I am making no assumptions, I am only basing this on my determination to succeed - which is driven in many ways by people consistently telling me I won't
Ah, yes, I know that one!
Former employer, when I explained I'd be taking some time off to go on a CPL ground school course: "Oh don't be silly, Whirly, of course you're not going to be a professional helicopter pilot".
It spurred me on to prove 'em all wrong too.
But make sure that's not the only reason...though it doesn't sound like it is. What other people think doesn't matter at all, and shouldn't affect us either way.