How to deal with rejection the easy way

No one likes to be rejected, but it is a common experience in life, whether it be in relationships, work, or personal pursuits. What matters is how we deal with it. Here are three steps to help you handle rejection in the future:

Step 1: Allow yourself to feel your emotions. It’s okay to feel disappointed, angry, or sad. Recognise that these feelings are normal and valid. However, don’t let them consume you. Set a time limit for these emotions and then move on. I usually give myself 30 minutes to process minor negative feelings and that works for me. How long you need is a very individual thing. During my 30 minutes I reflect on what caused me to feel that way and what I can do going forwards to make life better for me and those around me.

Step 2: Learn from rejection. Use rejection as an opportunity to learn and grow. Ask for feedback and try to understand why you were rejected. Use this information to improve yourself and your approach. Remember that rejection doesn’t define who you are or your true worth. When we are rejected – it simply means that something bigger/better is waiting for you. As an example, years ago when I was house hunting – every property I put an offer in for ended up being rejected even though my offer was higher than the competition. the house I ended up finding was far superior than the 5 previous houses that I thought I had lost.

Step 3: Keep going. Don’t let rejection discourage you from pursuing your goals and dreams. Keep pushing forward and don’t give up on yourself. Remember that rejection is part of the process and everyone experiences it. Stay positive and persevere. Colonel Sanders (KFC Founder) recipe was rejected over 1,000 times before he got his first ‘Yes’. Imagine being rejected that many times and still having the will to move forward (and he was already 62 years young)!

Learning to handle rejection in a healthy and productive way is of the utmost importance. The first 22 years of my life were rife with rejection. If I had given up, you wouldn’t be reading this article right now. I would probably still be earning minimum wage in a job that doesn’t fulfil me they the work I do now does.

Remember, rejection is not the end of the road, but rather a detour on your journey to achieving your dreams. If rejection is getting the better of you and you feel like giving up – reach out for some Zen-Inspiration.

To your success,

Andre Zen