As we enter the critical months from December through January, this isn’t just the offseason—it’s the building season. This is the time for hitters to focus on building habits: actions performed repeatedly and instinctively, without thought.
True habits don’t happen by accident; they are forged through tens of thousands of intentional reps, requiring commitment and discipline.
For me, commitment means making a promise to myself, for myself, before anyone else. Discipline, on the other hand, is about doing what needs to be done, even when I don’t feel like doing it. Together, these two qualities lay the foundation for habit-building.
Unfortunately, too many players rely on hope during the winter months. They cling to the idea that somehow, when spring arrives, they’ll be ready. But hope is not a winning strategy. Hope doesn’t build muscle memory. Hope doesn’t create confidence. Hope doesn’t lead to success.
Habit-Building vs. Hope-Having
The opposite of hope isn’t despair; it’s building. Building requires action, intentionality, and an unrelenting focus on growth. Habit-building isn’t just about showing up to hit—it’s about doing the physical, mental, emotional, and even soul work necessary to grow as a hitter and as a person.
Too often, I see springtime roll around with hitters who spent their winter banking on hope rather than building habits. The flowers bloom, the trees sprout leaves, and yet these boys haven’t put in the work. They step into the batter’s box hoping for success, but they lack the habits to make it happen.
In Part 2, we’ll dive deeper into how habits are formed and why deliberate practice—rather than just going through the motions—is the key to sustained success.
Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.
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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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