How to Survive Rejection

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By kp3028
User-Submitted Article

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Throughout life there are circumstances that cause rejection to happen. Boy/girl breakups, marriage breakups; work proposals not accepted; job applicants turned down for positions. The list grows everyday. There is no guarantee of acceptance in this world. Even the most successful people have experienced rejection in their lifetime. It is important to keep rejection in perspective. Analyze it and work to overcome the feelings the rejection leaves you with, while focusing on setting a new goal when rejection happens to you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Expect in life to be rejected. Perhaps a romantic relationship goes badly and a breakup has to happen. Perhaps the business proposal isn't accepted as you had hoped; or you did not get the promotion or new job that you had applied for and it doesn't lead to an immediate improvement in your life. Some rejections only happen once in awhile, but in other situations, like sales, you get rejected more often than not. Prepare yourself properly in advance if possible.
Step 2

Focus on the bigger picture. The disappointment is painful when it happens, but it will diminish over time and be replaced with other opportunities.
Step 3

Accept the adversity as one moment in your life and it shall pass.
Step 4

If it is a business rejection, don't take it personally. You will have many business deals that result in "I'm not interested". They rejected your product or service, not you. Determine if there was anything you could have or should have done differently and then focus on the next opportunity. Create a list of other successful business accomplishments and don't allow the rejection to prevent you from moving on to the next opportunity.
Step 5

Look at rejection as an inability for two people to come to acceptable terms with each other to maintain a continuing relation, whether of a personal or business type.
Step 6

Take a break. Do something fun to take the stress off the situation.
Step 7

Unfortunately, some people handle the situation in a mean, rude or nasty way. Try to understand that they are struggling with the difficulties they are feeling and they may not know any other way to handle the situation.
Step 8

Talk with people who care about you. Surround yourself with people who want your happiness and success. Let them help you put into perspective what is happening.
Step 9

Usually a better perspective takes over in a few days. If the rejection leads to feelings of depression, it is important to seek professional help.