As we close out the final days of July, I find myself in deep reflection. For me, July doesn’t just mark the end of a month—it marks the end of a season of application. It’s been a time of pressing forward, putting in the reps, learning through doing, and gaining clarity through experience.
But with August around the corner, a new season is beginning: the season of assessment—what I often call “The Lab.”
When I was a boy, I struggled to read. Not just the words, but to comprehend—to sit still long enough to understand the weight of what was in front of me. I also didn’t respect the power of reading. And because I wasn’t reading, I wasn’t learning. Because I wasn’t learning, I was missing. Missing truth. Missing wisdom. Missing my assignments.
On top of that, I struggled to listen. I had people around me who were trying to give me good advice, but I was the classic teenage boy—convinced I knew everything, allergic to correction, slow to trust. Life had to humble me. I’m 49 now, and I’ve learned through experience the painful difference between opportunities and assignments.
Here’s the thing: opportunities come from man, but assignments come from God. Opportunities can be missed, mismanaged, or even manipulated. But assignments? They come preloaded with purpose. You can’t afford to fumble an assignment—not if you want to live a meaningful life.
This message may sound heavy for teenage boys. But life is heavy. And whether they know it or not, they are already on assignment.
That’s especially true in the world of baseball. Today, so many young players are eager to get footage from games—photos, videos, highlights for Instagram. They want the look. But what about the life behind the look? What are you really showing? Is it a performance or your personality? Are you posting a moment or revealing your mission?
For some, baseball is a game. For others, it’s a gift. For a few, it’s an assignment. Those few—the ones who carry the burden of purpose—will make it to the Major Leagues, not just because they’re talented, but because they understand they’re on divine assignment.
And even if they don’t make it to MLB, they’ll be Major Leaguers at something else in life.
Somebody’s got to be elite at manufacturing toothpicks, painting road stripes, installing light bulbs. Major League living isn’t about fame—it’s about function. And we all have a function.
So, as I shift from July’s application phase into August’s assessment phase, I challenge you to adopt a Lab mindset. August through October is your time to test. To experiment. To try new methods. To see what works and what doesn’t.
I began using the term “Lab” back in the early 2000s when I was building hitters—not just to make them look good in a cage, but to show measurable growth. We assessed. We trained. We tracked progress—not just in batting average, but in mindset, mechanics and maturity.
Today, “Lab” is a trendy word. But don’t let the trend dilute the truth. If you’re serious about growth, you need a Lab season. Use this fall to test your systems—whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, student or coach.
Because come May, June and July—when it’s time to apply again—you’ll want to know that what you’re doing works.
Finish strong. Start fresh. Stay on assignment.
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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