In baseball—and in life—success isn’t about talent alone. Millions of boys dream of playing in the Major Leagues, but only a small percentage make it. Why? Because talent is what you do well, but skill is what you do well repeatedly, without thought, and under stress.
February, March and April are the months we focus on converting habits into skills. This is where the real work happens. May, June and July are about maintaining those skills.
This month, we move forward with discipline and intention. We train with focus. We prepare for pressure. We march with purpose.
The Four-Week Focus for March
Each week, we emphasize a key aspect of skill conversion:
- Week 1: MIND – How You Think
- Week 2: MUSCLE – What You Do
- Week 3: MEANING – Who You Are
- Week 4: MASTERY – How You Respond Under Stress
This blog will focus on Week 1: The Mind. The remaining weeks will be explored in future posts.
Week 1: MIND – How You Think
Everything starts with the mind. Your thoughts dictate your actions. If you don’t train your mind to think under pressure, your body won’t execute when it matters most.
How You Think Determines How You Play
In baseball, a single moment of hesitation can cost you a game. The best hitters aren’t just physically strong—they are mentally sharp. They know how to control their thoughts, process information quickly, and adjust under stress.
Three Essential Mental Skills for Hitters
- Anticipation – You must think ahead. What will the pitcher throw next? How will I adjust? The best hitters anticipate the moment before it happens so they can react with confidence.
- Emotional Regulation – When you fail, do you get frustrated? Or do you analyze, adjust, and move forward? Every at-bat is an opportunity to respond, not react.
- Situational Awareness – Baseball is a game of constant decision-making. Do you understand what’s happening around you? Do you think beyond just your swing? Great players are mentally engaged every pitch, every inning, every game.
First, First Questions (March 5-11):
This week, ask yourself these three questions every day:
- What do I think about when I fail?
- How do I handle my thoughts when I’m under stress?
- What habits of thinking do I need to develop to succeed?
Write down your answers. Be honest. The way you think will define your future.
Marching Forward
We train to convert habits into skills. This starts with the mind.
- Talent will get you noticed.
- Habits will get you consistent.
- Skills will get you to the next level.
If you can control how you think, you can control how you perform.
This is your March to mastery. Let’s get to work.
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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