No. Nope. Nein. Whether it’s for a pitch, a job, or a date, we’ve all gotten (and done) our fair share of rejection. While it generally doesn’t feel good, getting your requests denied may have a positive effect. Here are 6 ways rejection can be good for you.
Drives Creativity
When your first idea gets rejected, you are pushed to think of other ways to get what you want. For example, you might get your first pitch idea rejected by a potential client – but that doesn’t mean you’re going to give up on that account. You go back to the drawing board, brainstorm on new ideas and find new solutions.
Reevaluate Your Goals
Other than pushing you to be creative, getting rejected also opens up the opportunity for you to regroup, reevaluate and refocus your goals. For example, not getting that job promotion might help you reevaluate your career satisfaction and fit – leading you to be more mindful in your career development.
Builds Resilience
Some types rejection can be hurtful, while others can be outright devastating. We’ve all been there. Imagine spending an insane amount of time sending resumes, unreturned emails, and yet not landing a job can be one of the worst rejection experiences. Though frustrating, it helps to build resilience and to keep moving (cause there are bills to pay!). You may not get what you want right away, but if you’re willing to work hard and be patient, you will eventually find yourself where you want to be.
Pushes You To Self Improve
For many of us, getting rejected creates a certain self-awareness. As you discover ways to get to your end goal, you would also be discovering the areas for self improvement. If it’s a social rejection, you might want to remove some undesired traits or do more of what people love about you. Alternatively, you can check out Udemy if you find yourself looking for courses to improve your skills.
It Can Be Humbling
Getting what you want all the time might create an inaccurate sense of one’s own importance in the larger scheme of things. While rejection ultimately doesn’t feel good, everyone could use a little humbling experience to remind us that we’re all only human – no matter how extraordinary the things we’ve done.
You Read Other Humans Better
For those who experience rejection more often than others (such as cold calling!), they tend to look out for signs of affirmation more. You might notice details such as a pause that’s just a second longer (to signify interest for you to go on), or constant eye contact, or even a slight change in tone during conversations that most of us might let go unnoticed. With that said, rejection helps you to pick up on signs and read people better so as to react accordingly.
