Rejection can really hurt. A close friend of mine recently pitched her business to a group of investors, and was turned down.
She was understandably disappointed. She wanted to use that money to grow her business, and saw immediate opportunities she wanted to jump on.
After we debriefed of that experience, we talked about the importance of bouncing back, of not allowing rejection to demotivate you.
You can waste a great deal of time that way. It makes it more difficult for you to come back and pitch again, in whatever form it takes, whether it's to a group of investors, prospects, clients or partners.
Bouncing back from rejection is a trait, a trait that can be learned. To help you build this trait, I'll share with you what I shared with her, this wisdom that I've learned about rejection:
1. Accept the rejection
It happened. Take it in and let it settle to the ground. Accepting reality in that particular moment sets the stage for you to recover.
2. Learn from it
What is the lesson to be learned? Here's what I asked my client: How well were you prepared? Did you present your argument and message clearly? Did you answer the questions in a way that fully reflected what you want to achieve? Be honest in your answers and you'll be able to move through the disappointment more quickly. Knowing the why behind the rejection can be valuable in your learning, so ask, politely and respectfully.
3. Apply what you learn
Put that honest knowledge, to good use. What can I do differently next time? What will I continue to do? Learn consciously and you'll be able to take what you learn and do better when you know better, to paraphrase Maya Angelou.
4. Keep going
When impact is your focus, persist. When your end game is to make the world a better place for all of us, keep going. Show enthusiasm that can't be overlooked. Have focus that can't easily be broken. Be relentless and continue to contribute.
5. Believe, Always
Stay true to your Purpose, that statement of your desired impact on the highest level. Keep believing in something bigger than yourself.
You may have already noticed that this process of recovering from a disappointment and bouncing back requires a fine balance. A balance between letting go and persevering. You have to be able to do both. That's part of your growth. We're all forever growing, if we choose to pursue impact; as well as stick to it.
All of us experience rejection if we are out in the world at all. Your dream of impacting others deserves to be out in the world, and so in life, many times you will find your ideas and actions rejected. Build your Tiger like resilience so you can bounce back from rejection and have the impact you and your business can have.
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