At 50 years of age, I've had my fair share of rejection. You know - that thing that can put you in an instant cold sweat or make you feel like you've just been sucker-punched. Yeah that.
But over time, I've come to appreciate the galvanizing force that rejection can be. It may not feel good and it's not always fair, but if you let it, rejection can become a game-changer for you.
I can't tell you how much I've grown emotionally and spiritually just by being willing to face rejection head-on. It's actually been completely liberating, and believe me, I never thought I'd say that.
Here are three cool things I've learned about rejection:
1. Rejection can sting, but it cannot kill. Life goes on even if the answer turns out to be 'No.' Later on, you may find this was the answer you really needed anyway.
2. Once you embrace it, rejection can keep you from wasting valuable time and help you become more purposeful.
3. Rejection can be a powerful motivator. It may be the push you need to finally face your fears and stop allowing opportunities to slip through your fingers. If you take the risk, you'll find that you truly have more going for you than you thought.
Simba, you are more than what you have become...
So go ahead. Ask the question. Make the pitch. Join the conversation. Submit the proposal. Have the audacity to ask for what you want!
As a friend so aptly reminded me not too long ago, "closed mouths don't get fed."
In the end, TRY counts more than the TRIUMPH.
As a bonus to your personal revolution, here's an awesome TEDTalk given by author and entrepreneur, Jia Jiang. What he learned from deliberately going through 100 days of rejection (yes, he actually did this) will TOTALLY reframe your thinking.
Much love,
Tracy
"You are D-Vine!"
