Dealing With Rejection — Your Attitude and Mindset Matters
Converting rejection to opportunity
A stepping stone
I had suffered a miscarriage.
To my mind, it is one of the worst forms of rejection. There were two choices — to bawl endlessly or use it to my advantage. I chose the latter which made all the difference in my life.
Rejection is not the end; it is the beginning of something to get ahead of the pack, be superior, or become powerful. It isn’t a stop sign; it’s a redirection toward something different and better.
Look around you. Rejection happens often in life.
- A job application.
- A project proposal.
- A romantic overture.
- A manuscript submission. (Rowling is a glaring example)
What’s the reason?
Women often tend to ask this question — “Is it me?”
Nope. It is not always you. Stop beating yourself.
In this post, I will discuss how you can convert rejection into opportunity like me.
Convert rejection to opportunity.
My job application has been rejected quite a few times. My sales pitches tanked. A handful of article submissions were repeatedly rejected. There have been quite a few setbacks.
Women in their 30s to 60s, in comparison to men, are often overlooked for promotion, plum projects, and higher compensation. Should these women solely blame themselves? Should they stop trying, and striving? Should they give up and do something else?
Hell no!
Rejection is not a dead end; it’s a bend in the road. It is time to get clinical. If you wish to navigate the bend, you must know the following:
- What is the underlying reason for rejection?
- How do I use it to my benefit?
- Why should I overcome it?
Your ability to take rejection as an opportunity is instrumental in rebuilding your resilience.
#1 Critical reasoning — Identifying common reasons for rejection
Let’s face it; any rejection stings. But if we dissect it, we can learn valuable lessons.
Why do you face rejection?
a) It often comes down to mismatched expectations
Say you are pitching your business as a social enterprise, but the investor is interested in investing in an innovative firm.
One of my submissions was rejected because I couldn’t align it with the publication’s submission guidelines.
b) The two entity’s goals are divergent
Your romantic overture might be rejected because you seek commitment while the other wants a no-strings-attached interaction.
c) It’s simply bad timing
Your job application might be rejected because the interviewers found the previous person the right match and made the offer.
Identifying these factors provides clarity, helping you refine your approach.
>>> What are my options?
- Stop blaming yourself.
- Learn to let go of uncontrollable factors.
- Reflect on the rejection with an open mind.
- Identify the areas where you can improve and adjust your strategy accordingly.
#2 Lateral thinking — Scope for self-development
Yes, rejection can be difficult to absorb, but sometimes, it IS you.
A rejection might be the reflection of a weakness. Lack of skill. Inadequacy of desired experiences.
The manuscript that got rejected did have some flaws. If you were overlooked for a promotion, maybe, you have lesser experience.
Look at it this way. Rejection is a type of feedback. Harsh but true.
>>> What should you do?
Embracing rejection as feedback is a direct path to self-improvement, guiding us toward becoming the best versions of ourselves.
- Figure out what’s in your control.
- Use it as a launchpad to a new possibility.
- Analyze what you can learn from the rejection.
- Should you sign up for a skill enhancement course?
- Should you take up additional projects to gain more exposure?
- Do you need specific training to reinforce your existing capabilities?
Whether it’s enhancing your skills, expanding your knowledge, or building resilience, rejection is a powerful catalyst for growth. Let it fuel your determination to become better, both personally and professionally.
#3 Breakthrough — Shift in perspective
Rejection has an advantage.
It can lead us to unexpected opportunities. The key lies in perspective. A simple, deliberate realignment of mindsets can unlock hidden potential, setting us onto uncharted yet exciting paths far beyond our limiting imagination.
Suppose your business proposal is rejected. You can seek out a synergizing partner to seed your venture. Alternatively, you might seek the help of a business coach to refine your business offering and elevator pitch.
If your feelings go unreciprocated, it’s an indication to relook your choices and preferences.
>>> What you should do
- Seek feedback from your acquaintances and well-wishers.
- Keep your eyes open for new opportunities.
- Reinvent your action plan or strategy.
An encouraging takeaway
Rejection takes shape as a turned-down invitation, a disinterested glance in a crowded room, or the fading affection of a once-close friend.
It may be a publisher’s rejection letter for the aspiring author, the rejection of a loan application for a hopeful entrepreneur, or unrequited love.
Each such instance affects us. It challenges our faith, resolve, and sense of self-worth. Rejection is a test of our character. Sometimes, as you age, handling rejections might become difficult. In those moments, you need to gather yourself and fight back.
How you react to rejection determines how your future will pan out.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.~ Robert Frost
Ipshita Guha is an ambivert. She aspires to be a ghostwriter for SMB owners. She hopes to vicariously live the second half of her life through those exciting lives. She also writes about other stuff on Medium, LinkedIn, Twitter, and her website.
