David Willis Blog

Day 36 of the 7-40 Challenge: Harnessing the Power of Everyday Creativity

Hello, friends! Welcome to Day 36 of the 7-40 Challenge. Today has been a whirlwind of energy and accomplishment—three workouts in the books, and I’m feeling on top of the world. There’s a spark in me, a quiet excitement for the rest of the week and the chance to finish this round of the challenge strong. As I hinted in yesterday’s post, I’m already dreaming up the next seven goals to carry me forward, and I can’t wait to share those with you soon. But today, I want to pause and reflect on something close to my heart: the power of creativity and why nurturing it through daily habits is so vital.

I’ve always seen myself as a creative person. It’s part of my identity, woven into how I move through the world. But let’s be real—creativity isn’t always a lightning bolt. It’s not always a dramatic burst of inspiration that sets the world on fire. Sometimes, it’s slow. Sometimes, it’s stuck. There are days when I sit down to write or brainstorm, and the ideas just don’t flow. But then, every once in a while, something clicks. A spark ignites, and in a matter of moments, I’ve written a line, a lyric, or an idea that feels right—something I’m proud of. Those moments? They’re magic.

What I’ve learned through this challenge is that habits like daily writing help me capture those fleeting bursts of creativity. My journal isn’t just a place to log workouts or reflect on what I’ve read—it’s a net for catching ideas. Whether it’s a new story, a song lyric, or a fresh approach to a problem, the act of showing up every day creates space for those moments to happen. As author Julia Cameron once said, “Creativity is always a leap of faith. You’re faced with a blank page, a blank easel, or an empty stage.” By committing to the page, I’m taking that leap, trusting that something meaningful will emerge.

Creativity, to me, isn’t just about writing songs or crafting stories. It’s about seeing the world with fresh eyes. It’s about tackling problems—whether at work, at home, or in my own head—with new perspectives. There’s something deeply satisfying about wrestling with a challenge until, suddenly, the answer reveals itself. It’s like writing a song: after hours of tinkering, the right melody or solution just lands. That’s creativity at work, bridging the gap between imagination and reason to create something that works, something that lasts.

I was reminded of this recently while watching an old interview between Dan Rather and Toby Keith. Toby shared the story behind his hit song Should’ve Been a Cowboy. The inspiration came from a night out at a bar, where a rough-around-the-edges guy was turned down by a woman who later hit the dance floor with a young cowboy. Someone quipped, “Well, you should’ve been a cowboy,” and Toby’s creative antenna went up. That night, sitting on the edge of a motel bathtub, he wrote the song that would change his life. That’s the thing about creativity—it can strike anywhere, anytime, if you’re open to it. As artist Pablo Picasso famously said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Toby was ready, and the result was a song that resonated with millions.

I’m not saying we’ll all write a chart-topping hit or create a masterpiece that shifts our lives overnight. But I am saying that engaging our creativity every day sets us up for moments of brilliance—whether that’s solving a tricky problem at work, building something with our hands, or improvising a new skill after watching a YouTube tutorial. Creativity is versatile. It’s in the woodworking project I’m piecing together, the lyrics I’m drafting for a new song, or the way I reimagine an age-old challenge with a fresh perspective. It’s about making things I’m proud of and finding joy in the process.

So, here’s my challenge to you: lean into your creativity today. It doesn’t have to be grand. It could be a new way to organize your desk, a quick sketch in a notebook, or a clever fix for something that’s been bugging you. Whatever it is, show up for it. Keep your mind open, your pen ready, and your heart curious. I hope you’re having an awesome day, filled with ideas that spark and solutions that surprise you.

See you tomorrow for Day 37—let’s keep the momentum going!

David Willis Blog

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

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!

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.