Pay Attention. Learn Deeply. Earn Honestly.

In life and in baseball, paying attention is the first step toward earning anything of value.

When I look at this photo—taken by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ official photographer at the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute (RLI) graduation ceremony, where I attended and graduated—I see focus. Mayor Dickens, who serves as Chairman of the ARC, reminded us that leadership begins with paying attention to what truly matters.

In this moment, I see a man learning how to pay attention so that I can learn, and learning so that I can earn. For me, education isn’t about memorizing facts. It’s about learning what I need to learn to do what I need to do. That’s real education.

The MLB Recovery Period: October 15 – January 15

Starting today, Major League Baseball begins its new Amateur Recovery Period, running from October 15 through January 15. It’s designed to help players recover—but recovery isn’t just physical.

Some players will recover their bodies. Others need to recover their minds and emotions.

This past season, some players got exposure—they showed what they can do. Others got exposed—they found out they weren’t as good as they thought.

That’s not failure; that’s feedback. The recovery period is your chance to turn exposure into excellence.

The Four Bases of Recovery

Home to First — Mind
Recover your focus. Slow down. Think about what you saw, what you learned, and what you missed. Your thoughts create your habits.

First to Second — Emotions
Recover your feelings. Reflect on the highs and lows. Learn to name what you felt so you can manage what you’ll face next season.

Second to Third — Body
Recover your strength. Rest with purpose. Sleep, stretch, fuel and rebuild. A tired body can’t execute what a sharp mind envisions.

Third to Home — Soul
Recover your purpose. Ask yourself if baseball—or whatever you’re pursuing—is part of your soul. The elite compete from the soul. That’s where greatness lives.

Whether on the field or in life, you can’t earn what you haven’t learned—and you can’t learn if you don’t pay attention.

This recovery period is your classroom. Pay attention. Learn deeply. Earn honestly.

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.