How to Find Balance as a Coach

“Balance provides the chance for longevity. You can be a champion at work and at home.”

This piece of wisdom is courtesy of former NFL coach Tony Dungy. His friend and former coach Herm Edwards said Dungy was about faith, family and football, in that order, no exceptions.

At times, we feel we must “burn the candle at both ends” just to get everything done. Here are some sobering stats from a coach’s perspective: On average, a college football coach will work 75 hours a week, while watching 14 hours of film, and doing seven hours of recruiting per week. That is a lot of candle-burning!

Other coaches—high school, middle school and so on—may not be “full-time” coaches, but they are likely working a full-time job and still sticking to the rigors of a coaching responsibility. That can fuel stress! These coaches could be spouses and/or parents, people who do community service, people with cars and houses to maintain or bills to pay. Perhaps they are deacons or elders in their churches. All the pressures add up.

There is no shortage of opportunities that sound fun and even glamourous or prestigious. But opportunities can come with baggage that adds to an already-burdened person.

So, what can be done?

Coach, if you find balance hard, ask yourself these questions:

Do you have margin?

Jesus Himself taught us about margin. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He (Jesus) got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place; and there He was praying.”

Multiple Gospel accounts have Jesus removing Himself from everyone else, and most of the time He was in prayer. Here it mentioned prayer specifically, but the point is important things in life need time. As Jesus role-modeled, time to pray is important. If you are a spouse and/or a parent, the people in your family are important. Rest is important.   

What gives you energy?

The “spiritual disciplines” are important. In the above verse, Jesus modeled two: solitude and prayer. After fasting for 40 days in the wilderness (mentioned in Luke 4 and Matthew 4), Jesus was challenged by the devil to make stones into bread. Jesus then quoted Deuteronomy 8:3:

“…man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” 

The word used for “live” in both the Old and New Testaments means to “quick.” Our animation, our ability to live and operate as Christians, comes from God’s Word, not just the food on our table. 

Once we learn to build in margins, we can properly nourish our spirit with a proper diet of the Lord and His Word. 

What is your focus?

As a coach, there is a charge of excitement when one of your athletes gets that scholarship or succeeds at the next level. There is nothing wrong with that, unless that is all your coaching is about. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Coaching to the glory of God does two things. First, it keeps your focus where it needs to be. Mistakes by players, or even your mistakes, are not life or death. You will see great teaching moments about life, not solely sport. Secondly, you give God thanks by coaching for Him. Your coaching is a praise to the Lord who gave you everything to coach as you do, including His Son. 

Do you serve?

It might sound like more work, but God, through the disciple Peter, gives us a directive about serving. 

“Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.” –1 Peter 4:10-11

By making time to serve away from your sport, you uplift others with the gifts you have been given. Plus, serving takes focus off yourself and puts it on another. Compassion for others can go a long way towards not feeling over-burdened.

Don’t let the burden win. Bring it to your Lord. Jesus died to untie you from burdens. Live in this truth and see what God does with not just your coaching, but your life.

LIVE IT OUT

Theme Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Quarter Verse: “… and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” –Ephesians 3:19

Question: Do you have margin in your life? If not, how might you be able to shape your time to make some?

Challenge: Make some time to step away for a day, or even a few hours, and get quiet with God. Ask Him about your schedule and life, and ask Him to see where you can make changes to better live in rhythm with Him and the people He’s entrusted to you. 

CTA: Coaches juggle a lot, but it can often seem like the scales fall unbalanced. To help discern what it look like to maintain a rhythm of renewal as a coach in Christ, visit FCA’s The CORE.

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.