Lao Tzu once said, “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
So, who are you? What are you trying to be? Who does your Instagram say you are? What if you do not become what you are trying to become?
When I was a kid, I simply wanted to grow up to be rich and famous. I thought playing professional was the best way to do it.
Recently, a high school hitter texted me two “should ask” questions.
The difference between “frequently asked” questions and “should ask” questions is like the difference between learning to hit off a tee and hitting a 90-mph fastball.
The hitter: When you were in the league, what would you say were two of the most important things you learned?
Me: Passion and love.
The Latin word for passion is suffering. Inasmuch and love is an emotion, it also is a decision. While I learned I was not passionate about playing, I also learned I did not love playing.
I am passionate about coaching because I was not coached as well as I should have been. I am willing to make sacrifices to be one of the best coaches to ever do it because I love it. I did not love playing enough to make the necessary sacrifices to be a great player.
Coaching is my calling and playing was a part of it.
The hitter: So, when you were playing, did you have fun or was it just like I made it, so let’s keep going?
Me: It was not a lot of fun for me. I was not mentally, emotionally or physically prepared to be a professional player.
Because I was not prepared. When the going got tough, I wanted to quit. I had a lot of talent, but not enough reliable habits and skills.
Remember the fall season (August-October) is the best time of year that hitters should commit and discipline themselves to trying new things to determine what does not work and what does work.
For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today. Also, check out our Digital Magazine.
C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an associate scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, C.J. has more than 22 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and a track record of success that can work for you.
