Learn to Ignore the Noise

A story, quote, and lesson from a walk around the block

Get your steps in.

I’ve been trying to be more active lately. I found myself barely passing 2,000 steps a day, basically going from bed to desk and back again. Something had to change. I began slowly ramping up my step count over the past few weeks, now aiming to hit ~8,000 steps daily.

Most of my progress comes from trying to include a walk around my neighborhood every day. Watching people go about their day. Feeling the wind on my face. The sun on my back. It boosts my mood. And although I usually stick to music or a podcast, there’s always a moment when the world around me breaks through.

Near the end of my walk, there’s a big hill lined with houses. In a car, you’d barely notice the incline, but on foot, it’s a different story. And just when your legs are burning and you’re catching your breath, you get a bonus surprise: a barking dog lunges out to scare the crap out of you.

Credit: Getty Images

The first time I reached the top, I must admit I jumped when I heard it bark. My instincts kicked in, and my brain went straight into fight-or-flight mode. Once I saw there was a fence between us I relaxed. But I was still a bit shaken.

On the walk home, I kept thinking about that dog. How many people does it bark at each day? Is it trying to scare them, or just hoping someone will stop and play? It didn’t matter. All I knew was this: next time, I’d be ready for it.

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

- Winston Churchill

The next time I went on a walk, I reached the top of the hill and even paused, waiting for the dog to come barking at the fence. This time, I didn’t flinch. I was prepared. I knew what to expect. But more importantly, I knew it was just noise in my way. The fence kept us apart, and nothing was going to change that.

Since then, I actually look forward to this moment during my walks. It is my time of the day to face a bit of push back, a bit of adversity and to boldly smile back, knowing I am one step closer to my goals.

What’s true for me might not be true for you. But I’m sure we all have a barking dog we need to ignore. Maybe it’s the doubters from your latest project, a job interview that didn’t work out, or just your inner critic getting loud again. Whatever it is, learn to smile when faced with adversity. Don’t flinch. Keep walking.

So now I ask you:

What noise is keeping you from focusing on your goals?

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