Changing my Mindset
- Dec 31, 2025
- 6 min read
We love the "vintage" look, but a classic ride is just a heavy piece of metal if it doesn't have a spark.
Today is Day 1 of my Forty Forty Challenge, and I realized my spiritual tank was running on fumes. I’ve been trying to "drive" my life, my workouts, and my schedule without actually checking the engine.
Starting The Bible Recap today (Genesis 1-3) was the jumpstart I needed. It reminds us that in the beginning, God brought order to the chaos and light to the dark. This extra mile I’m running isn't just for my body—it’s the time I’m carving out to let the Creator refill my tank.
The Bottom Line: You can't do "new things" with "old fuel."
Closing: Mile 1/40 is done. The Word is open. Let’s see what happens when the tank is actually full. 🙌
So I recently have been reading and listening to podcasts a lot more about changing your mindset. The last few days I have been listening to David Goggins. If you don't know who he is I highly recommend looking him up. He's a motivational speaker, retired US navy seal, and had a rough childhood. His interviews/podcasts are eye opening and they make you feel like you are able to do anything. Not only does he tell you how to build mental toughness through seeking discomfort, but you build mental resilience and eventually use more than 40% of your brain. By embracing failures as a learning opportunity, and continuing to do self assessments, we are able to go beyond perceived limits. I just ordered both of his books. That is how much I love his methods. I have already started using his teachings and techniques. I figured I will bring you along in my journey.
Along with doing what Goggins methods, I also started the forty forty challenge combines with the holy 40. The forty forty challenge is a bible study based fitness plan where you run forty miles in forty days. (1 mile each day) You also read a book of the bible and do Bible based challenges. While I'm not officially part of the challenge (it costs $54), I am doing this by myself. This is a tough one for me. Its hard for me to put together my own plan without a template or cheat sheet. But this is why I am here. Doing the difficult things and growing my mind. I'm making a specific plan on running a mile a day, while still doing my other workouts and doing the Bible recap. I'm also making different challenges and themes for each day. With the holy 40, you do 7 habits for forty days. So I will be incorporating that into my challenge as well.
Those challenges and themes include things like
Scripture Focus:
Reading Focus:
Dedicate each day to reading a specific book of the Bible, or a particular passage, and then reflecting on its meaning. For me, I'm doing the Bible recap.
Theme Reflection:
Choose a theme for the day (e.g., love, forgiveness, hope) and find verses that relate to that theme.
Scripture Memorization:
Challenge yourself to memorize a verse or short passage each day.
Verse of the Day:
Use a daily devotional or app to find a verse and reflect on it during your walk.
Prayer Focus:
Guided Prayer: Use a guided prayer resource or focus on praying for specific people or needs.
Prayer Walk: Engage in a prayer walk, praying for your community, church, or loved ones.
Gratitude: Take time to express gratitude for blessings during your walk.
Intercession: Pray for others, both known and unknown.
Spiritual Discipline Focus:
Fasting:
Incorporate a day of fasting (from food or social media) to focus on spiritual growth.
Meditation:
Take time for silent reflection and meditation on God's word during your walk.
Acts of Service:
Combine your walk with an act of service, such as picking up litter or offering encouragement to someone you pass.
Journaling:
Reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and spiritual insights in a journal.
Community Engagement:
Invite someone to join you on your walk, fostering fellowship and sharing your faith.
Creative Expression:
Engage your creativity by journaling or sketching during or after your walk.
Focusing on Christ:
Using the 1-mile walk/run as intentional time with God, praying, and reflecting.
Applying Scripture:
Connecting the daily readings to real-life situations and finding ways to act more like Christ.
Building a Habit:
Using consistency in walking, reading, and reflection to build momentum and strengthen my faith.
To get started.
Start writing a sticky note accountability mirror. Write your goals and what you want to change. Be honest with your evaluations. Write them on sticky notes and place them on the mirror. Put those notes into actions.
Ask yourself Questions
Where do I need to improve?
Do you look like the person you want to be? Why?
Are you proud of the person in the mirror? Why?
Are you where you want to be in life? Why?
Do a live autopsy.
Examine life, thoughts, and feelings: Scrutinize negative thoughts, fears, anxieties, and limiting beliefs. Many of these are unconscious patterns or beliefs ingrained by others or simply the path of least resistance.
Identify the root causes of behaviors: The "live autopsy" means understanding why one thinks and feels a certain way, and how those patterns influence actions.
Become a mental architect: This concept, discussed in a podcast about Goggins' mindset, emphasizes taking control of thoughts and addressing areas where one might be holding oneself back.
Confront the past and traumas: In Goggins' journey, as described in his book Can't Hurt Me, involved confronting his difficult childhood and using those experiences to fuel personal transformations. The "live autopsy" is about diving into suffering and pain, acknowledging past failures and traumas, to understand why one behaves the way they do.
This involves an honest inner dialogue, stopping the automatic acceptance of negative self-talk, and proactively working to understand and change the mindset to reach full potential. It's a call to action to control your narrative and become the person you want to be, rather than being defined by past experiences or limiting beliefs.
Remove the "governor" to use more than 40% of your mind
Our mind and body only allows 40% of our potential, by removing the "governor" it could be higher without damaging our "engines" You do this by breaking the limits of the mind. When you want to give up, keep going. Do this consistently and you can go beyond the 40%.
Do something that makes you uncomfortable. Don't stop when your mind tells you to. Keep going.
Accountability Mirror: I Started making my accountability mirror. Filled it with my goals broken down into bite sized pieces. I put things that I want to change about myself. Both mentally and physically. I rearranged my negative self talk into more positive words, but in a way that isn't excuses. I put my accomplishments and things that I'm proud of myself for. Goggin's says Reward your wins. Motivation and gratification is very important for me to keep going, so this is on my mirror too.
Seek discomfort: Finding the 40%: I started doing one thing that makes me uncomfortable or something I do not like to do.
For me its cold showers. If you know me at all, you know I'm a very cold blooded person and I'm cold ALL THE TIME. I take really hot showers and usually come out looking like a lobster. So this is HUGE for me.
Do sit-ups or crunches for 10 min a day, NO MATTER WHAT. DO NOT STOP.
Do 20 Min of stretching everyday.
Eat small healthy meals/snacks throughout the day. This may not seem like a big deal, but it is.
I wake up everyday at 6am.
Drink 64oz or more of water everyday.
Forty Forty Challenge: I started running a mile a day, while still doing my normal workouts.
I'm doing the Bible recap along with todays challenge theme. Which is The Restoration of All Things" (Revelation 21–22)
The Core Message: God dwells with His people, every tear is wiped away, and the King returns to make all things new.
Running Focus: As you hit that mile, you might reflect on "finishing the race" (2 Timothy 4:7) and the hope of a world fully restored.
Your Physical Challenge: During my mile today I'll practice "Interval Gratitude."
The Action: Every quarter-mile, stop thinking about your pace and name one specific "good thing" in your life that God has "created" or provided recently.
The Connection: Just as God looked at His work and said, "It is good," you are taking a moment to recognize the "good" in your own world.
Reflection Questions for Your Run
If you prefer a more meditative run, carry these questions from the Day 1 reading with you:
Theme | Reflection Question |
Image of God | You were created in His image. How does that change the way you view your body during this workout? |
The "God Shot" | Where did you see God's character today? (e.g., His patience with Adam and Eve even after they hid). |
Stewardship | God gave us dominion over the earth. How is this mile an act of stewardship over the "temple" (your body) He gave you? |
I hope you will follow me in my journey.
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