| How good are you at being rejected? The | | | | challenged to believe in himself or |
| ability to handlerejection is one of the most | | | | herselfwhen others didn't. Each refused to |
| important skills we can master inlife. As you | | | | allow someone else's negativeopinion to |
| pursue your dreams, there will always be | | | | become a roadblock in the pursuit of lifelong |
| those whowill tell you that you just aren't | | | | dreams. |
| good enough. The road to theattainment of our | | | | |
| goals is rarely rejection-free. Yet, when | | | | You, too, can use the inevitable rejection |
| doorsare slammed in our faces, many of us | | | | that comes your way tofortify your belief in |
| conclude we must be on thewrong track. It is | | | | yourself and fuel your progress. Here aresix |
| amazing how willing we are to abandon | | | | steps you can take to master the art of being |
| ourheartfelt dreams because someone else | | | | rejected: |
| doesn't believe in us. | | | | |
| | | | 1. Let rejection be a signal to go inward, |
| A close look at anyone who has achieved | | | | and do some soul- searching. Ask yourself: |
| greatness will revealthere was plenty of | | | | What do I really desire to create in mylife? |
| rejection along the way. Take J.K. | | | | Am I pursuing this path because it is truly |
| Rowling,for example. Every single publisher | | | | what I want, oris it what someone else wants |
| in Britain, and all but onein the U.S., | | | | for me? Then write down your goals. |
| rejected her first Harry Potter book. Many | | | | |
| couldoffer her lots of reasons why the book | | | | 2. Use rejection as an opportunity to better |
| would never sell. | | | | yourself. Ask forconstructive criticism. Take |
| | | | note of any ways you can performbetter next |
| Bill Clinton lost an election for the | | | | time. Would it help to take a class or read a |
| governor of Arkansas yearsbefore he was | | | | book onthe subject? Then do it. |
| elected president of the U.S. | | | | |
| | | | 3. Reconnect with your inner guidance. Close |
| Steve Jobs suffered public humiliation when | | | | your eyes and askyourself what the next step |
| he was fired by thecompany he founded--Apple | | | | is for you. Be still and the answerwill |
| Computer. Today he is once againleading Apple | | | | come--either right away, or in the next few |
| to even bigger and better accomplishments. | | | | weeks. Yourinner guidance is always moving |
| | | | you towards something, ratherthan away from |
| When U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader | | | | something. It gently nudges you to take |
| Ginsberg graduatedfrom law school, not one | | | | thoseactions which will enable the |
| major law firm offered her a job. | | | | fulfillment of your desires. |
| | | | |
| Some other stories of rejection among | | | | 4. Remember to lighten up and have fun along |
| well-known achievers: | | | | the way. When youare following your bliss, |
| | | | you are in alignment with your higherpurpose. |
| --Walt Disney lost his job at a newspaper | | | | Let your life be a joyful adventure, in which |
| because his editoraccused him of "having no | | | | thejourney is as important as the |
| good ideas." Later, Walt founded acartoon | | | | destination. Try not to takeyourself so |
| production company that went bankrupt. | | | | seriously. |
| | | | |
| --Michael Jordan was cut from his high school | | | | 5. Remind yourself that encounters with those |
| basketball team. | | | | who do not believein you are an opportunity |
| | | | to strengthen your belief in yourself,and |
| --A producer sent a memo regarding Fred | | | | your commitment to following your inner |
| Astaire's 1928 screentest that said "Can't | | | | guidance. Only youhold the map of your life |
| act. Can't sing. Balding. Can dance alittle." | | | | territory within you. Others cannotpossibly |
| Fred acquired the original memo years later, | | | | know what is right for you, or what you are |
| so he couldframe it and hang it over his | | | | capable ofdoing, being, or having. |
| fireplace. | | | | |
| | | | 6. Visualize the attainment of your dreams. |
| --Albert Einstein did so poorly in school | | | | Put your body in acomfortable position, |
| that a teachersuggested he quit, telling him, | | | | either seated or lying down. Close youreyes, |
| "Einstein, you will never amountto anything." | | | | and take some deep breaths. Imagine that it |
| | | | is a year fromnow, and that all of your |
| --At 21, F.W. Woolworth was employed in a dry | | | | dreams have become a reality. Create amovie |
| goods store. Hisemployer refused to let him | | | | in your mind, in which you live those dreams. |
| wait on customers because he "didn'thave | | | | Make it asreal as you can. Be lighthearted |
| enough sense." | | | | and playful with yourimagination. Get excited |
| | | | about it. Use all of your senses. Don'tworry |
| --Early in her career, Lucille Ball had a | | | | if you can't see things clearly--its okay if |
| reputation as a failedactress and a "B-Movie | | | | you just sensewhat it feels like to have |
| Queen." | | | | attained your goals. |
| | | | |
| SIX STEPS TO MASTERING THE ART OF REJECTION | | | | 7. Celebrate your rejections, for they are a |
| | | | sure sign that youare stepping out of your |
| In spite of the rejection they encountered, | | | | comfort zone and living your life to |
| these individualspersevered. Each was | | | | thefullest! |