How to Handle Rejection as an Entrepreneur
Last week I spoke at the Girlfriends and Champagne Women's Empowerment Brunch. One of the main topics of conversation centered around the big R word. We all hate it. We all don't want it. We all wish we'd never have to experience it. And yet... We all do.
Rejection.
It comes in many forms. Often, we encounter it in the form of a "NO!" It's almost unavoidable, especially as an entrepreneur. And let's get real, it doesn’t feel good. But accept it we must... So, how do we do that?
How do we get over hearing the word NO and keep it moving after we are rejected.
So here are 3 tips to help.
Prepare for it. I'm not saying have this expectation that everyone is going to say NO to you - because that's just the worst mindset to have. What I mean is, have strategies in place so that a NO doesn't stop your flow. For example, I'm currently working on getting a literary agent. Now, I know that not EVERYONE I email my book proposal to will say yes. So, my strategy is to not have all my eggs in one basket. I plan to send it to several DOZEN agents. If you have a plan or a project that you want to deploy, be prepared to have multiple conversations with multiple people. Someone is bound to see you vision and get on board.
It's ok to feel into it... But the lifespan of your feelings matter. When we are rejected, it hurts. And when that perceived rejection comes from someone we have a personal relationship with, it hurts even more. But successful people don't dwell too long. They aren't out in the streets for weeks on end in their feelings, glorifying the struggle of rejection. You're human. And that's good. Allow yourself time to do what you need to do to get over the rejection, but don't let it linger longer than it needs to.
The biggest tip of all. If you get this, you will never ever feel rejected again. Understand that this concept of rejection is just a storyline, not a permanent state of being. A "no" from one person, is not a "no" from all people. And the truth is, rejection is only rejection when you decide it is. When someone says no, it means only means that, in this particular instance, it is not in your best interest. And something better is on the way! When you learn to look at it like that, you realize all of the NO's are actually working in your favor to get you one step closer to that yes!
All that to say, rejection is not the end of the line. It is simply a part of the process. I know that it's not the fun part, but I also know that it can make you stronger and add more fuel to your entrepreneurial fire! We are cheering you on!
Have you ever experienced rejection? What are some ways you handle it?
