I was recently rejected from an endeavor, and similar to any rejection I've experienced in my life, it didn't feel very good. Yet, we all know, rejection is a part of life, and the challenge is to rebound from that rejection. How can we do that?
Understand the role you played in the rejection
While I much prefer a good conversation when conflict arises, rejection can be the result or sign of conflict, and when we face rejection, we have to consider our role in the matter. What did we do that led to the rejection. If the rejection is related to a job prospect, experts advise that we reach out to the agency to ask why were not selected in order to inform our future pursuits. I believe this is good advice. If the rejection is on a more personal level, we can usually analyze the situation to find some evidence of what we did that led to the rejection. If we feel we need to make amends after the analysis, then that's the right thing to do. At other times, we may decide that a little distance is due, and in rare cases, a total break-up may be required.
Moving beyond the rejection
One advantage when people face rejection is that most people have interests in multiple areas. So if you're rejected in one sphere, then you can move onto another arena of life. If you're rejected in all of your chosen paths, then you'll have to think deeply about the direction you'll take and what let you to this life desert, and then get help for the challenges your face.
As the old adage states, when a door closes, a window opens, which means that when we face rejection in one area that likely leads us to a new area of exploration and opportunity. It is essential to be open minded to this despite the despair of rejection.
Re-establishing your values and vision
A rejection also prompts you to review and re-establish your values and vision. Before you were thrown off track either before or after the rejection, and now it is time to reflect on whether your values and vision are worthy and if you are living up to those.
Give it time
Rejection often makes sense in time. Once I was rejected from an educational opportunity I deeply desired. In time though, I could see that I didn't have the right experience for the opportunity--they needed a more seasoned educator for the role. Usually, in time, rejection makes sense to us.
See the rejection as an opportunity to grow and embrace new opportunities
As noted above, when one door closes, another one opens up. So if you're not spending time on the area you've been rejected from, what will you now spend time on, and what advantages and opportunities will arise from that.
Rejection, like any of life's detours, has something to teach us and is a door to new opportunity if we allow that to happen. Onward.