Paranoia is not just a Harvey Danger song. . .

I hate that I allow comments by others to send me into a downward spiral. I have been working very hard over the last two weeks to make sure I am at work every day and to do a better job. My boss called me into his office and said that he had noticed the improvement and for me to keep it up. I did not take it as a compliment. I took it as, "there has been improvement, but it is still not good enough." Was that what he intended, or did I turn something negative that was meant as a positive? Either way, I can't be so dependent on the approval of others for my self esteem. I need to believe in myself and know that I am going a good job and let that be enough.