Gurbaksh Chahal | Why Rejection is a Beautiful Thing
Whether its work, school or any kind of relationship, it can be frustrating when someone overlooks you and doesn’t give you a chance.
Who is to blame for the lack of consideration? It doesn’t matter; if people are aloof to give you an explanation, they aren’t worth your time anyway.
Here are a few more reasons you shouldn’t stress if you’re seemingly overlooked:
Never regret a single character in your journey. If they weren’t part of your destination, they were just preparation.
As cliché as it sounds, it is true. Everything does happen for a reason. Even if you don’t think it now, in hindsight, you’ll realize that event or decision was for the better.
There are so many opportunities for you, and just because you don’t get one, it shouldn’t stop you from pursuing another.
So move on from self-pity to the next one.
Success is the best revenge.
After being rejected, or not even considered, you may have some feelings of contempt. Prove it for yourself, that professor who deemed you unworthy, a boss who looks at you as inferior or your family member you can’t satisfy, that they were wrong.
Strive for success and happiness, and when you are successful and happy, it will be worth every bit of agony to have gotten you there.
Being yourself is more important.
They don’t get you, and that’s okay. Everyone is different in some way or another. Some people decide to hide that part of themselves and conform to society; others disregard societal norms and stand for what they believe, even if they’re standing alone.
You went out on a limb, and they just don’t understand you — probably because you’re the nonconformist type, and they’re the following type.
So keep calm and carry on. Don’t be ashamed for staying true to yourself. And remember, always do you.
You get to save your time for more important things.
Why waste time on people and things that don’t see your value? Yes, it’s frustrating that you’re being judged by the jadedness of others, but it’s not worth dwelling over.
In actuality, these people did you a favor by saving you time, which is a priceless gem in life. Now you can contribute your efforts to something more important.
Spending your time on something worthwhile is way more fulfilling.
No one knows your story.
Many things happen behind closed doors. People don’t realize there is so much more to a person than what he or she conveys.
Many times, people act a certain way as a defense mechanism to hide their insecurities. Odds are, your rejection and judgment are a reflection of the other person’s self-doubt.
Occasionally you are neglected because of individuals’ superficial personalities. Don’t take their dismissal personally; only a lucky few have the ability to envision life in another person’s shoes.
You don’t need validation.
As the great, outspoken Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
These words are wise and true. If someone makes you feel like you are not good enough, you gave them that power.
Confidence may be a hard attribute to achieve, but if you are confident and comfortable with who you are, what others think matters less.
You are a risk-taker.
The most successful people are risk-takers. Every successful idea is usually one that will come with skepticism. You either go big or go home.
Many of the things that have progressed our society, whether it be in science, entertainment or technology, were once thought of as unrealistic.
If the risk-taking people behind those ideas gave up, where would we be now?
You might be one of those people, so don’t give up if you hear the word “no.”
It is their loss.
Everyone, and I mean everyone has something to contribute, even if it may not seem like it. It takes a strong, confident and compassionate individual to see the value in something that seems worthless.
And it takes that same kind of person to make an exception and give that person a chance. If they say no, don’t extend you an opportunity or don’t take a risk, they are the ones losing out.
Maybe one day they will look back and regret not taking a chance on you. But only if you make it possible.
Some of the most successful people we know about were rejected, refused and failed a chance, yet they went against the opinions of others and triumphed to become successful.
They took their rejection or lack of consideration as constructive criticism.
Even though you weren’t given a chance, it’s okay; your chance will come and it will be exceptionally rewarding.
Take a look one of America’s greatest heroes.
- 1816, His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
- 1818, His mother died.
- 1831, Failed in business.
- 1832, Ran for state legislature – lost.
- 1832, Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
- 1833, Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
- 1834, Ran for state legislature again – won.
- 1835, Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
- 1836, Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
- 1838, Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated.
- 1840, Sought to become elector – defeated.
- 1843, Ran for Congress – lost.
- 1846, Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good job.
- 1848, Ran for re-election to Congress – lost.
- 1849, Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected.
- 1854, Ran for Senate of the United States – lost.
- 1856, Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – got less than 100 votes.
- 1858, Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
- 1860, Elected president of the United States.
This was Abraham Lincoln’s journey in becoming one of the most admired President’s of all time.
Chairman & CEO, ProcureNet | Founder, Chahal Foundation | 3 Exits $400MM+ | 4X Entrepreneur | Author | Guest Lecturer |Hong Kong | Bay Area
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