James Clear once said, “Goals are for people who care about winning once. Systems are for people who care about winning repeatedly.”
This perfectly encapsulates my approach to player development. Right now, February through April, my hitters are in the process of converting habits into skills.
The Difference Between Talent, Habits and Skills
- 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.
Practicing builds habits. Training develops skills. And skills pay the bills.
For players striving to make top-level travel teams, high school rosters, earn Division I scholarships or play professionally, goals aren’t enough. A systematic approach is what separates those who occasionally succeed from those who consistently dominate.
The S-Formula: How We Build a System
A system starts with figuring out all the stuff that needs to be done—emphasis on stuff. Then, we refine it by making the stuff specific. Once the stuff is specific, we make it simple to execute. And when it’s simple, we can sequence it.
- Stuff – Identify everything that needs to be done.
- Specific – Reduce the clutter and get precise.
- Simple – Make it easy to execute.
- Sequence – Put it in the right order for repeatable success.
When we follow this structured approach, we create a system that removes randomness and ensures sustainable development.
The Tactical Edge: Beyond the Technical
One of the biggest things that sets me apart isn’t just my ability to teach the technical aspects of hitting. That’s something I do extremely well. But what I do even better is the tactical side—building systems that players and coaches can execute and scale.
Because as much as I love developing players, I’m even more passionate about developing coaches. When coaches embrace a systematic approach, they’re able to replicate success, not just for one player but for every hitter they work with.
A hitter with talent can be good. A hitter with skills can be great. But a hitter with a system—that’s the player who can win, over and over again.
Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.
For more information, visit www.diamonddirectors.com 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.
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