As it turns out, the only opinions of you that matter are
your own and
your arena people. They’re with you, in your life in a way that matters and is healthy. They’re succeeding the way you want to succeed, or offering support, or fighting it out beside you, giving blood sweat and tears. Usually all three at the same time. The arena isn’t about achievements but about shared values and visions. Maybe failing sometimes but learning lessons along the way. Lessons that matter to you. Lessons that are relevant to you.
Because it’s not about whether advice from others—outside the arena—is valid or good or worthy or not. Some of it is probably great. Some of it is on point. Super helpful. But if they’re not going after what you’re going after, their advice is not for you. And their opinions of you do not matter.
Maybe they’re in AN arena, but it’s not YOUR arena.
The people you want to listen to are the people who are in the same arena with you, because they’re fighting for the same thing(s) and their wisdom is relevant to your life.