Like many people this past weekend, I was stuck in the house because of ice. Roads are frozen. Plans canceled. Schedules paused. At first, it feels inconvenient. Then uncomfortable. And if you let it, it becomes something else entirely: an opportunity to think.
And thinking is hard, which is exactly why many people don’t do it.
We live in a world that rewards movement, noise and constant activity. But growth rarely happens at full speed. Sometimes it happens when everything stops.
That’s what ice does. It forces you to sit. It forces you to stay. And if you’re disciplined enough, it forces you to think.
ICE = Intentional Cognitive Evaluation
Here’s the acronym I kept coming back to over the weekend:
(I) Intentional – You don’t accidentally think well. You have to choose it.
(C) Cognitive – This is about how you process information, not just how hard you work.
(E) Evaluation – What’s working? What isn’t? And what needs to change before it counts?
ICE slows everything down just enough to give you clarity if you’re willing to use it.
Cold Weather, Warm Truths
As baseball season approaches, here’s a reality many people ignore: Just because games start doesn’t mean conditions are ideal. It’s still cold. Bodies aren’t fully loose. Timing isn’t perfect. Pressure arrives before comfort does.
And that’s where separation happens. The players who know how to think are the ones who can perform under pressure. Because performance isn’t accidental.
Playing to Learn vs. Performing to Win
These two things are not the same.
- You play to learn.
Learning is about experimentation, failure, and adjustment. - You perform to win.
Performance is about execution on demand, under pressure, with consequences.
Confusing the two leads to frustration.
Learning requires patience.
Performance requires preparation.
And preparation doesn’t start when the season starts.
The Calendar Matters
This is why I’m intentional with how hitters develop throughout the year:
November–January:
- We build habits and strength.
- Repetition. Movement quality. Physical and mental foundations.
February–April:
- We convert habits into skills.
- Timing. Decision-making. Game-speed execution.Because skills pay bills, but habits are what fund the account. You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall back on what you’ve built.
Are You Ready to Perform?
Here are some questions worth answering honestly.
For Players
- When things go wrong, do I have a process or do I panic?
- Can I explain why I do what I do in the box, or am I just copying?
- Am I prepared to execute when it’s uncomfortable, cold or chaotic?
For Parents
- Do I value my child’s preparation as much as their performance?
- Am I reinforcing habits or reacting emotionally to outcomes?
- Do I understand the difference between development seasons and performance seasons?
For Coaches
- Am I teaching players what to do or how to think?
- Have we built habits that can survive pressure?
- Do my practices reflect the moments I expect players to perform in?
Ice doesn’t ask permission. It just forces a pause. And sometimes, that pause is exactly what’s needed.
The ones who use ICE time to think—really think—are the ones who are ready when the game speeds back up.
Because when the moment comes, there’s no time to figure it out.
You either prepared…
or you didn’t.
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.
(Photo credit: Fox 5 Atlanta)
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.
Leave a Reply