Rejection is part of life, especially in business. Regardless of how often you’ve been told no, it still stings.
No, we can’t lend you money.
No, we won’t sell your product.
No, we don’t have time to hear your pitch.
No, we hired someone else.
An interesting statistic from Harvard Business School states that if you’re an entrepreneur and your start-up fails, your chances of success increase significantly on the next try. The reasoning is that the more you hear no, the more savvy you become in dealing with investors and/or business leaders. You’ll learn how to choose the right people to talk to and ask for specific feedback to help you in the future.
Recalibrating your mindset to expect and accept no’s softens the blow until you hear a yes, which takes mindful practice. What can you do when you’ve heard no repeatedly?
Don’t Take it Personally
It sounds easier said than done, but shaking it off before it gets inside your head is possible. You may never know why your idea was turned away or why you were passed up for a job. But chances are that it had nothing to do with you. It could be a timing or budgeting issue, or something internally within the organization. Their rejection is out of your control, but your response is within your control. Don’t let rejection define you; focus on your strengths and achievements and keep going.
Let it Fuel Your Fire
Naysayers will tell you everything you don’t want to hear, but you don’t have to let their opinions sway you. It’s okay (and even recommended) to seek sound advice from people you respect to ensure you’re on the right track. Once you’ve vetted your goals as realistic ones, you can use every rejection to double down on your vision.
Each Rejection is One Step Closer to Success
You can’t beat someone who doesn’t quit. Consider that hearing no can mean “not now” instead of “not ever.” If you received feedback from the organization, you can use it to identify your blind spots. Each rejection gives you a chance for reevaluation to look inside yourself. Maybe you need to reconsider your pitch or rethink a better way to help your customers win. Hearing no hones your skills towards getting a yes.
Remember that although rejection is hard to endure, you’re working towards something meaningful. Sarah Blakely, founder of Spanx, was rejected for years before Spanx took the market by storm. Famed Harry Potter author JK Rowling was repeatedly rejected before getting published. Think about how many people won’t leave their comfort zone for fear of failure. Remind yourself that, thankfully, you’re not one of them.
Photo Credits: Energepic.com, Pexels
