The loudest critics are usually in the stands, not on the field. Listen to the ones who’ve played.

Commentary is cheap, and people who have never attempted the thing produce most of it, because they risk nothing by being wrong. Somebody who has actually done it tends to be more careful, more specific and less certain. The confidence of a criticism often runs opposite to the experience behind it.

Before taking feedback to heart, ask whether that person has ever made something similar. Keep a short list of people whose opinion you have decided counts. Everything from outside that list can be noted and left where it is.