Have you ever filled out an application, applied for a position or set out to accomplish something and been told by the people in your life phrases like, "there's no way you won't get it" or "you are the perfect person for that, don't worry"? Well, this happens to me all the time. While applying for this dream position you feel confident and poised knowing people believe in you and support your endeavors. But what happens when you get your rejection letter, email or phone call and all of a sudden you feel worthless? You had your hopes up and now feel like you have let those who believe in you down.
People tell me all the time that I have my life together and can accomplish almost everything I set my mind to. What most people don't know about me is that I get rejected all the time. How I have learned to deal with this rejection is what reaffirms my determination and relinquishes any self-doubts I may have.
Rejection letter after rejection letter I have quickly learned that just because I may not be the best person for a particular role, does not mean I am not good enough. It just means that there was someone who fit the mold of the role better than I did. So when people tell me that I can do whatever I set my mind to it is true because even when faced with rejection I set my sights on the next goal at hand and make the decision to move forward and begin to take the necessary steps towards accomplishing that goal.
Life is always in flux and we have to be flexible. There is absolutely no point in dwelling on the past and feeling like you don't deserve the very best for yourself. When faced with rejection be proud of yourself for trying. You went for it and you took the time to put your best foot forward. Just because you did not succeed does not mean you have to take a step back. Keep taking strides in the right direction by believing that there is a better opportunity to be had in your future.
With that being said, do not feel like you can't let your emotions show and face your feelings in the moment. I am an emotional person and keeping my feelings bottled up has never done me any good. It is acceptable to cry. Many times in order to move on I have to truly live in the moment and let my emotions flow and escape from my mind and body in order to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. The emotions I feel lead to memories that I don't wish to make more of. I know that I don't want to feel this way again so I will do everything I can to avoid being faced with dealing with the emotions associated with rejection.
The bottom line is that rejection cannot truly be avoided and should not be pushed aside when it happens. Face rejection and your emotions head on and when you move past your initial negative thoughts you will have learned another lesson and made yourself a stronger and smarter person for being able to come out on top. Think positively and believe in yourself and you will always be able to accomplish what you set your mind to. It may not be the position or role you originally thought was perfect for you, but it will be the role that you deserve because you were strong and smart enough to keep going when faced with the challenge to accept the circumstances and move forward more determined than ever. I will leave you with this quote which is a shining example that rejection is not a deal breaker, but truly a motivator to take the steps to succeed.
"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot...and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." —� Michael Jordan"
