Learning to Turn Rejection into Fuel for Success

Rejection is a part of daily life, especially if you are seeking a job or entrepreneurial opportunity. Most people have a fear of rejection that has been fostered from a young age, which can make it hard to recover when rejection occurs. A successful businessman should learn from mistakes and use rejection as a stepping stone for the next opportunity, but like many things in life, this is easier said than done.

In order to learn from mistakes and use rejection as fuel for future success, you should always ask why you have been rejected. Some people are so disappointed by the rejection that they fail to ask for details as to why it has happened. A successful businessman will ask why, then use that information to become better. For example, if a business rejected you for a job because they felt you needed more education or certifications, you can make sure you obtain the necessary education or skills. Next time you apply for a job, you have an increased chance of acceptance because you used that rejection to your advantage.

To fuel your success, you should always try to identify the positives in every rejection. Perhaps you got a chance to make new business connections that could lead to future opportunities. When WhatsApp cofounder Brian Acton was rejected by Facebook, he took to his Twitter account to express his gratitude for the networking he was able to accomplish despite the fact that he was turned down. Acton later sold WhatsApp to Facebook for $19 billion, which definitely makes him a successful businessman. Had he taken Facebook's initial rejection personally or bad-mouthed them publicly, he may never have made his billion-dollar sale.

Every successful businessman should always have multiple irons in the fire. Too many times, people will stop looking for a new job or opportunity while they still have applications or interviews pending. This is a terrible idea, because you may miss the chance to find your next job or idea. Until you get an actual offer, you should be applying for new jobs and continually networking. A successful businessman should also be constantly trying to improve work skills and contacts while waiting to hear back from potential employees or investors. Never rest on your laurels, because then the rejections will just keep piling up, which increases your chances of becoming dejected or quitting. Instead, use the rejections to fire yourself up to keep trying, because the next try may just be the one that works.

You may not be able to control whether a potential employer or investor rejects you, but you can control your reaction. Instead of wallowing in pity, act like a successful businessman would and use the rejection to your advantage to ensure future success. Your career prospects will be greatly improved if you take rejection on the chin and soldier on, rather than giving up in despair.

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