Eat More Rejection Pie

rejected
Author

Ebonie-Marche Jones

Release Date

Monday, August 15, 2011

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Anthony Coleman stated, "If you're not rejected ten times a day, you're not trying hard enough." The first time I read this quote, it really got me thinking. For me, being rejected ten times per day seemed excessive, if not abusive. Making it through one rejection was tough enough. It's human nature to play it safe, protect our feelings, and second guess a task into the realm of non-existence.

This fear of rejection hampers our ability to progress, by making it easyto find an excuse to give up. After "no" number 10, that just might be the excuse. Today's volatile economy, plagued with company downsizing and foreclosures, make rejections a bit more popular. However, I challenge you to view rejections as life urging you to try a little harder, to venture into new territory and to be fearless. Rejections are especially discouraging because human beings tend to think of immediate gratification instead of long term satisfaction. Rejections have gotten a bad wrap, but they aren't that bad, and can actually transform you into a better person.

Rejections might mean you need to revise your strategy, reconsider your market, or get more creative. Rarely do they mean give up the task completely. Consider the following:Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, but went on to become the best basketball player of all time. He later stated, "I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." Dr. Seuss' first book To Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street, was rejected by 27 different publishers before his famous book, The Cat in The Hat. Bethenny Frankel had an idea, but the big liquor companies did not see her vision. She pursued her vision and developed the Skinnygirl Liquor Brand. Skinnygirl later sold for a reported $120 million!

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The road to success is paved with a lot of rejection, a lot of disappointment and a lot of failure. Don't be discouraged because pursuing your passion is worth the sacrifices, the hard work, and the rejections. Along the way, you'll build tenacity. How many times have you seen a product and had the same exact idea? You had the idea but someone was bold enough to pursue that same idea, (rejections and all), all the way to the store and the bank. An idea is just a dream until it's executed, and no idea is a dumb idea, if cleverly marketed. When you think you're idea is a dumb idea remember the Pet Rock. Who would buy a rock? Well, the 1970s fad sold over a million rocks at $3.95 each.

Rejection is a gauge to how passionate you are about your venture. Without setbacks, there would be no way to determine how far you're willing to pursue your goals. View rejections as an invitation to burn the midnight oil, to put in that extra hour of work, and to be fully prepared when an opportunity appears.


Editor-in-Chief's Note:Ebonie-Marche Jones is a freelance contributor to MNI Alive

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