Dealing With Rejection
As human beings, rejection is something we all deal with from time to time. Whether it’s being denied for a job opportunity you thought you’d make a great fit for, being turned down by a relationship prospect you had your eye on, or being let go from a job that you put your all into, it happens and it is a part of life.
Many of the most successful people in the world at some point faced great rejection, loss, or tragedy. It were those failures, setbacks, and losses that helped propel them to the place they are today. In fact, some say that it is only the misfits that really have a chance. The more cleanly and neatly you fit into society, the less of a chance you really have.
As great as rejection can be in terms of long term success, it can also still be challenging to deal with in the short term. Sometimes it feels like you just keep trying, shooting, and going only to be turned down time after time. In this article I’d like to take a look at dealing with rejection, and how to move forward from it in a positive way.
All Good Things Must Come To An End
Sometimes what feels like a rejection is actually just one door coming to a close so that another one can open. You put your all into an interview process, and a letter finally comes back that the company has decided to go with a different applicant. At least you know the verdict. With that comes clarity, and the ability to brush yourself off and move on. Sometimes it’s better for things to work out that way rather than continue to stay attached to a position that probably wouldn’t have been right for you in the long run.
This is something I’ve had to deal with many times. Especially since graduating college, when job seeking became more of a priority. I can think of so many times where I went through the whole interview process, laid out my availability, and even submitted my Driver’s License and Social Security Numbers only to be informed that I was turned down just a short time later.
In cases like this, that’s where it becomes increasingly important not to get overly attached to outcomes and results. In those instances, I applauded myself for going out to sharpen my interview skills, expand my horizons, and give things a shot. When things didn’t work out, I just took it as “it wasn’t meant to be”. It is okay. There are other opportunities out there, and it may mean that there is something better in store.
Don’t Take It Personal
Unfortunately, we live in a world where things like jealousy and resentment can play into the way things work out. Everyone loves a brown-noser. Someone that will tell you what you want to hear, do what you want them to do, and put the needs of others above their own. Someone that will avoid stepping on the toes of others at all costs, and do anything to please the people around them. When you’re not one of these people, others may resent you for it.
In other cases, things might just truly not be the right fit. There may be someone else that was more qualified, experienced, or well-established. When you’re young and just starting out, this is often the case. Sometimes it takes a lot of “Nos” to get a “Yes”.
That’s where it becomes increasingly important to remain grateful for everything that you have. You might have a job and be fighting off the feeling that you can “do better” but the reality is that if you deserved better you would have better. The people that have “better” got it by earning it, not by complaining, whining, or making excuses. The best thing you can do is appreciate what you have and make strides with where you’re at.
Life Goes On
At the end of the day, whatever loss, rejection, or setback you may be experiencing will eventually pass. Life goes on. Other people, opportunities, and positions will come into place. New things will come to replace the old, and with so may come newfound appreciation and livelihood.
If you didn’t have to go through some sort of rejection or failure to get where you wanted, it wouldn’t feel as good when you finally get there. It’s the journey, the struggle, and the process that makes life so satisfying.
But, reaching destinations is a part of life as well. You’re not destined to stay running in place for your whole lifetime. Times of rejection will come around, but times of success and prosperity may be just around the corner.
Final Thoughts
The more you put yourself out there, the more you are likely to face rejection in one way or another. You work hard on a new song that you feel everyone will love, only to see that it hasn’t received any of the engagement you thought it would. The salesman knocks door to door only to walk away with no new sales leads for the day. It’s for this reason that many of the most successful businessmen learn to love rejection. They recognize that it is a part of the process, which ultimately means that they are profiting even off of the rejections.
When this is your mindset, you can almost never lose. The rejections will feel like successes. You will always feel like a winner, because you’re not afraid of rejection and you’re not afraid to try.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. As always, I thank you for reading, and look forward to seeing you on the next article. Have a great rest of your day.
