Few persons have sufficient wisdom to prefer censure which is useful to them to praise which deceives them.

Useful criticism and flattering praise feel very different in the moment, and the feeling is the opposite of the value. Praise that is not accurate leaves you exactly where you were while making you feel better about being there. Criticism that is accurate stings and then moves you. Almost everyone chooses the first, not from vanity exactly, but because the second means sitting with being wrong for a while.

Notice who you go to after a piece of work and why. If it is always the encouraging one, add a second reader whose job is to tell you what is not working, and thank them without arguing the first time.