Last week, we talked about competing with purpose, not pride. This week, I want to go deeper into what I believe is the true measure of excellence—and it might not be what you’ve been told.
We’ve all heard the cliché: “Give 110%.”
The problem? It’s impossible. And chasing it often works against you.
Excellence is not about overextending yourself to do more than is realistic. Excellence is meeting expectations—every time. It’s showing up prepared, delivering on what’s required and being consistent enough that coaches, teammates, and scouts know exactly what they can expect from you.
And that doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with a conversation.
Step 1: Start With Alignment
Excellence begins when players ask their coaches:
“What do you need from me to help the team win?”
And when players tell their coaches:
“Here’s my goal for this season.”
That’s alignment. Without it, you’re just guessing—and guessing is the enemy of excellence.
The Fall Baseball Season: August–October
Right now, many players are just moving along without a plan. Their strategy is hope:
- “I hope I improve.”
- “I hope scouts will see me.”
Hope is not a plan.
Fall is the Assessment Phase—the season to try new things, take calculated risks, and figure out what works and what doesn’t. You can’t build habits in the winter if you don’t know what you’re building toward.
The Annual Development Flow
Here’s how alignment leads to excellence over a full year:
1. Fall – August to October
Try and Test
Experiment with approaches, techniques, and routines. Learn your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Winter – November to January
Build Habits and Strength
Take what worked in the fall and build it into your daily training. Commit to the weight room, conditioning and skill repetition.
3. Spring – February to April
Convert Habits to Skills
Apply your habits to real game situations until they’re second nature.
4. Summer – May to July
Execute Excellence
Show up prepared. Play with poise. Meet expectations—every game, every rep, every moment.
Why Meeting Expectations Is Excellence
When expectations are met, three things happen:
- Trust Builds – Coaches know they can rely on you.
- Opportunities Grow – Scouts value consistent performance more than occasional flashes of brilliance.
- Pressure Reduces – You focus on doing your job, not on trying to be a superhero.
110% is a myth. 100% is enough—if it’s 100% of what’s required.
Excellence Is Predictable
Excellence doesn’t just “happen” on game day. It’s the predictable outcome of months of alignment, preparation and consistent execution.
So this fall, stop hoping and start aligning. Ask your coach what’s required. Share your goals. Build your plan.
Because excellence isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what’s needed, exactly when it’s needed.
Ask Yourself This Week:
- Do I know exactly what’s expected of me right now?
- Have I told my coach what my goals are?
- Am I building habits that I can execute under pressure?
Excellence is meeting expectations. Alignment is the path. The rest is just noise.
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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