12/14/2025
Ignore the Mutts (Slugs)
If you are doing good things in life. If you are holding a standard of excellence, putting the mission first, and loving the Job. There will no doubt be people that try to tear you down. Get ready for it because it will happen. If there is one thing that firemen do well….it is eat our own.
Having said all that, here are 3 ways to Ignore the Mutts:
1. Remember that the Boos usually come from the Cheap Seats.
Rarely will you be torn down by someone that is doing better than you. I would almost be willing to say you never will. Successful people do not have time to waste tearing down others. Do not accept criticism from someone you would not accept advice from.
2. Let them be your fuel
Winston Churchill said, “Do you have enemies? Good, that means you have stood up for something, sometime in your life.” The simple fact that someone takes the time out of their day to try and tear you down means that you are doing something right. Keep pushing!! Prove them wrong!!
3. Don’t respond but be grateful
What you feed grows, and what you starve dies. When you react or you let them see their words or acts bother you, it feeds them. Their negativity is more about them and their issues than it is about you. Never forget that.
But be GRATEFUL that their eyes are on you. If your mission is to make the Job better and they are on your Job, then you want and need to influence them to come over to the good side. If they are hating then you know they are watching. Be grateful that you have the opportunity to set an example of excellence for them.
Finally, you have to continue doing what is right for the citizens, your family, your crew, and yourself. I love my people too much to change what I am doing because someone hurt my feelings. Beyond that don’t worry about what anyone thinks. You’ll never make them all happy.
