Tag: self-care

Chasing Purpose Over Perfection: Day 36 of the 7-40 Challenge

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey there, friends! Welcome to Day 36 of Round 2 of my 7-40 Challenge. Wherever this post finds you today, I hope you’re thriving, crushing your goals, and kicking off the week with a spark. I’ll be real with you—when I glanced at my watch and saw it’s already October 13, 2025, I did a double-take. Time is flying. The older I get, the faster it seems to slip through my fingers. Life’s been a whirlwind lately, and I’ve been wrestling to slow it down and get a grip on the chaos.

That’s exactly why I’m so laser-focused on my daily habits. Without them, time would just flitter away, leaving me at the end of the year wondering, “What the heck happened?” As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Lost time is never found again.” That hits hard, doesn’t it? My daily to-do list is my anchor, guiding me to make sure I’m steering my days with intention rather than letting them drift.

For those who’ve been following along, you know I’m working on seven core habits in this round of the 7-40 Challenge:

1. Daily Bible study and prayer

2. Tracking calories and drinking 100 ounces of water

3. Exercising for an hour each day

4. Reading or listening to audiobooks for 30 minutes

5. Practicing gratitude

6. Writing daily to capture my journey and thoughts

7. Pursuing my business and entrepreneurial goals

If I’m being honest, I’d give myself a B or maybe a B-minus for Round 2. I’ve been rock-solid on some habits, like my Bible study—I just hit three full years of reading the Bible every morning, which feels like a cornerstone of who I am. I’m also pretty consistent with my water intake (100 ounces daily? Nailed it). Reading has been a win, too—I’ve devoured eight books over the last 75 days, only missing one day. Right now, I’m diving into Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David, Desire by John Eldredge, and Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis. Each one’s sparking new ideas and perspectives.

Writing daily has been a game-changer, too. Getting my thoughts on paper (or screen) helps me process what I’m learning and keeps me grounded. It’s like a daily checkpoint to reflect on how I’m doing and what’s on my mind. And gratitude? I’m trying to weave it into the fabric of my days—saying “thank you” for my family, my friends, my job, and the small kindnesses that come my way. As the 17th-century poet George Herbert once wrote, “Thou that hast given so much to me, give one thing more—a grateful heart.” I want gratitude to define me, not just be a box I check.

Now, where I “‘ve stumbled a bit is with my entrepreneurial goals. I haven’t been as consistent as I’d like in chasing those creative and business projects. But here’s the plan: as Round 3 kicks off in a few days, I’m doubling down. I want to get laser-focused and make daily progress on those dreams. The last 2.5 months of 2025 are going to be about clarity and action.

Here’s the thing—I’ve done challenges like this before, whether it’s 75 Hard or ones I’ve cooked up myself. In the past, I’d hit resistance, miss a day, and quit. Then I’d restart, hit another snag, and repeat the cycle. It was exhausting, and honestly, it got me nowhere. Perfectionism was the enemy, leaving me neither perfect nor productive. As C.S. Lewis wisely noted, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

This time, I’m doing it differently. These two rounds of the 7-40 Challenge haven’t been flawless, but they’ve been meaningful. I’ve lost 20 pounds in the last two and a half months. I’ve read more in the past 75 days than I have in years. My mind feels sharper, my days more purposeful. I’m not chasing perfection anymore—I’m chasing purpose and progress. And let me tell you, consistent productivity feels so much better than occasional perfection.

So, how about you? How do you tackle your goals? Do you beat yourself up when things aren’t perfect, or do you give yourself grace and focus on moving forward? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop them in the comments or shoot me a message.

Thank you for being here, for reading along, and for joining me on this journey. You’re appreciated more than you know. Here’s to winning one day at a time. See you tomorrow for Day 37!

A Quick Note: If you’re curious about the 7-40 Challenge or want to follow along, keep checking in here. I’m documenting the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Let’s keep pushing forward together!

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

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

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.

The Joy of Words: Sounding Smart versus Being Smart

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

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.

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

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

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?

The Power of Talking It Out: Unlocking Better Communication Through Self-Discovery

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” — Rudyard Kipling

For the longest time, I thought everyone’s brain worked like mine. I assumed we all processed ideas in the same tidy, linear way. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. It took a few verbal stumbles—moments where my words tripped over themselves—to realize I’m wired a bit differently. When I’m grappling with a complex idea or trying to solve a problem, I need to talk it out. Saying things aloud is like untangling a knotted ball of yarn in my mind—it helps me make sense of the chaos and find clarity.

This process can be a wild ride. Sometimes, I’ll be mid-sentence and hear myself say something that makes me pause and think, “Whoa, that’s not what I meant at all—where did that come from?” Other times, I’ll blurt out a thought and stop, amazed, thinking, “Wait, did I just say that? That was actually kind of brilliant!” Talking out loud is like holding up a mirror to my thoughts, revealing what’s really going on in my head—for better or worse.

I owe this epiphany to my incredible wife. Over the years, we’ve had countless conversations where I’d dive headfirst into explaining something, only to see her brow furrow in confusion. Halfway through my ramble, I’d realize I was lost in my own words, circling around a point I hadn’t quite grasped myself. Recently, I’ve learned to hit the pause button and say, “Hang on, let me talk this out for a minute.” That simple phrase is like a magic wand. It signals to her that I’m working through my thoughts, and it gives me the space to stumble toward clarity. She listens with saint-like patience, and by the end, I’ve often landed on something sharper, clearer, and more meaningful than where I started.

This discovery got me thinking: how often do we misunderstand each other because we don’t realize how differently we process and communicate? How many times have we been this close to a breakthrough in a conversation, only to miss it because we didn’t take that extra step to clarify? I bet it happens more than we think. As the philosopher Epictetus once said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” But what if we also need to speak to understand ourselves better?

Communication isn’t something that just happens—it’s a skill we have to hone. It starts with understanding ourselves: how we think, how we express ideas, and what we need to be clear. For me, that means talking out loud and asking for patience while I sort through my thoughts. For you, it might mean writing things down, mulling over ideas in silence, or asking questions to better understand someone else’s perspective.

The beauty of this realization is that it’s not just about me—or you. It’s about creating space for others in our conversations. The next time you’re in a discussion that feels stuck, take a moment to reflect. Are you saying what you really mean? Are you giving the other person room to express themselves fully? One small step—like saying, “Let me think this through out loud” or “Can you help me clarify this?”—can transform a conversation from frustrating to fruitful.

Here’s my challenge to you: Pay attention to how you process and communicate. What’s one thing you can do to make your conversations clearer and more connected? Maybe it’s pausing to gather your thoughts, asking for feedback, or simply listening a little longer. Try it, and you might be surprised at how much easier communication becomes.

Talking it out has taught me that clarity isn’t just about finding the right words—it’s about understanding yourself and inviting others into that process. So, go ahead and have that conversation. Speak, listen, reflect, and repeat. You never know what breakthroughs are waiting on the other side.