This goes hand in hand with listening before you speak. If there is someone that is offering you advice shut up and listen. Sorry for being harsh you have to realize that there are people who know more then you. Especially when they are critiquing your work. Do your best to put your ego aside and learn from them.
I advise you to try this for at least 30 days that when you talk with people whom are in your profession and or not in your profession to just listen to them. But of course contributing to the conversation will help and make things go better. You will be surprised at how much people will tell you if you just simply ask them.
Design and calligraphy 