Harnessing a moment to transform your life
Have you ever considered how a single second could change your life? It might sound hard to believe, but for motivational speaker Tanner Clark, one impulsive choice made during high school triggered a series of events that completely changed his trajectory. The story he shared with Johnstown High School students is filled with mistakes, valuable lessons, redemption and a healthy outlook on life.
Everyone makes missteps, but it’s how we choose to move forward that counts
When Mr. Clark was a teenager, a careless moment with a pocket knife led to an encounter with the police, serving as a significant wake-up call. This moment of poor judgment taught him crucial lessons about consequences that led to personal growth. While visiting JHS, Mr. Clark emphasized that we are just one second away from a radically different life, and the power to initiate that change lies firmly in our own hands. Pausing briefly before taking action can significantly improve our ability to manage future challenges.
“It’s important to be aware of what you’re doing in the present moment and take one second to realize that maybe this isn’t the right choice. Taking this step will help you make better decisions,” said freshman Sophia Cozzolino.
Freshman Austin Casale said he thinks the “one-second” principle is particularly relevant to texting because “as soon as you send a message, it’s always going to be there. So I like the one second approach because it will have you stop and give yourself time to relax and then respond,” he said.
Strategies for staying focused and aligned
- Set clear intentions and remain mindful of your actions.
- Make the necessary adjustments to stay aligned with your goals.
- In a world full of distractions, concentrate on what truly matters and embrace your unique purpose.
“Being part of someone’s day makes me feel better as a person,” said freshman McKenna Ward. “When someone does something good, I give them a high five and say, good job! If someone is feeling down, I encourage them and boost their confidence. It’s about being there for people during their success and when they need support.”
One significant obstacle to happiness is distraction. Mr. Clark explained to the students that internal distractions, like self-doubt, can trap you in negativity. It’s important to remember that you are enough, and your uniqueness is your strength. External distractions, such as smartphones and social media, can divert our attention from what truly matters. Be mindful of how technology affects your focus.
Mr. Clark demonstrated to the students that teenagers:
- Check their phones approximately every five minutes
- Spend between seven to nine hours daily on various devices
- Dedicate around four hours each day to social media
- Average 2,617 interactions with their devices daily
- Heavy users engage with their phones about 5,427 times each day
In light of these findings, Principal Nick Snow addressed the students, saying, “Cell phones, as you can see from the presentation today, are being touched way too many times, and every time that your phone goes off, every time you touch it, it’s a distraction from your ability to learn. So to everyone in this room, your cell phones belong in your locker throughout the day. This is extremely important.”
Technological gadgets can lead you away from meaningful pursuits and distort your perception of reality. Instead, it’s better to prioritize genuine connections and personal aspirations over digital interruptions.
“The thing with social media is that you should be able to set limits for yourself. If you find that difficult, you can add features to your phone to help. For certain apps, you can set time limits. There are also apps that require you to complete tasks, like working out, to unlock time on your phone. That could be a great way to motivate yourself to get stronger or do something like clean your room while managing your screen time.” – Lucas McMullen, freshman
One second of strength can set you on a path to control your life, embrace happiness, and recognize your worth through conscious choices. Taking charge of your journey reveals how your future is in your own hands, and when you choose positivity, fear transforms into confidence.
“I’ve been around bad things that I could never see myself doing. I want to go far in college with softball, so it’s important that every second I’m not playing, I make the right decisions,” said McKenna.
“Doing sports and other activities can help with staying off your phone and not worrying about what’s happening on social media. It’s definitely something that helps,” said Sophia.
“Always think before you post something on social media, especially as we are getting older and some people start thinking about college and other future plans. Don’t make a mistake that could ruin your life; it’s just not worth it. Just don’t do it,” said Austin.
“Mr. Clark showed us that sometimes, when you’re going through something difficult, just having an eight-second hug can bring happiness and peace to your body,” said Lucas.
“The lesson here is twofold,” said Superintendent Alicia D. Koster. “First, be mindful of the words you use, as they can either uplift or harm. Second, prioritize real-life connections and moments over digital distractions. The concept of ‘one second of strength’ serves as a poignant reminder that small, decisive actions, like disconnecting from toxic online influences and reaching out for real-life connections, can significantly improve your well-being. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the PTSA for sponsoring this valuable lesson for our high school students.”
