Constructive criticism can be very helpful, provided it comes from the right party. By “right party,” I’m referring to people whom you respect and who truly have your best interest at heart — in which case it would be more appropriate to refer to their comments as “constructive advice.”

Constructive advice from the right party can be invaluable to you over the long term, while ill-intended criticism from the wrong party can do more to tear you down, damage your self-esteem, and prevent you from actively pursuing your dreams than just about anything else imaginable.

As such, make it a point to be selective about the people from whom you accept criticism or advice.