None of us likes being rejected. We often take it personally. If we get rejected, we often feel like we are a complete and utter failure, even when they are only criticizing one small aspect of us. If we took a step back, we could ask ourselves if there’s anything we can learn from the rejection.
I place rejection in two categories, the first is someone who rejects us where it has nothing to do with us. There are those people who display their power every chance they get, and offering a negative critique is part of their arsenal. Unfortunately, we have to take this type of rejection for what it is; someone on a power trip and you’re the target. Ignore these people and their comments. It’s better to take feedback from people you trust anyway.
The other type of rejection is truly constructive criticism. It’s a rejection, but there’s something in the feedback that you can work with. This type of rejection can help us grow as a person and grow our skills. Often it takes time though for us to hear the true value of what was said. It’s normal to discredit their feedback with a comment like, “that person doesn’t know what they’re talking about.”
We don’t want to admit that the person who rejected us was right. But, it’s extremely important to examine what they’re saying about your skills or efforts. Take a look at it from their point of view. I remember when I had a screenplay of mine read by a professional. During our hour-long session my coach kept going over things that were weak in my script. It was hard to hear, but after a day or two I realized what she was telling me was helpful. It made me a better writer and it made the script stronger, so much so that it went on to take second place in a screenwriting competition.
If your work is rejected, look for the opportunity to get something out of it. Sometimes you get turned down for a job without any feedback. If there’s something in the back of your mind that you could have done better, make sure that next time you correct it.
Learn from the feedback people give you. It’ll help make you a stronger more well-equipped version of yourself.
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