Oh hey there. Me again. The one who said she would write for the sake of writing. Oops! So we never got formally introduced. I’m Heather. Sup! I am just your average girl, approaching the scandalous “menace to society” age of 25….THE HORROR!!!

So anyways.

Maybe now that someone knows my secret identity I can be a little more faithful in this writing stuff. Now that we have all the random details ironed out…

This looks like an awesome announcement in which I tell you all that I just got accepted into the U’s MBA program and I plan to run for president in the next election, also I probably have my life together and know what I’m doing.

(Does anyone know the answer to that? Please share)

Unfortunately it is not a picture of any of these things. I did apply for the MBA program! But they turned me down. I did think running for president was a brilliant idea to avoid paying rent for a few years! But then I found out Donald Trump was in the race (who would clearly bribe my millions of followers with Chick-fil-A sandwiches that he bought…summoning my loss of course). I thought I would have my life figured out by now…But I totally don’t!!!

Steve Maraboli said:  “Every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better.”

Rejection doesn’t feel that great when it comes in a fancy, signed letter.

It makes you think – Hey…maybe they are right! I am totally not that great in comparison to what everyone else has to offer! I am just ordinary and basic and that should be okay! This piece of paper proves it!!! Why else would send such an official letter telling you that you aren’t what they are looking for?

But what if that is not who I want to be? I don’t want to be ordinary and basic. Our Heavenly Father doesn’t create ordinary works of art. Have you ever seen just a standard sunset? I haven’t. Each is different. Each is extraordinary. Sure, some paintings take longer than others to get just right. But my artist is the best of the best. So today I’m taking a little leap of faith and rejecting the rejection. I’m better than scores on a paper. I am more valuable than whatever that weird interview was (conversation with a stone-cold wall, anyone?). I am better than someone telling me NO.

I want you to see that you are better than that two-letter word as well.

Here are a few ways to deal with rejection:

1- Acknowledge how you feel

Rejection sucks. Let’s just be straight up about it. It hurts to be told you aren’t what someone is looking for. Whether you are applying for school, a job, or starting a new relationship. Nobody enjoys being told that they are less than what the other person or company or school wanted.

But what is most important? Recognizing that your feelings are valid, real, and legit. Deal with your emotions and allow yourself to feel them.

2- View your efforts in the right mindset

Rejection only happens because of one reason. You put yourself out there and tried something big, risky, scary, BRAVE. View your efforts in a way that is real. You went out there and tried! Give yourself that credit. You wouldn’t have been rejected OR accepted if you hadn’t shown up at all. So make sure you look at the rejection as a sign that you are here 100% and gave it your best shot.

3- Show yourself compassion

Give yourself a break. Show kindness and be soft to your heart. In case you didn’t believe me the first time, REJECTION SUCKS. There. I said it again. It hurts to not be “good enough” for someone else. But you know your true worth and none of that matters. You are a flipping boss and don’t need the approval of a piece of paper to have any additional value. You literally come with all of your worth when you are born, and nothing can take that away.

So be gentle! Go get a massage, read a good book, or take a hot bath and rest. Treat yourself to love and kindness, because as I mentioned – you showed up in a big way, so you deserve it.

4- Don’t let it define you

You know your worth. You are NOT your rejection. You are amazing, and you got turned down for something. That doesn’t represent you as a person, and doesn’t have to be part of your future. You can rise above it and keep moving forward. There are so many other opportunities coming you way, so just hang in there and remember who you are and that you are more than the people who don’t see your worth.

5- Learn from it

Lessons can be found in pretty much everything we do. Whether the lesson is to not trust certain kinds of people, learning that you need to do additional work, or just need to move forward with better humans around you, there are tons of things you can learn. Rejection can be the best lesson because it often shows you things you might not have seen prior to making that leap of faith and trying something scary.

You can also learn about your skills, weaknesses, and strengths. It will show you how much power you have within you to make things happen. And it will show you how strong you are. Perseverance is a skill and something that takes guts. Keep moving forward and make things happen.

6- Keep showing up and making waves

Since you know your worth and your future is wide open and anything is possible, rejection should not hold you back. Keep trying. Keep showing up and making waves! Stand up to the pressure of failure and go for another round. Rejection doesn’t define you, and you rock. Don’t stop going because of a small setback. You got this. Get it, girl.

Something good is coming. It’s just on the horizon, peeking over the hill off in the distance. I’m not giving up without a fight. I’m lacing up my shoes and pulling up my big girl panties today and facing this one head on. I hope you do too, whatever you are facing. Meanwhile, the artist is mixing up some masterpiece colors….keep watching! Some happy trees might show up soon 🙂

XO – Heather

Want a few more tips on living your best life? Check out the following posts:

For When Your Goals are too Big

Kindness Begins With You

Sitting, Wishing, Waiting

Chasing Your Crazy Dreams