I recently applied for a leadership programme. I was thrilled to reach the final round but then I received the disappointing news that I wasn’t successful. Handling rejection is never easy.
You will have no doubt received rejection too. It sucks. It is also however an opportunity to reflect, to learn and to move forward.
Here are some of my initial reflections following my own recent rejection:
1 The journey is more important than the outcome
I actually can’t believe that I’m writing this but that’s reflective of how far I’ve come in my career journey I suppose. I was all about the outcome but I have realised that the growth happens whilst you’re doing. I couldn’t imagine applying to the programme before but I did it, and I got really far. It was testament to my hard work but also enabled me to learn so much about myself along the way.
2 Rejection gives room for reflection
We can’t all be number one in fact the likelihood is that we are all coming third or fourth at best every day however it doesn’t mean that will be it forever. I didn’t make it into the programme but it has allowed me to reflect on what I really want to achieve in a way I had not before. I’m more pumped than ever to go after what I want.
3 It can open doors that you didn’t even know existed
It is important to show up. You never know who you might meet or what you may learn. When I was rejected I was so deflated but I also noted some opportunities offered to me in the same rejection email. Instead of feeling sorry for myself I have embraced and welcomed the offers. These are opportunities that would not have been available had I not applied and who knows where they may lead.
4 Confidence starts and ends with you. You are good enough.
How do you know you can’t land that job? Have you even applied? The age old saying that you have to be in it, to win it rings true. The fact I was rejected is good enough, I was in the race to be rejected. Sometimes we don’t applaud ourselves for that step in itself as many people don’t even get that far. I built so much confidence in the process. The confidence to apply, the confidence to carry out the interviews and now the confidence to write about my experience. Let’s not play down the achievements, even when you see the loss at the end.
How have you reflected on rejections in the past? Have they boosted you up or left you scrambling to pick back up?
If you enjoyed reading this blog post, you may also enjoy: