February 18, 2026
One Person. One Choice. BIG Impact.
“I may be only one person, but I can be one person who makes a difference.” - Vadra Grace, age 10
“Attitude is, in fact, a simple daily choice. It makes a significant difference in individual and group success.” - Pat Summitt, former Women’s University of Tennessee Basketball Coach
February falls almost in the “middle” of our programming year, after our big fall launches and around our spring showcases. That’s exactly when our everyday choices matter most. This month, let’s keep it simple and powerful: be the one and choose the attitude that moves your youth, volunteers, and teammates forward. In our Beyond Ready movement, small, consistent actions are how we advance our mission of ensuring every young person feels connected, growing capable and caring leaders, and preparing youth to be career‑ and life‑ready. One person, one choice, repeated daily, is how momentum builds.
In practice, “being the one” looks ordinary and game-changing at the same time: the agent who calls a family back the same day; the volunteer who quietly sets up chairs and welcomes newcomers by name; the teen who invites a first‑timer to sit with them. And “choosing the attitude” is the leadership muscle behind it - showing up calm when plans wobble, staying curious when conflict surfaces, and modeling the “we’ve got this” that steadies a room. These choices strengthen connection and make space for youth to lead and learn by doing.
Consider a simple rhythm to turn intent into impact:
- Welcome - personally greet three people at an upcoming event or meeting. This helps establish a connection before content is delivered.
- Encourage - offer a specific “I noticed…” affirmation to a 4-H member; this builds confidence, voice, and a deeper connection.
- Simplify - remove one friction point from a process (a confusing form, an unclear deadline); this frees time and energy for real learning.
- Connect - reach out to a family or individual you haven’t seen lately; this keeps relationships strong and pathways open.
None of these actions are flashy. They are simply the kind that compound into trust, and trust is the engine of growth.
If you want a quick daily prompt, try this: start your morning with, “Today I’ll be the one who…” and end your day with three lines: What worked? What did I learn? What will I try tomorrow? Over time, those reflections shape the connection-rich culture we need for youth to be successful. Your one person + one choice today may be the turning point for someone else - and it moves all of us closer to achieving pieces of our Kansas 4-H Beyond Ready movement.