In the absence of those, it helps to keep the goal clearly in your awareness. Have strength and confidence as you move forward. Have strategies for dealing with obstacles along the way. As you already know, there may be people out there who will try to deter you. They may try to get you to do what they want you to.
Chances are they gain in some way - if only in terms of feeling in control or being right.
Keep in mind that this is your life, not theirs, and you're entitled to live it in a meaningful and satisfying way. As a single parent, Marsha was trying to give her children the support and nourishment they needed to do well in school and sports. It sounded so cold, she thought. After getting clear that having a happy family was most meaningful to her, she realized that she was allowing herself to be distracted from achieving what she wanted most. That, plus earning a living takes all of my energy.