Welcome to Minute with Mallon!

Something I Taught:

One of my clients is the top person in a large local government. He's super sharp and thinks on a higher level.

Several years ago when we first started working together, we set a goal that truly energized both of us:

“We are setting the standard for excellent local government services in the state of Georgia.”

This goal is:

● Bold – because it declares a very high standard.

● Aspirational – because it reflects a vision that inspires growth and improvement.

This is the type of goal that will never be fully reached. There's always more to do. And that's the point!

Here’s what makes it even better: Georgia has 159 counties—more than any other state. And my client isn’t just raising the bar in his own county. He’s sharing what he and his team are learning with any county that wants to use it. That’s what real leadership looks like.

Totally unselfish!

It reminded me of something that I heard years ago from a man named Earl Nightingale.

Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.

🧠 What does this mean?

This quote redefines success—not as a destination, title, or bank account—but as steady, intentional progress toward a meaningful goal. If you're working toward something you deeply believe in, and taking consistent steps toward it, you’re already successful, no matter what the results are looking like at any given moment.

💡And more importantly, how does this apply to you?

Success isn’t about keeping up with anyone else. It’s about asking, “Am I moving toward something that really matters to me?” When you define success on your own terms, every step in the right direction counts—and that’s where the real momentum begins.

Don’t just wait to celebrate when you hit the big goal. Every small win, every step forward, every bit of consistency—it all counts. Success isn’t just about the finish line, it’s what you build one step at a time.

So pick a goal that actually matters to you—a worthy ideal. Maybe it’s being a more present parent, growing your faith, launching a business, or making a difference in your community. When the goal is meaningful, the progress fuels you instead of draining you.

Tough seasons are going to come, no doubt about it. But when they do, remind yourself: If I’m still moving forward, I’m still succeeding. Keep your eyes on the bigger picture and just take the next step.

So here’s my challenge to you:

Don’t just drift through the next few weeks. Get clear on your worthy ideal. What’s the goal that actually fires you up? Name it. Write it down. Start moving toward it—step by step. And don’t discount the small stuff. Every bit of progress matters.

Remember: Success isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction.

So pick your direction—and take the next step today!

Something to Ponder:

“People will forget what you do; they’ll forget what you said. But they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou

Something I Learned:

Earlier this summer, Sandy and I were blessed to go to Belize on a vacation. Absolutely stunning place!

Where we stayed there was a thatched roof front porch overlooking the Gulf of America. We spent a lot of time during our early mornings and evenings out there just soaking it all in.

They can get a lot of storms there, so I asked the man in charge how often they had to change or replace them. He told me that when they are cutting the thatch for the roofs, they cut it between one and two days on either side of a full moon. And the roofs last about 10 years.

If they cut them any other time of the month, the roofs last about a year.

He told me the theories behind it, which I won't burden you with, but I just thought that was quite interesting!

So next time you're getting ready to cut your thatch…

Never mind! 🤣

Something I Saw:

Want to pass this issue along? Just share this link: RobertMallon.com/Newsletter

Hope you have an incredible week!

Robert

Minute With Mallon! Raising the Bar!