Rejection happens to everyone, even celebs
Rejection can be tough to handle, even though it happens to everyone. After multiple rounds of interviewing for a job, hearing “no” can be quite discouraging. However, rejection is a necessary part of growth, in both professional and personal aspects. Rejection helps you learn more about yourself, refocus your energy, and do better next time. Even celebrities face rejection.
Some of the most talented people have received the harshest rejections, and in the face of such rejection, it is important to stay focused on your goals and not let rejection dissuade you from trying again – that’s what separates the wheat from the chaff.
All of these rejections, at least, have some form of constructive criticism in them. If you can understand why you were rejected, you can do things differently next time, which again, helps you grow. If you receive a rejection letter that offers no constructive criticism whatsoever, follow-up and ask why; although you may not receive a response, you will be giving yourself the opportunity to improve.
This is helpful not only for employment rejections, but also, meetings, suggestions you make to your boss or supervisors, client proposals, or any other situation you get rejected. Make sure you convey to the other party that while you accept their rejection, you would just like more information so you can improve your efforts in future; most people will be more than happy to help you.
The most important takeaway
The most important thing to do when you are rejected is not overanalyze the situation. You can spend hours replaying every single scenario in your head, thinking about what you could have done differently, but at the end of the day, what’s done is done and it is better to focus on what you can improve upon, instead of focusing on what you did wrong. Leave the past in the past.
Rejection is one of the best ways to grow; sure it can be painful, but if you embrace it as part of life, you will learn more about yourself and be able to challenge yourself in new and exciting ways.
Check out some of the rejection letters uncovered by MentalFloss.com:
Letter sent to Bono of U2
London-based RSO Records, rejected U2’s submission, and within a year, they signed with Island Records and took off.
Sylvia Plath’s rejection letter
The New Yorker admits that perhaps they are being “dense,” but Sylvia Plath’s works were rejected, nonetheless.
Jim Lee gets harsh criticism
Jim Lee is one of the most famous comic book artists, and a co-publisher at DC Comics, but before his fame, he was rejected by all, and as you can see below, harshly criticized.
Madonna was told she’s not ready
Before she signed to Sire Records, she was told no several times, including the letter below which indicates she shows promise but wasn’t ready yet. It is believed this letter was written in 1980 or 1981.
Andy Warhol struggled. A lot.
In 1956, Andy Warhol tried to gift some of his work to the Museum of Modern Art which rejected him – fast forward to today, and they own 168 of his pieces.
