There are more opportunities to be rejected than there are to be accepted. The earlier you realize this in life, and the fact that it’s not a bad thing, the better off you’ll be. However, just because rejection is inevitable, it doesn’t mean that it’s the only other option.

When I think of this idea, I often think of the phrase, “if you can’t join em...beat em.” This phrase is really powerful to me because it makes me realize a few things. One, there is nothing wrong with joining something great. You should always give a chance to joining something that helps you toward your goals. You can learn SO much from other people who have gone further than you have. Joining things gives you the opportunity to learn and have a chance to network and work your way up as a leader within that organization. You can be a leader while still joining the creations of others.

Leadership is a tangible term.

But what if you want them and they don’t want you back? That, my friend, is called your life. And in your life, you will have doors closing because no matter how much you struggle to open them, they’re not meant for you. Embrace what’s not in your control. Because if you couldn’t join them, and you still want to move in the direction you wanted…

Then you gotta beat them.

When I say this I’m not talking about competition. There is enough room for everyone to be successful if they want to be. I’m talking about beating the rejection. Rise above the idea that certain people don’t want you, and take it as an opportunity to realize maybe it’s because you wouldn’t work well with them. If you did, then they would’ve been all for taking you under their wing. But maybe the reason they didn’t is because they knew you were too great to fit under theirs, and they feared someday being under yours.

Take charge of your own life.

If you don’t like something, speak up and change it. Or when it comes to accomplishing goals, stay low and crush it. Either way, don’t take no for an answer. Listen to your gut feeling about whether something is right. Take more chances to face rejection. And don’t be afraid because on the off-chance you are rejected, now you take control over it yourself.