for Day 9.

David Willis Blog

Day 3 of the 7-40 Challenge: Gratitude That Shifts Your World and Choices That Build Your Future

Hey friends!

Welcome to Day 3 of the 7-40 Challenge. I’m posting this straight from my gym—sweat still drying, heart still pumping—right after crushing my workout for the day. What a good day it’s been. I’ve got a couple reflections burning in my chest that I have to share with you tonight. Let’s dive in.

The Game-Changer Called Gratitude

Over the last two rounds of this challenge (and now into round three), something wild has happened to my attitude. It’s shifted—big time—because I’ve zeroed in on gratitude.

“It’s one thing to say that you’re thankful for things. It is a very different thing to… tell those things to God. Thank him for what he’s done for you. To share with other people, the way that they have affected your life positively.” – David Willis

That’s me, word for word, because this isn’t fluffy talk—it’s real. Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good vibe; I’m mostly convinced that gratitude… is for my betterment, even as it betters the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says it plain: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I’m so grateful for the life I’ve been given. The opportunities to make a difference. To wake up every day and do better. Who’s with me on that?

The Power of Choices: Lessons from Zig Ziglar

This afternoon, I fired up the audiobook of Zig Ziglar’s See You at the Top. Written 50 years ago, and it’s hitting harder than ever. Sure, some stories feel like flashbacks to my childhood, but they’re poignant. Relevant. Inspiring—maybe more now than the first time I devoured them.

Zig drops this bomb: “For over 20 years of my life, I chose to weigh well over 200 pounds.” The crowd’s like, “What do you mean, Zig? You chose that?”

He grins in that classic Southern drawl: “I have never been forced to eat anything in my life. Me weighing too much was a product of my choices.”

Mic drop.

Then he shares how, for 10 months after deciding to get healthy, he hated joggers. Saw them out there, buzzing with life, loving every stride… and it annoyed him. Until he became one.

Picture this: Running at Portland State University. Road blurring under his feet. Sun shining. Warm breeze. Boom—reality hits. “He wasn’t paying the price for health. He was enjoying the benefits.”

Fast-forward: At 61 years old (just 16 years after that choice), Zig’s resting heart rate? In the 40s. He could blaze five miles faster and easier than guys half his age.

Zig Ziglar said it best: “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”

Discipline. Choices. Daily grind. That’s the ticket.

Why I’m All In on This Challenge

Zig’s been gone for several years, but his example? Still lighting a fire under me. I never met the man, but I’m chasing that same character. I, too, want to make choices that will lead me into a better future.

A future with a heart full of gratitude. A healthier, more vibrant me. Step by step, through this 7-40 Challenge, daily workouts, and every habit I’m stacking—I’m building it.

Healthy. Happy. Reasonably prosperous. And yeah—inspiring you to run your own race.

Who’s ready for Day 4? Let’s keep choosing better.

See you at the top.

P.S. Grab See You at the Top if you haven’t. Life-changer.

David Willis Blog

Day 2 of the 7-40 Challenge: Resistance Is the Starting Gun

Welcome back to the 7-40 Challenge—seven core habits, forty days straight, no excuses. If you missed Day 1, here’s the short version: I refuse to drift through life. I’m locking in the seven core habits I described in yesterday’s post. And wouldn’t you know it—Day 2 hasn’t even ended and the challenge is already swinging back at me.

The First Punch Lands

I woke up yesterday with a neck that felt like it had been folded into a suitcase. How? I was asleep. Apparently, in my mid-40s, even unconsciousness is a contact sport. The ache lingered through Day 1, sharpened this morning, and tried to whisper the old lie: “Rest. Skip the workout. Tomorrow’s fine.”

That’s the pattern, isn’t it? The moment you commit, the resistance shows up—on time, every time.

Winston Churchill nailed it during the darkest hours of 1941:

If you are going through hell keep going.

He wasn’t talking about sore necks, but the principle is the same. Obstacles aren’t stop signs; they’re proof you’re moving.

I also like how Steven Pressfield described it in the War of Art:

The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear is what comes with the territory. He feels the Resistance and does the work anyway.

My Day 2 Reality Check

• Exercise: 60 minutes done—stiff neck and all.

• Nutrition: Food logged, hydration on point.

• Reading: One hour in the books.

• Faith: Morning Bible study and prayer, even when the body screamed louder than the spirit.

• Gratitude: Sent a personal message to a friend reminding them that I am proud of them.

• Writing: This post.

• Content Creation: Still learning this but will finish before end of day.

Every checkbox felt heavier than it should. That’s the point. Easy doesn’t forge anything worth keeping.

The Mindset That Wins

Resistance is inevitable. Response is optional.

Napoleon Hill spent 20 years studying the ultra-successful and boiled it down to this:

Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.

My seed today? the routine will carry me forward even when everything else wants me to slow down. Lean on the routine and do the work.

The 40-Day Horizon

I’m not here to hit a number on the scale (though it’s trending the right way). I’m here to become the version of me who doesn’t need another reset in 2026. Smarter, stronger, closer to God, useful to people—that’s the target.

Your Turn

How are you doing on your goals? What are you working on? I pray my journey is an encouragement to you. Knowing you are reading these words is an encouragement to me. Thank you for that.

Day 2 is in the books. Day 3 starts at 5:00 a.m. See you on the other side of the alarm.

Press on.

David Willis Blog

Embarking on the 7-40 Challenge: Day 1 – A Journey Toward Transformation

Hey everyone, welcome to Day 1 of the 7-40 Challenge. If you’re new here, this is my personal dive into self-improvement—a 40-day sprint where I’ll commit to seven daily habits aimed at sparking real accomplishment, momentum, and lasting change. I’ve tackled two rounds of this before, but honestly, each time feels like starting fresh. We’re in this together: I’ll be documenting the highs, the lows, the wins, and the slip-ups right here on the blog. My hope? To push myself further than ever and maybe inspire a few of you to join the ride or craft your own version.

Let’s break down the name: Why 7-40? Numbers carry weight in the Bible, and they’ve always fascinated me. Seven often symbolizes perfection or completeness—like how God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, marking a divine rhythm of work and renewal. You see it echoed throughout Scripture, from the seven days of creation to the seven seals in Revelation. Then there’s 40, a number tied to transformation and intense periods of trial or growth. Think Noah’s 40 days of rain leading to a new world, or Jesus fasting for 40 days in the wilderness before launching His ministry. It’s a biblical motif for change under pressure, a time when the old gives way to the new.

For me, this structure hits the sweet spot. Long-term goals can feel overwhelming and easy to abandon, but 40 days? That’s bite-sized enough to track progress without losing steam. And seven habits? Just enough to drive meaningful shifts without scattering my focus. As Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” That’s the vibe I’m chasing—building excellence through consistent, intentional actions.

So, what are these seven habits I’ll be grinding through for the next 40 days?

1. Daily Bible Study and Prayer: This is my foundation. It grounds me, strengthens my relationship with God, and keeps my priorities straight amid life’s chaos. Without it, everything else feels off-kilter.

2. Nutrition Overhaul: I’ll chug at least 100 ounces of water daily, stick religiously to my calorie goals (tracking every bite), and swear off alcohol entirely. No cheats, no excuses—it’s about fueling my body for the long haul.

3. Exercise Routine: I’ve learned the hard way that without a plan, I plan to fail. So, every day starts with a walk, followed by either weightlifting or yoga, totaling at least an hour. I’ve got programs lined up for both—more on those in future posts. It’s not about perfection; it’s about showing up.

4. Reading for Growth: One hour a day dedicated to books. I’m an audiobook junkie, so expect a lot of listening, but I’ll mix in some physical page-turning too. The goal? Flood my mind with fresh ideas, stretch my thinking, and keep evolving. Knowledge is power, and I’m hungry for it.

5. Gratitude and Encouragement: Each day, I’ll pick one person and send them a thoughtful note expressing why I’m grateful for them and offering encouragement if it fits. It doesn’t need to be epic—just genuine and daily. In a world that’s often too rushed, this is my way of spreading light.

6. Daily Writing: I’ll capture my thoughts on this journey right here, sharing successes, failures, and those “aha” moments. Writing helps me process and stay accountable—plus, it’s therapeutic.

7. Content Creation: Building on the writing, I’ll create short videos or audio clips to share these insights on social media. I’m naturally a talker, so stepping into video feels authentic, even if it’s outside my comfort zone. Time to learn and grow in how I communicate.

Now, for some real talk—because transparency is key here. I’m not some super-motivated guru who wakes up at 5 a.m. ready to conquer the world. Like a lot of us, I default to the path of least resistance. Comfort calls my name, and before I know it, I’ve drifted from my big dreams to the easy routines. Rest is fine—essential, even—but I refuse to let comfort hijack my goals. As C.S. Lewis wisely put it in Mere Christianity, “If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth—only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.” That hits home. I don’t want despair; I want purpose.

I’ve got roles I’m proud to own: husband, father, friend, follower of Jesus, businessman, coworker, teammate. In each, I aim for excellence—not just to check boxes, but to honor the people entrusted to me. When it’s all said and done, I want to be remembered as a man who loved God fiercely, loved others as himself, and poured himself out to make his corner of the world better. A guy who cherished his wife and family passionately and left a legacy worth emulating. This challenge? It’s a step toward that—a catalyst for forward motion.

If this resonates, drop a comment below. What’s one habit you’re committing to today? Let’s hold each other accountable. Stay tuned for Day 2—I’ll share how it went and any early insights. Here’s to transformation, one day at a time.