A goal is something you want to accomplish. In 1984, the Chicago Cubs won the MLB National League East Division title. I was an 8 year old living in Atlanta at the time watching as many games as I could on the WGN SuperStation.
With several African-American players on the Cubs’ roster, I saw myself one day being a Cubbie, too.
Thanks to my mentor, the late T.J. Wilson, I had my first workout with the Cubs at age 14. They drafted me in 1994, and then again in 1996. I was fortunate to play in the organization for two years.
Several years later, in 1998, I began my professional baseball coaching career. Eighteen years later, the Cubs won the World Series with two of my clients—Jason Heyward and Dexter Fowler—on the team.
So, how did I do it? How did Jason and Dexter do it? How do all of the clients I work with at Diamond Directors set their minds to what they want—and go for it? Making your life and baseball goals “smart” follows this five step process:
S – Specific
- What do I want to accomplish?
- Why do I want to accomplish this?
- What are the requirements?
- Who do I need to help me achieve this goal?
- What are the constraints?
M – Measurable
- How will I measure my progress?
- How will I know when my goal is accomplished?
A – Achievable
- How can my goal be accomplished?
- What are the steps I should take?
R – Relevant
- Is this a worthwhile goal?
- Is this the right time?
- Do I have the necessary resources to accomplish this goal?
- Is this goal in line with my long-term objectives?
T – Time-Oriented
- How long will this take to accomplish my goal?
- When am I going to start working on this goal?
Winning at baseball and life takes a commitment that means you have to reach higher than ever thought you could. These five steps will help you set your journey on course.
To help keep your skills sharp, we have introduced a new type of Skill Build—our Virtual Skill Build, where I can help you develop hitting skills anytime, anywhere using anything. Check it out.
Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.
For more information, visit www.diamonddirectors.com today. Also, check out our Digital Magazine.
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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