For more than 25 years, my journey in developing elite baseball hitters has evolved beyond the mechanics of hitting. Early in my career, I focused on teaching the art of hitting, but over time, I realized the missing link—the importance of knowing how to think.

Facing a 100 mph fastball is no small feat, yet it becomes possible with the right mindset.

In simplifying a crucial concept, I introduced the Focus Box. It revolves around four key steps:

• Failure – Acknowledge with humility when you have done it wrong
• Adjustment – Actively make a change, doing something different
• Success – Celebrate each time you do it right, even if just once
• Repeat – Strive for consistency, aiming to do it right six out of 10 times

Rather than attempting to correct failures immediately, hitters must embrace adjustments, avoiding failing strategies like trying to be perfect after failure or better after success.

My coaching success lies in teaching hitters not just how to hit but how to think. Entrusting them to figure out their approach fosters a mindset that leads to success on the field and beyond.

In addition to instilling a winning mindset, I emphasize the significance of expressing gratitude. Character plays a pivotal role in becoming a Major League Baseball player and a Major League citizen. Individuals who lack the humility to say thank you with both words and actions may struggle on and off the field.

Here’s a challenge: For the next 40 days of practice and training, commit to making adjustments after making mistakes. Don’t burden yourself with perfection; focus on improvement.

Simultaneously, send a note each day to someone different, expressing gratitude for their role in shaping who you are today.

By mastering how to think and embracing gratitude, you are not just becoming an elite baseball player—you are developing the character to excel both in the game and in life.

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.

As we head into February, I find it fitting to engage in a more formal conversation about the evolution of my training regimen and the significance of practicing under pressure.

Navigating the Developmental Flow

My hitters journey from August to October has been one of exploration—deliberately testing various stances, loads and approaches to discern efficacy. From November to January, we conscientiously construct habits and fortify strength based on discerned success factors.

Now, as February unfolds, our focus pivots towards elevating these ingrained habits into finely honed skills.

Decoding Talent, Habits, and Skills

Talent serves as the foundation, while habits represent the refined actions executed repeatedly without conscious thought. However, the pinnacle of mastery lies in skills—performing these actions seamlessly under duress. The critical element in this transition is the intentional inclusion of pressure and stress during practice.

The Essence of Practicing Under Pressure

Conventional hitting excellence is demonstrated by hitting a baseball off a tee. Yet, the true challenge lies in consistently hitting a target 40 feet away, with the added complexity of closing one’s eyes, accomplishing this feat six out of 10 times.

The deliberate introduction of stress during training surpassing that encountered in the actual game is the catalyst for transforming proficiency into true skill.

Essential Element in This Transition: Embrace the Shift

As we approach February with a sense of formality, let us collectively embrace the challenge of practicing under pressure. This nuanced approach is not merely about refining our abilities, but fostering resilience and adeptness to perform under the heightened intensity of competitive play.

May this month mark a distinctive stride in our journey, exemplifying the refinement of talent into honed skills.

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.

In the latest session of my Hitting Lab with Jack Minutelli on Jan. 6, 2024, a profound moment unfolded early on. As we honed our skills using the Tanner Tee, Jack candidly expressed, “I’m struggling.”

To which I responded, “At least you aren’t stupid.”

This exchange brought to light the foundation of my mental model, “Steps to Significance,” which was crafted decades ago. The steps—Stupidity, Struggle, Success and Significance—lay the framework for personal and collective growth.

🥎 Stupidity – Defined as knowing the right thing to do and not doing it. To reach significance, one must navigate away from the pitfalls of stupidity.

🥎 Struggle – The process of striving toward a goal while grappling with setbacks due to ignorance or a lack of mental, emotional, and/or physical capacity.

🥎 Success – The achievement of a goal, a milestone in the journey toward significance.

🥎 Significance – Goes beyond personal success, encompassing the use of one’s achievements to serve others and uplift the community.

Jack, one of my esteemed Diamond Directors Baseball Development clients, has been under my guidance since July 2, 2021. He not only participates in my Hitting Lab, but also partners with my sports-based youth development organization, LEAD Center For Youth. This collaboration reflects his commitment to serving marginalized communities in Atlanta with excellence and dignity.

Jack has successfully traversed all four phases of my year-round programming, accumulating more than 10,000 meticulously tracked reps. The meticulous recording sets my Hitting Lab apart, ensuring progress is measured and improvements are noted.

During our Jan. 6 session, Jack shared a sentiment that resonated deeply, which expressed his desire to be successful not just for personal gain, but to serve others. He embodied the essence of significance.

A ninth-grader at The Lovett School in Atlanta, Jack embodies a rare combination of aptitude, athleticism, work ethic and character. His humility, defined as thinking of others more than oneself, mirrors the qualities I admired in Lovett greats like Brent Abernathy.

With Jack, the goal transcends individual success—it’s about grooming him for Major League Baseball stardom, aligning with the numerous teenagers I’ve helped develop. His aspiration to reach the Major Leagues is our benchmark for success, with significance defined by leveraging influence and affluence to uplift marginalized communities.

As a teenager, Jack faces the usual temptations that can derail dreams, emphasizing the importance of embracing struggle over succumbing to stupidity. He possesses the inherent qualities needed for greatness, and my role is to draw them out, ensuring he’s well-equipped to perform under stress. For Jack, the journey is more tactical than technical, and embracing struggle is the key to avoiding the pitfalls of stupidity.

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.

In the world of baseball, success isn’t merely a product of talent; it’s a culmination of talent, habit,  and skills meticulously crafted through dedication and repetition. Let’s dissect these components and explore the journey from raw ability to refined expertise.

Talent is the foundation. It’s the innate ability; the gift that sets you apart. But talent alone is not enough; it’s the starting point. In the realm of baseball, it could be the natural swing or an instinct for timing. Recognize your talents, embrace them, but understand they’re just the seeds waiting to sprout.

From November through January, baseball hitters engage in a ritual of repetition, building habits through tens of thousands of reps. Habits are what you do well repeatedly without conscious thought. Whether it’s perfecting the stance, mastering timing or honing the approach, each repetition contributes to the formation of habits.

February through April marks the transition from habits to skills. Training introduces positive stress or eustress, replicating the pressure of a game. Skills are the culmination of doing things well repeatedly without conscious thought, even under stress. It’s the refined execution of a perfect swing in the bottom of the ninth with the game on the line.

Reflecting on the journey, there is a profound irony in the compensation of skilled players. In the past, they had to wait until reaching the Major Leagues to get paid. Now, high school and college players in Georgia can earn from their name, image and likeness. A stark contrast to my own experience as a 14-year-old cutting grass and washing cars to afford the latest Michael Jordan shoes and Cross Colours Hip Hop gear.

Breaking down the swing into seven parts—Stance/Load, Timing, Tempo, Tracking, Approach, Contact, and Extension/Finish—reveals the intricacies. It takes 3,000 reps per part to build a habit, totaling 21,000 reps. Another 21,000 reps are then invested to transform that habit into a refined skill.

Lack of commitment and discipline is the Achilles’ heel. On and off the field, skill demands unwavering dedication. It’s the commitment to those 42,000 reps, the discipline to persevere through setbacks and the resilience to evolve into a skilled player.

In the end, the journey from talent to skill is a process, not an event. Embrace your talents, cultivate habits with diligence and elevate them into skills through intentional training. It’s not just about swinging a bat; it’s about mastering the art with a commitment that transcends talent and transforms habits into skills, both on and off the field.

Hitters, gear up for a transformative challenge.

In the days left this month, dive into my decade-old bat control drill. Aim for 500-1,000 reps to solidify those habits.

February to May – Take It Up a Notch

Ramp it up to 1,000 reps monthly. Challenge yourself to hit between the cones with your eyes closed, aiming for a 70% success rate.

Document your progress, share the highs and lows. Let the community witness your evolution from habit to skill.

The ball is in your court. Are you up for the challenge? Swing for the fences and let’s master this 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.

When I was a kid, I thought talent was the ceiling. And when I became a man, I realized it was the floor. Talent is what you do well. Habits are what you do well repeatedly without thought. Skills are what you do well repeatedly without thought while under stress.

In 2024, we need millions of boys in America to develop good habits.

A habit is divided into three parts:

1. Cue – a signal for action
2. Routine – a sequence of actions regularly followed
3. Reward – a thing received for achievement

We have a generation of boys in America who can easily determine their value by their baseball ranking, Instagram likes and YouTube views. I get it because I was the same way back in the day.

Abhijit Naskar once said, “Those who focus on attention never attain ascension, those who live for ascension don’t have time for attention.” Boys seeking attention is the cue and they need a tried and true routine.

• Excellence – meeting expectations
• Humility – not thinking less of yourself while thinking of others more than yourself
• Integrity – doing the right thing even when you can do the wrong thing
• Loyalty – unwavering commitment
• Stewardship – protection of values and beliefs
• Teamwork – individuals working at a level of excellence for a specific goal

The reward for having these sacred six means you are not arrogant, selfish, greedy, egotistic, self-centered and self-regarding, and can be on track to becoming a benevolent Major League Baseball Player and/or a Major League Citizen.

Here are five questions you should answer each day using your written or voice memos on your mobile phone that can help you be the best you:

1. How does it feel to be me?
2. What do I need to do today?
3. How will it help others?
4. What is the negative voice in my head telling me about what I need to do today?
5. Why won’t I give into that negative voice today?

In the words of former NFL wide receiver and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, “Today I will do what others won’t do so tomorrow I can do what others can’t.”

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.