Don't let the external defeat in internal
For many times I was laughed at, not believed in, but you know what, nothing external can defeat the internal. The only thing that can shake someone down or break you down is internal. Nothing external is strong enough. Is just about making sure that you internal dialogue and belief in your self is strong enough that it can withstand the external.
Your example
Genius is 1 % inspiration, 99% perspiration.
A successful life is one that is lived through understanding and pursuing one's own path, not chasing after the dreams of others.
Years ago, in a motivational seminar by the master, Zig Ziglar, I heard a story about how mediocrity will sneak up on you. The story goes that if you drop a frog into boiling water, he will sense the pain and immediately jump out. However, if you put a frog in room-temperature water, he will swim around happily, and as you grad-ually turn the water up to boiling, the frog will not sense the change. The frog is lured to his death by gradual change. We can lose our health, our fitness, and our wealth gradually, one day at a time. It might be a cliché, but that's because it is true: The enemy of "the best" is not "the worst." The enemy of 'the best" is "just fine."
…I think everybody should get rich and famous, and do everything they ever dreamed of, so they can see that it’s not the answer…