Throwing stones and barking dogs

“You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.”

― Winston S. Churchill

I use this daily.

When something comes up which is pulling my attention I ask myself: "Is this a barking dog or something I GOT to handle on the way to my goal?"

It forces me to:

1. Know what I'm trying to accomplish.
2. Decide if the thing which is pulling my attention is the most impactful and effective thing to get me there, or should I let it slide (for now).
3. Lower the level of emotions which often cloud decisions.

So next time someone annoys you ask yourself if they're a barking dog or part of your journey?
Watch how this simple trick makes emotions just leave you and you're free to move on with your journey.

This reminded me of the great Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius saying:
"When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. They are like this because they can't tell good from evil."

Marcus, who was the most powerful person in the world at the time, didn't say this as an excuse to treat people badly, but as a reminder to himself that despite these conditions he has a duty to go out and do his job to serve the people as the Roman Emperor.