Welcome to Minute with Mallon!

Something I Taught:

Several years ago I was working with a real estate agent who lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He had 9-year-old twin daughters who complained all the time that he worked too much. His wife wasn’t very happy about it either.

He had given his clients access at any time day or night, thinking that this was good for business. Which might have been true in some instances, but it wasn't good for his family. And it was having a real effect on the rest and downtime that he desperately needed.

So we came up with this goal:

From now through the end of July, I will put my phone to bed at 6:00 PM so that I can enjoy my family and have time for the things I love most!

To achieve this, we came up with a ritual. When he got home from work, he and his twins would carry the phone into his bedroom, pull back the covers, put the phone on the bed, and then tell the phone goodnight. He said that sometimes one of the girls would sing it a little song as she was putting it to bed. 👼🏻

The goal was to stick with it for a full 90 days, and we decided that if he did, he’d celebrate by buying the new fly rod and reel he’d been wanting for a long time. 🥕

He not only got the rod and reel, he developed a habit that persists to this day, and, most importantly, he also got his family back.

What’s one simple boundary you could set that would give you more of what matters most? Whether it’s putting your phone to bed, reclaiming your evenings, or just being more present, take one small step—starting today.

You might be surprised at how big the impact can be. 🎣

Something to Ponder:

“Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.”

Winston Churchill.

Something I Learned:

I’ve taught for years, get to the point! Jefferson Fisher agrees with this in his book “Your Next Conversation.” Here’s part of the book which I’ve shortened:

When facing hard conversations, starting with small talk can feel insincere and actually distances you from the other person. Though it may seem polite, it often hides the truth and signals discomfort instead of care. People appreciate honesty—especially in tough moments—so it’s best to be direct from the start.

Starting with phrases like “This is going to be hard to hear” or “I have something uncomfortable to share” prepares the other person emotionally and shows respect for their ability to handle the truth.

This directness, though uncomfortable, is ultimately more compassionate—it removes uncertainty and builds trust. For example, in a termination conversation, simply saying, “This is going to be difficult to hear” before stating the decision gives the person clarity and dignity. The key is to prioritize honesty over comfort, because real kindness starts with truth.

Hope that helps! And read the book! It’s really good!!

Something I Saw:

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Hope you have an incredible week

Robert

Minute With Mallon! Put the Phone to Bed!