Rejection is Redirection
Many of us have probably experienced some form of rejection in our lifetime. Whether that be receiving a rejection letter from a coveted academic institution, or simply being left unanswered by professors after sending a hopeful email. There’s no question that rejection hurts. Even when you might be expecting it, there’s still that little glimmer of hope that sits inside of you, wishing for that one desire to come true.
But we’re not here to tell you that rejection is inevitable. Rather, we want to emphasize that while rejection may result in the loss of a single opportunity, it’s a chance for redirection—opening the doors to a million other bigger and better opportunities. Rejection is not the be-all and end-all. It’s what you take away from the rejection, and how you act on it, that will truly empower you as you continue with your endeavors. That being said, we would like to present a few pieces of advice that may help you overcome a fear of rejection, as well as beneficial strategies to navigate one.
Typically, there are two different approaches to mentally processing failure or rejection: internalizing and externalizing the experience. When we search for an internal source or reason for rejection, it may become easy to critique ourselves in overly harsh ways. This also presents the issue of failing to recognize other factors that may have contributed to the present situation, and may result in a pessimistic mindset. Conversely, if we solely blame external factors for rejection, we may miss out on key learning opportunities that would allow us to improve our skills for next time. The key to mastering the art of dealing with rejection in a healthy and productive way is to find the balance between these two approaches.
There are several reasons as to why individuals might be afraid of being rejected. It could be related to maintaining one’s self-worth or wanting to avoid the pain that’s associated with a rejection. Nevertheless, this fear is what can end up deterring us from reaching out to others or accomplishing our dreams. So, to combat this mental game, we must first learn to shift our mindset. By this, we mean trying to perceive rejection in an optimistic light, which can help you gain confidence in similar situations later in life. Avoiding the unpleasant feelings of a rejection will only lead to increased fear and sensitivity, so it’s necessary to be able to confront your emotions head on. To do so, one must learn to take control of your emotions, and not let your negative thoughts overwhelm your headspace. Additionally, you can come to recognize that the idea of possibly being rejected is not as anxiety-inducing as it may seem, once you begin to see the positive outcomes of taking risks. Most importantly, experience will help you cultivate resilience, as you bounce back and try again, with a greater sense of yourself.
Since rejection is a normal occurrence that we’ll all encounter time and time again, it’s important to learn how to deal with getting rejected and processing our feelings. Self-compassion and self-care are essential in nourishing a growth mindset. The better we take care of ourselves, the more prepared we can be to take on challenges that might otherwise cause us to feel intimidated or overwhelmed. This can be put into practice through activities such as writing in a journal or taking time out of your day to indulge in your hobbies. We should recognize that everyone is on a different timeline, and that our rejections and failures do not define us. Taking risks is no easy feat, and we should applaud ourselves for being courageous enough to venture outside of our comfort zone for the sake of self-improvement. These unique opportunities for personal reflection should not be taken for granted. Comparing our progress to that of others would serve us no good, and would only distract us from appreciating our own journey. Identifying areas of improvement and ways in which we can transform rejection into a learning opportunity will help us develop the necessary skills for personal growth—both mentally and practically. It’s true that rejection can be difficult to overcome, but never impossible. As long as you never give up, you’ll be astonished by where your perseverance and determination can take you.
The next time you are faced with a “no” or “sorry”, think about these strategies as you redirect yourself. Everyone is capable of achieving their goals, it’s just a matter of your own mindset and resilience that will propel you in your pursuit of success! And remember, always be kind to yourself.
Your Healthcare Prospectives Team
