Convert. Compete. Level up. – Readying yourself for transformation

February is all about transformation—taking what we do well and refining it until it becomes automatic, even under stress.

• 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.

This past Sunday, we witnessed an incredible Super Bowl showdown between the Eagles and the Chiefs. Two elite teams, but the Eagles played flawlessly, and Jalen Hurts proved once again that he’s that guy. His ability to perform at a high level, despite intense pressure, shows he has skills. Stress didn’t shake him.

And let’s not overlook Patrick Mahomes. Even when the odds were stacked against the Chiefs after halftime, they kept fighting—putting up points and making it respectable. Mahomes kept swinging. That’s resilience.

Watching these athletes, I thought about my 8 A’s and how they apply in high-stakes situations:

1. Attitude – How you act.
2. Awareness – How you think.
3. Adjustments – How you respond.
4. Adaptability – How you respond to uncertainty.
5. Aptitude – How you correct.
6. Athleticism – How you make things happen.
7. Aggressiveness – How you compete.
8. Assertiveness – How you take initiative.

The Eagles and the Chiefs had a full dosage of these 8 A’s on Sunday. Do you?

Here’s one practical way to develop each of the 8 A’s this February:

1. Attitude: Start each day with a winning mindset—write down one thing you’re grateful for.
2. Awareness: Be intentional about self-reflection—journal your thoughts for 5 minutes daily.
3. Adjustments: When things don’t go as planned, take a deep breath and focus on one small change you can make in response.
4. Adaptability: Try something new that pushes you outside your comfort zone—change your routine, learn a skill, or take on a new challenge.
5. Aptitude: Seek feedback from a mentor or coach and apply one piece of constructive criticism immediately.
6. Athleticism: Challenge both your mind and body in training by pushing yourself to take action—even when you don’t know how or have never done it before.
7. Aggressiveness: Set a clear goal and attack it daily with urgency.
8. Assertiveness: Speak up for yourself—whether in a meeting, on the field, or in everyday interactions.

Master these, and you won’t just have talent—you’ll have skills that pay bills.

Happy Black History Month.

Let’s convert, compete, and level up.

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.