Irritation is a message. We experience irritation when something is not quite right -- something needs soothing or scratching. But if you don't immediately soothe or scratch it, and the irritation continues, you may not be paying attention to something and your productivity is diminished. Irritating people are usually irritating to the degree you're not clear what you want or what you're doing. If you're highly focused on where you're going and your priorities, you'll know how to deal with things that are not in alignment with you and will act accordingly. If you stick around irritation, look to see if you want something you're afraid of losing if you confront or bypass it, or whether it's just a reminder that you're irritated with yourself for not being more focused.