Rejection. It is never easy to handle, but everyone has inevitably dealt with it at one time or another. There are many forms of rejection in the work environment. Perhaps you didn’t get the new job you wanted or the promotion you worked so hard to gain. You may have lost a sale to a competitor or not given credit on a project you worked so hard on. Regardless of the form of rejection, it is painful. Rejection can also be a time for learning though. You can look back and try to find the root of the rejection and work from there.
Have a cry about it. Let it all out if you have to or go to the gym to work it off. Whatever you generally do to let off steam, handle that first. Once you have a clearer mind, look back on the events leading up to the rejection. Ask yourself if you did you best. If the answer is yes, that’s all you can ask for from yourself. If you’re not sure of the answer then deep down there is a reason for this uncertainty and rejection.
Here are some other tips for dealing with rejection:
- Don’t take it personally.
- Don’t bring up the past.
- Focus on your strengths.
- Accept reality.
- Keep it in perspective.
Reject isn’t personal (for the most part), but don’t automatically make the assumption that it is a personal attack on you. Taking rejection personally makes being rejected much more difficult to overcome. Take that step back from the feelings of personal rejection and consider the circumstances as objectively as you can.
