What To Do When You Hear ‘No’

Written by: Celi Arias • October 09, 2023

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/@Headway

One of my clients recently sent me a message saying:

“I'm really upset and disappointed because I did all the things I thought I was supposed to do, and I still got a ‘no.’”

I pushed myself. I got uncomfortable. My messaging has been reworked and is on point. I’m clear about my offers. So I reached out to a referral partner to get into this summit…

And they said ‘no, it's not a good fit.’ It didn't go as I planned and I didn't get what I wanted.”

This is a great lesson. So listen up.

You can do everything right. You can master all the skills… And still get a no.

And that’s okay. It's completely normal. Here’s why…

Where Your True Growth Stems From

The moment you get a ‘no’ is actually where your true growth occurs.

Because your business growth, and the evolution within yourself, happens in this very moment — not when your positioning is perfect.

Being gutsy, bold, selling the dang thing… these are the foundational elements for both personal and professional growth.

It’s essential you have them in place. For your actual growth to occur when you receive a ‘no.’

And what you do with that ‘no’ defines your character. It shapes your growth trajectory and determines your success.

Why You Need To Embrace The 'No'

If you receive a ‘no’ and think, “Alright. It's not this one, but I’ll get another one.”

Then you’ve won.

Because rejection is a part of life that everyone goes through. And it's especially common in the business world, where everybody’s trying to win really hard.

Rejection, of course, can manifest in various forms — like a declined job application, a rejected business proposal, or a denied partnership request.

You might feel frustrated and disappointed when you don’t get what you want… And even question your abilities, or the real value of your efforts.

But you shouldn’t. Because a ‘no’ is not a reflection of your worth or capabilities… Often, it's simply a sign that this particular opportunity wasn’t the right fit for you or the other parties involved.

The Silver Lining Of Receiving A ‘No’

So I like to view rejection, though tough to swallow, as a blessing in disguise.

It forces you to reevaluate your approach, and search for new opportunities. It can also be a valuable learning experience that creates an even better version of you. In fact, many successful business owners faced rejection multiple times before achieving success.

For example, Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper for "lacking imagination and having no original ideas."

Oprah Winfrey was told she was "unfit for television."

And J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers before Bloomsbury Publishing agreed to publish "Harry Potter."

They wouldn’t have become successful, had they given up at their very first ‘no.’

How To Move Forward With Grace

Instead of dwelling on your disappointment, consider these approaches to use the knowledge you gain from your “nos” to facilitate more future “yeses”:

• Reflect On Feedback: If you received feedback along with the rejection, take the time to understand it and learn from it. Evaluate if there are any valid points that you can incorporate into your approach and improve it for next time.

• Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Rejection stings, and it's okay to feel disappointed. Allow yourself to feel those emotions, but don't let them consume you.

• Stay Positive: Focus on the positives in every situation. Celebrate the progress you've made and the efforts you've put in. Remember, every ‘no’ brings you one step closer to a ‘yes.’

• Keep Going: Don't let rejection hold you back. Use it as fuel to keep pushing forward. Stay committed to your goals and keep working towards them — no matter what!

What’s Standing Between You & Your 7-Figure Business

It's completely normal to feel disheartened when you receive a 'no' after investing so much time and effort…

But it's what you do after hearing the 'no' that truly counts.

Keep your head held high, stay optimistic, and remember: true growth happens when you face rejection and keep moving forward anyway.

Because your reaction to rejection defines your journey to success. So stay strong and resilient!

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