Assessment Week – Day 3
Wednesday, February 12, 2026
I’m still continuing with Assessment Week. I’ve been thinking hard about what I want to get done, where I’m at, what I’ve been doing.
The amount I’ve accomplished versus the level of effort I put in versus what I could have put in.
The Nagging Voice
I think I’m like everybody else. I have this nagging voice in the back of my head that always asks me if I’m doing enough.
The one that rarely goes quiet. Doesn’t want to give me any peace.
That just says: Are you performing? Are you doing what you said you would do?
And for the first time in a long time—maybe ever—I can actually answer that question with a resounding YES.
I am doing what I’m supposed to do.
I have been doing everything I can to leverage these seven habits into better daily decisions, into goal pursuit, into finally accomplishing things I’ve been trying to accomplish for a long time.
And it has been rewarding and frustrating and inspiring and so many other things.
But it’s been so needed.
The Level of Effort
I’m simply saying I know the level of effort I’m putting in now. And I have not done this maybe ever. At least in a very long time.
This is one of the breakthroughs of Assessment Week: My desire to accomplish is growing, not diminishing.
That’s what makes this different from every other time I’ve tried to change something.
Usually, momentum fades. Usually, the initial excitement wears off and the habit dies.
Not this time.
Round 1 proved the system works. And instead of being satisfied and coasting, I’m more eager to get after Round 2 than I was to start Round 1.
The Seven Habits Are Working
There’s a reason I start my day with my Bible. There’s a reason I want to ground myself in Scripture every day. I’m a follower of Jesus. I have to stay grounded to His word. I have to stay in the Scripture. Or I spin out of control.
I have to exercise every day. Even in Assessment Week, I’ve been averaging 45 minutes a day—not quite the hour, but as soon as we start next week, I’ll pop back up to my hour a day.
It’s a way that I keep myself in check and make sure I’m doing the right things. Because if I’m exercising, I’m also not as tempted to overeat or eat things I shouldn’t. My calorie counting and water intake prove that exercise, eating, and hydration all work in tandem with each other. They work really, really well.
I have been pleasantly surprised with reading my books every day. While I’ve taken a couple of days off during Assessment Week because I’ve been doing other things, I’m also looking forward to getting back to that every day as well.
The idea that we are only six weeks into the new year and I’ve already finished three books and started a fourth makes me very happy. And that doesn’t include the times I’ve read my own book that I’ve been writing—which I’ve read at least a couple of times as well.
I have read more and consumed more in the last six weeks than I have in quite some time. And I’m very pleased.
I’ve also done my very best to stay grateful every day. I’ve had gratitude listed as one of my daily habits, and upon reflection, I feel like I’m doing well because gratitude is one of those centering things.
By reading my Bible, by knowing where I am with God, by pursuing a relationship with Him, I stay in a constant state of gratitude because I know that He takes such exquisite care of me and my family. That He loves me dearly.
So that’s enough to be grateful for every day all in itself. But also all the people He puts in my path, the opportunities He gives me, just the opportunity to take my next breath because life is so very precious.
I am just grateful.
The Central Message
I say all this to say: It’s better to pursue something. It’s better to set your eyes on a prize out in front of you and go after it.
It’s better to have these daily things that you make yourself do so that you can get to do other things aside from it.
To train yourself in the essentials so that when opportunities come along, you’re prepared.
The 7-40 Challenge is working.
I am so entirely grateful.
And I cannot wait to get started on Round 2.
Assessment Week – Day 3: Complete
For the first time in a long time, I can answer YES to “Am I doing enough?”
And that feels so good.
See you tomorrow for Day 4.
The 740 Challenge 