Rejection sucks!
Nobody likes to be rejected, especially when you’re an overachiever/perfectionist like me. However, several recent rejections in my advocacy work opened my eyes to the truth about rejection.
Immediately following a rejection, it’s easy for questions like these to pop into your mind:
“Am I enough?”
“What is wrong with me?” or “What did I do wrong?”
“Will I ever get to where I want to be?”
“Should I just give up?”
As I opened up a recent email to find a rejection response from a partnership opportunity, my heart sank and my mind raced. All of those questions punched me right between the eyes.
I decided to let my husband know how bummed I was. I even wrote a strongly worded blog post, which was much different than the final copy you’re reading now. I embraced the emotions I felt and accepted that it’s okay to not be okay following a rejection. I am human after all!
Later, I spent time examining the situation and accepted that rejection is part of the process. Then, I thought about how successful past rejections turned out to be.
I’ve been rejected by other guys before, but that led me to an incredible marriage with Matt.
I’ve been rejected by other employers before, but now I have a job I am thankful for.
I’ve been rejected by agents and publishing companies, but now Starving for Survival is helping others.
I’ve been rejected by other collaboration and speaking opportunities, yet I look back and am damn proud of all I’ve accomplished in the last 18 months.
What I’m trying to say is today’s rejection is tomorrow’s success.
Returning to those questions that haunted me in the immediate aftermath of the rejection, I can confidently respond by saying:
I am enough.
There is nothing wrong with me and I did the best I could.
I might not be where I strive to be just yet, but I’m still in a damn good place.
I’m a fighter, a survivor, and a man on a mission.
Giving up ain’t happening!