You cannot and should not try to please everyone. Make sure that the right people like you, and it will be expected that others will not. That's how the world works.

Success comes from doing what you enjoy. If you don't enjoy it, how can it be called success?

The noble path does win but only if you are prepared to make the investment over a long period of time.

Focus on being the best you can at what you want to do.

When did you feel most fulfilled? When did you impress yourself, or otherwise feel most proud of yourself?

More than any other factor, it is the people we have to deal with that determine the quality of our work lives.

No one can manage you if you don't give them permission to do so. But if you are interested in accomplishing as much as you are capable of, then I believe there are good reasons to grant that permission.