10 things to tell yourself when rejected
After a week of receiving multiple rejections (or no thanks), I thought I’d write a post on what to do when rejection knocks on your door or lands in your email or mailbox. You get the idea. You can run but you can’t hide. We all get news that we wish was otherwise at some point. It’s what we do as a next step that demonstrates our resiliency and contributes to our success.
10 things to tell yourself when rejected:
As Iyanla Vanzant said, this too shall pass. Meaning the disappointment will dull with time. The sun does actually come out tomorrow. Cue smile!
After you finish thinking about how you’re the cat’s meow, tell yourself it’s time to find the lesson for each rejection. Do a lessons learned reflection and document what you’ll do differently next go round. It’s entirely possible, you didn’t put your best effort forward. Learn from that truth and move forward.
Not everyone is ready for your brilliance. Timing is key, Try again. Kudos to the Conference Organizers who say no thanks but try again next year. Thanks! I will!
Can’t quote Momma B enough, nothing beats a failure like a try. Remove the word failure and insert rejection. Repeat after me, nothing beats a rejection like another try!
This is a good time to read or start that success log that outlines all your successes. I do it on a yearly basis. Reminders about past wins automatically boost your self-confidence and provides evidence to stay the course.
There’s more fish in the sea. Time to go fishing or learn if you don’t know how. Keep moving! Keep searching until you find your groove. Probably shouldn’t say this but I will anyway. Stella found hers so why can’t you? Comment if you need to know who Stella is!
Where can I find a mentor to help me with this? If this is something you truly want, find someone who’s done it successfully and ask for their guidance.
The mind is a terrible thing to waste. Educate thyself. Similar to #8 but on a broader scale, find out what education is available to bolster your capabilities. Perhaps a Mastermind Group is in order to shine a light on opportunities to differentiate yourself.
As Viola Davis said in the movie “The Help”, “you is smart”. . . Never forget that! You will find your tribe.
As Don Miguel Ruiz said, don’t take it personally. We all have a choice when we’re shopping. We buy what meets our needs and works with our budget.
What are your strategies for dealing with rejection? I’d love to hear it. Be sure to comment. We’re in this together and can learn from one another.