Handling Rejection

Rejection is a natural part of life. Rejection can look like many different things. It could be in a romantic sense, it could be in a friendship, or it could be in pursuing a new life goal.  My mom used to say to me, “It’s not rejection, it’s redirection.” This phrase would give me comfort because it sounded nice. However, I don’t think I ever let the weight of the words truly wash over me. When viewing rejection through this lens, it becomes a funnel and not an offense. It serves as a funnel in the capacity that you are one step closer to finding what is meant for you. One more no means you are closer to finding your eventual yes. A healthy relationship with rejection is addressed in chapter 5 of Pink’s To Sell Is Human. The chapter is entitled Buoyancy. In the chapter, Norman Hall describes his experiences with being told no as a salesman. Norman states that the biggest struggle is facing the potential of being shot down before he even begins. When the rejection doesn’t have a face and is looming in the unknown, that’s when it has the most power. In order to stay “afloat”, a salesperson needs to be buoyant. In order achieve a buoyant state, there must be a balance between gravity and levity. Gravity is the force that keeps a person tethered and grounded. This could be the rejection and judgement coming from others. Levity is the force that allows someone to transcend and be lifted up. This could be internal positivity or outward affirmation. There must be equal emphasis on both. Without gravity, levity would take over and foster a huge ego. Without levity, gravity would take over and the fear of rejection would consume. Along with this balance, it crucial to take a no as transactional and not personal. People are often searching for what would serve them best, even in products. A potential client saying no has nothing to do with the seller but rather the customer trying to fulfill their need. Applying this wisdom is easier said than done. However, striving to adopt this mindset would greatly benefit any salesperson.