The artist soon sees that the only voice worth embracing is the muse. Learn your field, of course. Excel in domain knowledge. Have empathy for your customers, and care deeply about how your work will affect them. Yes, yes, and yes. But . . . But make what you will make. Not in anticipation of or dependence on the applause of others, and not because you are totally entangled in the results. No, make it because you are committed to making it. The commitment works because you can be sure of your intent, sure of your skills, and sure of your compassion for those who will encounter what you make.
