Don't get held back
I always felt like my environment had high expectations, that includes me as well. Was always good at what I did, whether it was football or school, results were always there. But there were times and things where I couldn't always match those, for example in darts, but also in school at some point. It lowered my self esteem, my confidence, I started to doubt myself more and more. Even though I told my environment and myself to not compare me with others, it still always felt that way. Now in poker, same thing happens, it feels like people, once again including myself (maybe because of those people), expects lots of results. Like I said before, after having one losing session, people are already starting to doubt me, start to question my path.
Poker is the worst game for that, even the best in the world go on massive swings. So when you aren't the best in the world, like me, the swings are even bigger. That is already tough on itself, but people talking down on you, or even you thinking that they are thinking you are not doing good, only makes it harder.
The other day I tried to explain why I was working so hard, giving up partying, boating, relaxing... it just got mocked by saying: Do you think you've already achieved a lot? Are you happy with what you are doing? Which to me sounds like implying I haven't achieved anything (which is partly true) and that I am on the wrong track. I used to handle these things really poorly, it always got me feeling bad for a while. Nowadays I put that chip on my shoulder and go even harder, because I do believe that I can do this. It's like a dog on a leash, the harder you pull it backwards, the harder the dog pulls.
I am handling it by zoning it out, drown the negativity with positivity. Doesn't matter how, listen to Russ with volume on max, watch Gary Vee, read Think and Grow rich, talk to yourself. Just do whatever is necessary to not let any negative voice get into your operating system. Keep your eyes on your goals. Write them down every day, live them, say out loud your why, so you don't forget what you are doing it for. It doesn't matter what people think, it doesn't matter what other people do. You just focus on you, on your goals, on your work, on your life. You will see them at the finish line. Don't let anyone hold you back. Don't let your own fear hold you back. Just do.