You are in your own race. Make your own rules.

When I was at a race recently, I passed a guy on the run who was doing well, but just wasn’t going at the pace I was going. He cheered me on and said, “You started later than I did, so you’re even farther ahead of me than you seem.” I called out to him, “We are all in our own race.” The longer I am a writer, the more I believe this is true. You can’t compare yourself to other writers or to other people in any aspect of life. When I race, I don’t compete against the other people in the race. I compete against myself, and that’s the only real satisfaction I get from racing. If I take a few seconds off my best time, I am a winner, no matter how many people beat me. And if I didn’t, then I feel frustrated, even if I came in first place.

If people around you are actively pointing out your flaws and chortling over them, or are sneering at you for your failures, well—I would say you need to avoid these people as much as you possibly can. If you can’t manage that, then try making a list of mental illnesses that they need to be medicated for. They are sick, sick people. Feel sorry for them rather than feeling angry at them, because anger takes up too much energy. But whatever you do, don’t let them set your agenda for success in life.