Welcome back to Week 2 of our TRIAL series. Last week, we focused on Testing—trying new things, stepping outside of our comfort zones, and discovering what works and what doesn’t. This week, we shift our attention to the next letter in TRIAL: R for Reflect.

Testing is only the first step. Now, it’s time to Reflect on what those tests have shown us. In baseball, reflection is key to growth. Every swing, every pitch, every moment on the field gives you feedback.

The question is: Are you paying attention to it? This week is about taking the time to analyze and honestly evaluate your performance.

Ask yourself:

• What new approaches have I tried?
• Which techniques worked, and why?
• Which ones didn’t work, and how can I learn from that?
• Am I using integrity to assess myself honestly, even when it’s difficult to admit where I need improvement?

Reflection is all about learning from experience. It’s not just about knowing what went well—it’s also about understanding what didn’t and why. This is where integrity, our core value for October, really comes into play. Integrity means being truthful with yourself about your progress. It’s easy to ignore weaknesses or areas that need work, but true integrity requires us to confront them head-on.

This week, I challenge you to take time to really reflect on your tests from last week. Journal about what worked and what didn’t. Have discussions with your teammates or coaches. The goal isn’t to criticize yourself, but to gain insight.

The Assessment Phase is about finding out what does and doesn’t work so that, when we enter the Build Phase in November, we’re ready to strengthen the right habits. Reflection is a crucial part of that preparation.

Next week, we’ll move to the I for Implement—where we’ll take what we’ve learned from our reflection and begin putting it into action. But first, let’s make sure we’ve gathered the insights we need by reflecting with integrity this week.

Take the time. Be honest. And reflect on your journey so far.

Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today.

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.

As we enter the final month of our August through October Assessment Phase, it’s time to reflect on the progress we’ve made and gear up for our Winter Workouts. October marks the end of the fall baseball season for most teams, but for us, it’s a pivotal month where we not only close one chapter but also prepare for the next.

We’ve spent the last two months committing to trying new things, testing our boundaries, and learning what works and what doesn’t.

Now, with October here, we dive into the first week of our TRIAL series—an acronym that will guide us through this final phase of assessment. Over the next five weeks, we’ll explore each letter of the word TRIAL:

T – Test
R – Reflect
I – Implement
A – Adjust
L – Learn

In this first week, we begin with T for Test. Testing is critical in this phase. As hitters, this is your time to push the limits, try new stances, new approaches at the plate, and experiment with techniques that you may not have considered before. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s discovery. This is your chance to get out of your comfort zone and really test your capabilities.

Integrity is our core value for October, and it aligns perfectly with this phase. Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching, even when the easier route might be more tempting.

In the context of this month, it means being honest with yourself about what’s working and what’s not, even if it means admitting that a favorite technique isn’t as effective as you thought. Are you ready to test yourself and trust the process?

As we progress, we’ll be reflecting on these tests, implementing what works, adjusting where necessary, and learning from every experience. November through January will be our Build Phase, where we take what we’ve learned and start building strength and habits around those findings.

So, let’s get to work. Test your limits this week. Push yourself, and remember: Growth happens when we commit to trying new things, even when it’s uncomfortable. Integrity demands it.

Stay tuned for next week’s blog where we’ll dive into the R for Reflect and continue this journey together.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today.

If you found this inspiring and thought-provoking, or if you have any questions, comments or concerns, add me on Discord and let’s go deeper.

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.

Humility is often misunderstood. Many people think it means thinking less of yourself, but that’s not the case. True humility, as I define it, is thinking of others more than yourself. It’s about shifting your focus outward while still recognizing your own value.

For me, August, September, and October are months of assessment. This is my time to experiment as a coach, to try new things, to find out what works and what doesn’t. I apply a phased approach to my coaching and my life. These three months are dedicated to the assessment phase—figuring out what’s successful and what’s not. I allow myself the grace to try, fail, and adjust.

Once I’ve learned from the assessment phase, November, December and January become the engagement phase. This is where I commit to building habits and strength based on what works. The groundwork I lay in these months creates a strong foundation for growth. It’s about doing the hard work consistently, getting stronger in what works and applying that growth in every aspect of life.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Minority Baseball Prospects National Showcase at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. It was incredible to see so many high-level African-American teenage boys on the field, performing with confidence. You could feel their energy and see their confidence in the way they carried themselves, like peacocks spreading their feathers, knowing they had already proven themselves.

As I watched them, I couldn’t help but notice the symbolism. I wore my Fruition Hat Company straw hat with a peacock feather, and it reminded me of the power of confidence and humility combined.

Confident people who are humble are some of the best people to be around. Our confidence shows that we are good at what we do, and our humility ensures that we will always do our best for others. Confidence is rooted in past performance, and humility is the mindset that keeps us grounded and focused on serving others.

I believe that true confidence and humility work hand in hand. They lead us to keep pushing ourselves to be better while remaining grounded in service to others.

To guide my journey, I’ve created an acronym for “Humility:”

H – Help others first
U – Understand your value
M – Measure your growth, not your ego
I – Inspire through action
L – Listen more, speak less
I – Invest in others’ success
T – Take responsibility for mistakes
Y – Yield to learning

These principles remind me to stay rooted in humility while growing in confidence.

1. How can I use my strengths to serve and uplift others?
2. What feedback have I received that can help me grow, and how can I apply it?
3. In what areas of my life am I confident, and how can I remain humble in those areas while continuing to improve?

As I move into these assessment months, I keep these questions in mind to stay focused on growth, humility and the bigger picture.

Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today.

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.

 

As a coach, my role extends far beyond teaching the mechanics of the game. My calling is to be a transformative force, helping individuals move from where they are to where they could—and should—be. The word “coach” originally meant a vehicle that transported people, and I see my role similarly: guiding others along their journey, not just in sports, but in life.

To be effective in this, I must continuously examine and refine who I am, ensuring that my coaching comes from a place of conviction and compassion.

For me, this journey involves confronting my own tendencies. One of my ongoing struggles is arrogance. My confidence, often rooted in past achievements and the belief that I can replicate or surpass those successes, sometimes crosses into the realm of arrogance. This usually happens when I feel disrespected—when I perceive that my abilities or contributions aren’t valued. In those moments, my pride swells and I find myself leaning into arrogance as a defense mechanism.

But I know this is not the path to true leadership or effective coaching.

My constant prayer is for humility. Humility isn’t about diminishing my worth or abilities; it’s about recognizing the worth of others and valuing them as much as, if not more than, myself. This month, my core focus is on humility. It’s the value guiding my interactions and decisions, both on and off the field.

In September, as I guide my players through our assessment phase—a period where we evaluate and stretch ourselves to become more athletic and innovative—humility is the anchor that keeps us grounded.

The assessment phase, spanning August through October, isn’t just for my players; it’s for me as well. As they experiment with new techniques and push their limits, I, too, am reflecting on how I can better serve them. This phase reminds us that growth requires a willingness to step back, reassess, and sometimes, admit when we’re wrong or need help. It’s a humbling process, but one that is necessary for transformation.

Arrogance, while it may stem from confidence, ultimately blinds us to the needs and potential of others. Humility, on the other hand, opens our eyes to the value in every individual we coach. It allows us to be not just instructors, but mentors who guide with a sense of empathy and understanding. True coaching, after all, is about nurturing the whole person—their mind, body, and soul.

To that end, here are three questions for reflection, both for myself and for anyone in a coaching or mentoring role:

1. What areas of my life do I need to assess to ensure I’m leading from a place of humility rather than arrogance? Reflect on moments where you’ve felt disrespected or undervalued. How have you reacted, and what can you learn from those reactions?
2. Beyond physical skill training, what mental or emotional areas do I need to develop to become a more holistic coach? Consider what biases or preconceived notions may be influencing your coaching style. How can you challenge those to foster a more compassionate approach?
3. How can I better support the growth of others by focusing on their needs rather than my own achievements or expectations? Identify one practical way you can prioritize the well-being and development of those you coach this month.

In this season of assessment, my commitment is to lead with humility. I want to inspire my players not just to improve their skills, but to grow as individuals who value others. By doing so, I believe we can create a culture where everyone, including myself, becomes a better version of who they are meant to be.

Coaching is a journey—not just for those we lead, but for ourselves. And it’s one that requires us to continually assess, adjust, and grow with a spirit of humility and grace.

Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today.

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.

As the calendar flips to September, I am committing this entire month to focus on humility—something I do annually. My middle name is James, and this particular month holds deep significance for me, not just because of the commitment to humility, but also because my favorite Bible verse, James 4:10, speaks directly to it: “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

This verse is a constant reminder that there is no exaltation without first embracing humility. Born on April 10, the fourth month and the 10th day, the symbolism of humility holds personal resonance in my life.

Humility, to me, is not about thinking less of myself but rather thinking of others more. It’s the foundation upon which all my other core values stand, and each September I return to this value, renewing my commitment to it. Throughout the year, I focus on a core value for each month, but September is when I intentionally root myself in humility.

True humility extends beyond grand gestures; it lives in the small, daily acts that show we value others. In baseball terms, it’s like rounding the bases by doing the simple things: saying, “Please” and “Thank you,” listening with empathy, and speaking truthfully from a place of care and understanding. These small acts, while easy to overlook, make a profound impact and demonstrate humility in everyday life.

Several years ago, I was leading a project where I held the position of authority. My team looked to me for direction, but I quickly noticed that one of my colleagues had an incredible idea that could lead to success for the entire group. Instead of taking ownership of the idea, I humbled myself, gave them the credit, and encouraged them to present it.

The success that followed wasn’t mine—it was shared. That experience taught me that leadership isn’t about who gets the praise, but about creating space for others to shine. True humility is recognizing when to step back so others can step forward.

As you reflect on your own journey, here are four questions to ask yourself, formatted like rounding the baseball bases:

First Base:
Do I genuinely acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of others, even when they outshine my own efforts?

Second Base:
When I listen to someone, am I focused on understanding their perspective, or am I simply waiting for my turn to speak?

Third Base:
Do I speak from a place of honesty and truth, even when it might be uncomfortable or less flattering to my ego?

Home Plate:
When I succeed, do I give credit to those who helped me, or do I seek praise and recognition for myself?*

Humility isn’t always the easiest path, but it’s the most rewarding. Let’s all commit this September to cultivating a deeper sense of humility in our lives—by thinking more of others and allowing the Lord to do the exalting. And for me, this is not just a September tradition; it’s a core value I return to every year, with each month bringing a new focus.

Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D. Center for Youth today.

If you found this inspiring and thought-provoking, or if you have any questions, comments or concerns, add me on Discord and let’s go deeper.

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.