Day 28 of the 7-40 Challenge
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9
Yesterday, I wrote about the rules that make excellence possible. I laid out my seven daily habits—the clear structure that is helping me become the husband, father, and professional I’m meant to be.
I know what I need to do. I’ve set the rules for myself. The system is working.
And then life threw me a curveball.
The Setback
A few days ago, during the winter storm, I fell. Hard. I landed on my right hand.
To say it’s bruised is an understatement.
I’ve been trying to push through. I modified my workouts. I adjusted my grip. I told myself it would get better if I just kept going.
Today, my chiropractor told me the truth: I need to lay off lifting weights for at least a week to give my hand a chance to heal.
And here’s the question I had to ask myself: Do I let this setback derail me, or do I keep moving forward?
Why Getting Fit Isn’t Optional
I’m 47 years old. Getting fit is a must because getting older is no joke. I don’t move like I used to.
This isn’t about vanity. This isn’t about looking good for summer. This is about being able to show up fully for my wife and son. This is about not being the guy who can’t play with his grandkids someday because he didn’t take care of himself now.
Time is precious. I can’t afford to waste it.
And that’s what makes this setback so frustrating. I know I need this. I know every day counts. And now my body is telling me to stop—temporarily, but still.
So what do I do?
The Wisdom of Having a Plan
Here’s what I’ve learned over 28 days: If we’re smart, we have a plan in place for setbacks because we know setbacks are coming.
That’s what setbacks do. They come.
In my 2026 Vision Doc, I wrote out a crisis management protocol:
- Family crisis: Full priority override
- Personal illness or injury: Keep all habits except exercise if rest needed
- Everything else: Spit out the blood and keep going
Today falls into category two.
My hand needs to heal. My chiropractor gave me professional guidance. Ignoring that isn’t toughness—it’s stupidity.
So I’m resting today. No exercise. No weightlifting. No yoga. Just rest.
But here’s the key: I’m still doing everything else.
✓ Bible study
✓ Calorie tracking
✓ Water
✓ Reading (Talk Like TED is firing me up)
✓ Gratitude
✓ Creative work (writing this post)
✗ Exercise (resting today)
Six out of seven habits completed. The system holds.
Tomorrow: Back to Forward Momentum
Day 29, I’ll pick up with a full hour of walking or walking and yoga. No weights until my hand is healed and my chiropractor clears me.
The weightlifting will wait. The 13-week plan will adjust. The rules I set for myself yesterday? They’re still in place. I’m just applying wisdom to how I execute them.
Because the goal isn’t to prove I’m tough by ignoring my body. The goal is to become the best version of myself for my family—and that requires sustainable health, not reckless pushing through pain.
Do Not Grow Weary
Paul’s words in Galatians 6:9 keep echoing in my head today:
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.”
The setback is frustrating. The pause is annoying. The lost week of lifting feels like wasted time.
But I’m not giving up.
I’m not growing weary.
Because I know the harvest is coming.
Twenty-eight days of consistent execution. Weight loss trending in the right direction. Novel revision progressing. Social media breakthrough in motion. Daily blog posts stacking up.
One week of modified exercise doesn’t erase 28 days of proof.
The rules are still in place. The system is still working. The mission is still clear.
I just have to be wise enough to know when to rest so I can keep going for the long haul.
What Do We Do When Setbacks Come?
We do what we planned to do.
We don’t panic. We don’t quit. We don’t let one obstacle derail the entire mission.
We adjust. We rest when needed. We keep moving forward with what we can do while we heal what we can’t.
And we remember: The harvest is coming if we do not give up.
Day 28 looks different than I wanted it to. But it’s not a failure. It’s wisdom in action.
Tomorrow, I walk. Next week, I lift again. The long game continues.
Do not grow weary of doing good.
The harvest is coming.
Day 28: Complete ✓
Six out of seven habits executed. Resting wisely to fight another day.
Round 1 Progress: 28/40 days (70%)
See you tomorrow for Day 29.
The 740 Challenge 