I think that having very high standards is one of the major requirements for achieving anything substantial or great.
It’d help with the issue you describe: if you’ve got very high standards, it’s about what you think is important, and whether you think you’ve done something worthwhile or not—you don’t care so much for pats on the back or attention from others.
As Steve Martin says “Be so good they can’t ignore you”.
[edit: changes to second paragraph]
I think that having very high standards is one of the major requirements for achieving anything substantial or great.
It’d help with the issue you describe: if you’ve got very high standards, it’s about what you think is important, and whether you think you’ve done something worthwhile or not—you don’t care so much for pats on the back or attention from others.
As Steve Martin says “Be so good they can’t ignore you”.