Dealing with Rejection

No matter what career you’ve chosen or what industry you work in, encountering rejection is completely normal—it’s a part of life. Whether you haven’t been accepted to university, didn’t get the job you wanted, or a customer didn’t buy the product or service you were offering, these rejections all come with valuable lessons.

Let’s use the example of being told “no” by a customer. How did it make you feel at the time? Offended, embarrassed, frustrated, disappointed? These are all normal reactions, but the key is how you respond to them.

For some, these feelings are so uncomfortable that they start avoiding similar situations altogether—and that can be detrimental, especially if you’re working toward goals like financial freedom or building multiple income streams through a business or extra income source.

Instead, it’s important to acknowledge these emotions and reflect on what you can do differently to change the outcome. There’s no shame in feeling ‘negative’ emotions like fear, anxiety, or embarrassment—in fact, they signal that you’re pushing beyond your comfort zone. That’s fantastic, because real growth lives there.

Remember the quote: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be where you’ve always been.” If you’re meeting rejection with the same approach every time, you’ll likely keep getting the same result. The only way to turn that “no” into a “yes” is to change your strategy.

So think: could you build stronger relationships from the outset? Tailor your pitch more personally? Could you test a different angle or communication style? Try as many new approaches as you can—and track what gets results. Whether it’s pitching to clients, applying for jobs, or networking to find new ways of generating an extra income source, this mindset matters.

The most important part is this: don’t let rejection stop you. Perseverance is what gets you the outcome you want. I like to use the analogy of a nagging toddler—when they want a sweet or a toy, do they stop after the first “no”? Absolutely not. They ask again, and again, and again—until someone says “yes.”

So if someone tells you “no,” don’t hear “no forever”—hear “no for now.” People’s circumstances change, and so will your approach. Be persistent, be adaptable, and most importantly, keep showing up.

Rejection builds resilience—and resilience is a powerful tool, whether you’re chasing your dream job or working toward financial freedom through multiple income streams. Embrace it, learn from it, and keep moving forward.

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