So this week I started watching Halston on Netflix, the story of the iconic fashion designer. As you might imagine, I love any series like this...
I won't give away any spoilers but there is a great line in the first episode where Halston's first collection doesn’t do very well and his response is great ...
'I was brilliant, they were dummies.'
Amazing response to a setback....
It got me thinking this week about we deal with setbacks and rejection.
The assumption a lot of us make when we are given an no is that we deserve it. That we aren't good enough.
I've been rejected to sell on Not on the High Street twice now, and both times I felt really low about it, felt like it was because my work wasn't good enough, I wasn't talented enough and ultimately that I wasn't good enough.
It can be hard to break out of that low feeling you get when you get rejected from something you really want.
Over time I have realised that's not the case, as my confidence in my work and my abilities has grown. And well there has been a lot of rejection since too so you have to build up some resilience to it.
So what do you do when you get a setback or a rejection?
- Remember how brilliant you are. The first thing to do to get out of the negative feeling is to remember how special and amazing you are! Do something which makes you feel good and happy, treat yourself to some fresh flowers or a bath with the fancy bubble bath. When we are feeling better, we can view things differently.
- Try to see the bigger picture. Although in this moment the rejection may feel really difficult, remember that you won't feel this way forever. If you won't care about it in 10 years, don't spend more than 10 minutes being upset about it.
- See if there is anything you can learn. Feedback, good or bad is a gift. Decide that you will feel grateful for this rejection and see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
- Take it as a sign that something better is coming. I'm a big believer in everything happening for a reason. So if you get a no, take it as a sign that something better is coming your way. A better opportunity that you need space for. Keep the faith, you are doing briliantly!
Keep smashing it!
Rebecca x