The Making of Elite: From Entry to Excellence

Everybody wants to be elite. The word itself carries weight. But before you can reach elite status, you have to pass through two very important stages: entry level and emerging level. Too many skip over those steps, not realizing that without a solid foundation, striving to be elite leads to stress, burnout, or failure.

Being elite is not just about talent—it’s about commitment, discipline, training, and coaching. Commitment is a promise made to yourself, for yourself, before anyone else. Discipline is doing what needs to be done, especially when you don’t want to.

So, what does an elite athlete look like, sound like and act like? Here’s a checklist of the five most important markers:

Top Five Traits of Elite Athletes

1. Commitment to Consistency

• Look like: Showing up every day, prepared and intentional.
• Sound like: Speaking with conviction, not excuses.
• Act like: Keeping promises to themselves before they keep them to anyone else.

2. Discipline in the Details

• Look like: Focused posture, organized routines, deliberate preparation.
• Sound like: Clear, concise and confident communication.
• Act like: Doing what’s required—even when inconvenient or uncomfortable.

3. Resilience Under Stress

• Look like: Calm body language in high-pressure moments.
• Sound like: Problem-solving language instead of panic.
• Act like: Performing with skill, not just talent, when stakes are highest.

4. Alignment with Core Values

• Look like: Integrity on display in decisions and habits.
• Sound like: Language rooted in humility, loyalty and excellence.
• Act like: Living out values such as stewardship and teamwork through consistent actions.

5. Conviction and Courage

Look like: Stepping into challenges instead of shrinking back.
Sound like: Truth spoken plainly—even when it’s not easy.
Act like: Accepting measurable outcomes and being accountable for results.

Elite athletes are not defined by highlight reels—they are defined by habits. Talent may get you noticed, but skills under stress keep you there.

Five Things to Start Doing If You’re Not Yet Elite

Not everyone begins with elite intangibles. The good news is, you can develop them. If you’re not there yet, here are five starting points:

1. Seek Consequential Coaching – Don’t just chase encouragement—demand the truth, even when it stings. Good coaching requires accountability.
2. Measure Everything –Stop relying on hope, prayer and hard work alone. Track progress. Numbers don’t lie.
3. Build Daily Habits – Shift from trying hard occasionally to doing the right things repeatedly without thought.
4. Align with Core Values – Excellence, humility, integrity, loyalty, stewardship and teamwork must move from words to actions.
5. Train for Skill, Not Just Talent – Talent is what you do well. Habits are what you do well repeatedly. Skill is what you do well repeatedly under stress. Train accordingly.

Being elite is not a mysterious gift reserved for a select few. It is the result of commitment, discipline, values, conviction, and the courage to face truth. Whether in baseball, business or life, these are the markers of elite performers.

For more information, visit www.diamonddirectors.com today.

If you don’t have them yet, start building them now. Because when the moment of pressure arrives, the difference between entry level, emerging, and elite will not be how hard you try—but how well you’ve been trained.

Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.

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.