Does it really matter what other people think? I have been put down most of my life and it has taken years to find my own worth. I lacked confidence and because of that never really found my feet. I did not have a very happy working life and maybe I took off more than I could chew but maybe that was a learning curve and I may have progressed a lot more than if my life had been a complete success.
Nobody ever makes a success of their own life if they habitually make life harder for the people they work or live with, the happy and successful person brings out the best in other people. I was confident and worked well with those who treated me with respect because I did not feel undermined.