A Writer's Notebook, Day Nine-Hundred-And-Eighty-Four

I often have a lot of positive support from people in terms of my writing.  In groups of writers, I always have a sense that my work is respected, and when I discuss the projects I am pitching, the response is usually quite favorable, even from those in the industry.  I've had several agents turn down my first novel with comments indicating that they believe it to be valid and ready, but are not certain they would be the right person.  In one case, I had a full request in which the agent made clear to me that they had read the entire book, but still declined.  When I talk about this, people tell me that agents never read a full book unless they are interested in representing it, so I take it as a positive sign.  Perhaps it was just impossible for her not to finish it, or I can hope so.  I don't say any of this to brag, as it is all rather insignificant in any real sense.  I've nothing to show for it, no results, no professional accomplishments.  But this is, in many ways, the frustration.  I believe in the work, not just the novel itself (I know that agenting a novel, let alone getting it published, can take a long while and many rejections), but with all my work.  I need a sense of making progress, of advancing in terms of getting closer to my goals.  How am I intended to remain sane when I am told that I am doing the right things, am doing good work, and still can't get anywhere?