How do I deal with rejection?
Run time: 02:32
January 21, 2025
Rejection sucks. Rejection hurts. That’s normal. That’s exactly what it’s supposed to feel like. The fact that you’re feeling something difficult inside? That’s normal. The fact that you don’t enjoy that feeling? Also normal. But here’s the truth: you’re going to have to get over it. You’re going to have to get used to it.
Rejection can almost become like a thrill-seeking activity. Think about how some people go on roller coasters, skydive, bungee jump, or do something extreme—they do it for the thrill. And that thrill is often tied to fear. At first, they don’t like that feeling of being scared. But over time, they develop an appetite for it. Rejection is similar. You have to develop a bit of an appetite for it.
You go in knowing it might happen. When it does, you realize: I didn’t die. You might even feel alive in that moment—scared, yes, but alive. And sometimes, the rejection doesn’t happen. You succeed, and the rush of that moment is incredible. All of it—the fear, the risk, the aliveness—it’s stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Rejection happens when you take risks, and risks are what lead to growth. When you face rejection, it means you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. And here’s the good news: rejection gets easier. The more exposure you have, the more you develop resistance to the discomfort.
So go ahead. Get rejected. Anticipate it. Treat it like a game. If rejection feels like it’s laughing at you, laugh back. Let it roll off you, and say, “That’s fine—it’s going to happen.” Once you can smile at rejection and say, “This isn’t going to stop me from trying again,” you’re unstoppable.
As you get used to rejection, your confidence will grow. And as your confidence goes up, rejection will happen less because you’ll be more self-assured. You’ll develop resilience and immunity to rejection, and you’ll start experiencing more exciting, fulfilling moments in your life.
All of that—the resilience, the confidence, the thrill of stepping out of your comfort zone—it feeds your attractiveness as a person. So don’t worry about rejection. Embrace it. Make it part of your diet. Digest it and move forward, saying, “What else do you have?” Then, step right back out there and keep going.
Rejection can almost become like a thrill-seeking activity. Think about how some people go on roller coasters, skydive, bungee jump, or do something extreme—they do it for the thrill. And that thrill is often tied to fear. At first, they don’t like that feeling of being scared. But over time, they develop an appetite for it. Rejection is similar. You have to develop a bit of an appetite for it.
You go in knowing it might happen. When it does, you realize: I didn’t die. You might even feel alive in that moment—scared, yes, but alive. And sometimes, the rejection doesn’t happen. You succeed, and the rush of that moment is incredible. All of it—the fear, the risk, the aliveness—it’s stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Rejection happens when you take risks, and risks are what lead to growth. When you face rejection, it means you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. And here’s the good news: rejection gets easier. The more exposure you have, the more you develop resistance to the discomfort.
So go ahead. Get rejected. Anticipate it. Treat it like a game. If rejection feels like it’s laughing at you, laugh back. Let it roll off you, and say, “That’s fine—it’s going to happen.” Once you can smile at rejection and say, “This isn’t going to stop me from trying again,” you’re unstoppable.
As you get used to rejection, your confidence will grow. And as your confidence goes up, rejection will happen less because you’ll be more self-assured. You’ll develop resilience and immunity to rejection, and you’ll start experiencing more exciting, fulfilling moments in your life.
All of that—the resilience, the confidence, the thrill of stepping out of your comfort zone—it feeds your attractiveness as a person. So don’t worry about rejection. Embrace it. Make it part of your diet. Digest it and move forward, saying, “What else do you have?” Then, step right back out there and keep going.