First off, you have plenty of potential. Give it 2 months and you'll see.

As for the negative comments, it is very easy to say just "ignore them". But not so easy to do. You need to understand that you are currently hypersensitive to criticism, because there are doubts about the beard in your head already. It does not take a lot for many first timers to let the negative comments get to them. For us veterans, we know that most people that say those things are not necessarily commenting about the beard itself, but rather the transformation.

If you understand a few of things, it'll help you navigate through the negativity.

1. Most people are not nearly as concerned about your beard as you are. In other words, they might make a flippant remark not realizing how sensitive you are to it.

2. Many people would make a negative comment no matter how good your beard is or how good it looks on you. They simply hate all beards.

3. Friends and family that make comments are often really commenting that they don't like the change, but like the "old you". Understand that in time, they will probably gets used to the new you and perhaps even like it, but initially they will resist the change.

Stay strong and do your best not to let the negative comments get to you. If someone says something, simply say "thanks for the feedback. I'm gonna keep it for awhile and see how it turns out". If they persist, then it crosses over into being rude. And for rude people you need to simply tell them that their feedback is no longer appreciated and would rather they keep their comments to themselves from now on.

Patience shall be rewarded!

New beard growers: Check out the Rules of Beard Acquisition.
To upload and post pictures, here is a tutorial.
Do you believe in these Common Beard Myths?