When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing you do?
Do you check your email? Brush your teeth? Check on the kids?
Oregon State men’s basketball head coach Wayne Tinkle has a simple approach to starting the day which he believe places himself and his players in the right mindset.
“We told our our guys make your bed,” Tinkle said to Positive Coaching Alliance. “That’s the first thing you should do when you get out, right? Just by handling that small task, there is nothing that you can face for the rest of the day that’s too daunting for you.”
Coach Tinkle believe’s that making your bed helps you get off on the right foot. Get the simple things done first and the rest of your day will fall into place.
As Christians we can we use a similar mindset. One way we can develop this daily is by adopting the R.M.D. mindset, or the Required Minimum Discipline mindset.
The Required Minimum Disciplines
- Daily reading of your Bible
- Daily time in prayer
- Reading of a secondary Christian source (Book, Magazine, ect.)
- Exercise
The first is to develop a time for daily reading of God’s word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” It is important that we daily spend time in God’s word before we lead our families, players and assistant coaches.
The next is to spend daily time in prayer. “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He (Jesus) went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed,” (Mark 1:35). The Gospels have several accounts detailing when Jesus spent time alone in prayer. We should mirror His practice of prayer in our life, which requires us shift our priorities and maybe even our daily routine. Jesus teaches us how to pray in Luke 11:1-13.
The last two; reading a secondary source and exercising, are not as important as the first two, but they do both hold special significance for us daily.
Reading a Christian magazine or a book from an author like C.S. Lewis, Howard Thurman, A.W. Tozer, John Piper and Voodie Bauchaum are several examples of Christian authors who have books or content that can help your walk with Christ.
Daily physical activity can help you improve you mood, give you more energy, and even simply making you look good in your favorite outfit. But, exercise has its place and shouldn’t be above reading the Bible or spending daily time with God.
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)
What do you think? Did we leave anything off the R.M.D. list? Write your ideas on the OneCoach Facebook page.
ONECoach is now part of The Sports Spectrum Network. To honor your coach, visit OneCoach Wall of Honor page.
