WHAT? Rejected???  NOOOOOO!!!!!

Recently, I applied for a really big craft show.  Big like they get 10K apps and only take like 250ish people.  Big like 90K attendees!  I applied and was rejected.  Yes, it was a crazy long shot. I’d honestly prepared myself mentally for the rejection, but it still stinks.

I’ve put myself out there for some pretty wild things.  Some, I’ve succeeded big time!  Others, I have failed. The point is I tried.  Running a business you can’t just sit on the couch (no matter how comfy it may seem) and do nothing. Life is not meant to be played on the sidelines. You have to put yourself out there.  EVEN if it means running smack dab into a big ole rejection email, phone call, snail mail….whatever!  You have to do it.

In life, it totally sucks to be rejected. I could crawl into bed and not get out or go get drunk over sushi (I might do that anyway). I could just assume my work stinks and go back to work for the insurance industry (blah).  Yes, rejection is not easy, but rejection is not the end!

 Five Reasons why Rejection Makes you Better:

1. Rejection is an opportunity to do something different.

Often, you were rejected because there are better things planned for you instead.  If I had been accepted in this coveted craft fair, I was going to have to leave my family for 5 days. Leave them on their own to get to school, and feed themselves (Lord knows the hubby is lacking in the kitchen skills department). My poor dog would have no one to let her out during the day. The cost of the trip would have been enormous!  Instead, I am focusing on a different event here in town. I get to stay at home with my kiddos and still go do something fun.  When you get rejected, look for the good!  They say rejection is just God’s way of redirection.

2. Rejection is a reason to look at your work and your practices.

You know, you might just not be ready!  As a business and a person we all have to grow up.  You start small, and gain experience with each encounter you have. It’s okay to not be the very best.  We all start somewhere.  Babe Ruth had to pick up the bat for the first time.  Fake it until you make it, fake it until you become it, ask questions and learn so you can grow into it!  I took this rejection as an opportunity to look at how my website runs, what my brand says, and how I can make that better.

3. Rejection is final. Once you know there is no more waiting.

Ugh!  Waiting.  It’s the worst.  I refreshed my email, obsessively for days! It didn’t help the notifications came out a day late.  At least once you get the answer, you know.  No more waiting.  Yay!!!

4. Rejection is way better than regret.

How many times have you not done something (or done something…yikes) and then regretted it?  It can take years to get over regret but in comparison just a brief amount of time to get over rejection.  I’d rather drown my sorrows over a beer, then wonder what if for a year.

5. Rejection is the sour detour on the sweet road of success. Don’t let it be a road block.

In business especially, success is a long road.  Do not let rejection be a road block for you!  Carry on with your head held high. Just because you were told no doesn’t mean you are not on the right path. You just might have got there a bit too early or might need to do a few more things to continue with your journey.

With all that being said….was I sad? Yep! But, I know in my heart that show was not the one for me at this time.  We did go have sushi, sake, and beer though 😉 cheers!!! That made it all better.

I wish you the very best of luck with future rejections, hope you find the silver lining (it’s always there), and to continue down the path to success.  Would love to hear how you handle rejection.  Please leave me a comment below.  ♥