December is not a month to drift—it’s a month to build. While others slow down, leaders prepare. December is where habits are formed and strength—physical, mental and emotional—is developed. January may be for goals, but December is for foundations.
What a Habit Is
A habit is something you do well, repeatedly, without thought.
Every habit has three parts:
- Cue – what triggers the behavior
- Routine – what you do
- Reward – why your brain repeats it
That’s why November, December and January matter. This is the habit-building season.
From Habits to Skills
Habits are not the end goal—they are the training ground.
February, March, and April are when habits convert into skills.
- Habits = doing something well without thought
- Skills = doing it well without thought under stress
Skills pay bills. Skills separate preparation from performance.
The Three Strengths We Must Build
- Physical Strength – Discipline, durability, and stewardship of the body. Training and recovery are responsibilities—not extras.
- Mental Strength – The ability to stay focused and disciplined when motivation fades. Mental strength is built through structure and repetition.
- Emotional Strength – The ability to regulate emotions, carry pressure, and respond with maturity. Without emotional strength, mental and physical strength eventually collapse.
Success Comes With Responsibility
Today, many chase success for self—especially in sports. But in this era, success alone is not enough. Success carries a responsibility to serve and advocate for others.
The Basepath of Injustice
Using a baseball lens:
- Home to First – Unequal access, underfunded schools, housing and food insecurity
- First to Second – Bias, limited exposure, unequal resources
- Second to Third – Economic, healthcare, mental health and justice disparities
- Third to Home – Resistance to truth, silencing advocates, leadership gaps
These injustices don’t fix themselves. They require advocates.
The Challenge for 2026
As we enter 2026, the challenge is clear:
- Build habits now.
- Convert them into skills later.
- And use your success to serve others.
Go into the new year physically stronger, mentally sharper and emotionally steadier—not just for personal gain, but for collective good.
Because real greatness isn’t how far you go alone—it’s who moves forward because you did.
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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