Inner-anchored

If your peace lives in another man's mouth, he owns you.

An anchored man keeps his center inside himself. Praise does not inflate him. Criticism does not capsize him. The weather changes; the anchor does not.

Most men outsource their mood to the last opinion they heard. A compliment makes the day; a slight ruins the week. The anchored man has pulled that cord back inside. He hears the praise, weighs it, sets it down. He hears the insult, checks it for truth, keeps what is useful, discards the rest. He is not numb. He is rooted. There is a difference, and you can see it under pressure.

The Stoic source

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.3

For nowhere either with more quiet or more freedom from trouble does a man retire than into his own soul ... Constantly then give to thyself this retreat, and renew thyself.

Translated by George Long

The Scripture

Psalm 1:3, KJV

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The move

Notice one piece of praise you want to chase and one criticism you want to flee. Do neither. Weigh both once, then let them go.