Rejection Is Just Redirection 🧐

Today’s word count: 696 words

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes 15 seconds

I think it’s worth stating right from the beginning that, in order to get to a ‘no’, you first have to know what you want — and, even more importantly, be willing to ask for it.

A lot of our internal judgment about how conversations might go plays out entirely in our heads and never actually sees the light of day.

Not so long ago, I read in one book on sales that hearing ‘no’ is just the start of a negotiation. It’s kind of a safe word we use when we’re faced with uncomfortable situations or unfamiliar people.

That insight really made me more proactive about going after what I want in life — and, most of all, about asking for it openly.

Even in the Bible, there’s that famous quote:
“Ask, and it shall be given to you.”

So... why not ask?

Quote 1:

“If you aren't experiencing failure, then you are making a far worse mistake: You are being driven by the desire to avoid it.”

- Edwin Catmull (computer scientist and animator who served as the co-founder of Pixar and the President of Walt Disney Animation Studios)

There’s a concept in psychology that suggests our actions are always somewhere on the spectrum between moving toward a positive outcome we want to achieve or away from a negative outcome we want to avoid.

That being said, the outlook on any situation can change drastically depending on which of these two approaches we take.

Moving toward a positive outcome propels us forward — it energizes and motivates us. In contrast, acting out of a desire to avoid failure is usually rooted in fear. It leaves us cautious, hesitant, and overly focused on what could go wrong.

Quote 2:

“Rejection is an opportunity for your selection.”

- Bernard Branson (entrepreneur, author, speaker, mindset coach)

I strongly urge you to welcome any rejection in life with open arms and a big smile. I know that might sound a bit crazy, but think about it — every rejection brings you one step closer to the outcome you actually want. Even better, it helps you refine your path by recognizing what you don’t want.

To put it in a soccer analogy for all the fans out there: you have to take a shot at the goal if you want to score.

Quote 3:

“Negotiation is nothing more than communication with result.”

- Cross Voss (writer of the book “Never Split the Difference”)

If you think about what rejection really is at its core, it’s often the first step toward understanding what a potential yes could look like. With that in mind, negotiation becomes the key tool to help you get closer to the outcome you truly want for yourself.

So don’t shy away from negotiation — see it for what it is: a positive and necessary step. A productive outcome often depends on it.

You know anyone who is struggling with fear of rejection?

Share this email with them.

Love you,
Igor

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