5 Ways to Handle Rejection Like a Pro

5 Ways to Handle Rejection Like a ProRejection stinks and it happens to everyone. Everyone. Weve all gone on first dates that didnt turn into second dates. Weve all missed out on the publication, the big promotion, the invite to ur second-grade schoolmates selective birthday party. Instead of wallowing in self pity, here are five ways to make lemonade and reframe your rejection next time you get whacked with one. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. Buckle down andrethink your strategyEither its a numbers game and you just have to wade through the pile of nos to get to the eventual yes, or there are things you could be doing better. Every few rejections, take a time out to reconsider your focus and your game plan, then make the necessary adjustments. This will make you feel like youre doing something constructive even when the good news seems to be just beyond reach and out of your control.2. If the door is closed, find the windowOr the si lver lining. Or the upside of the downside. Basically, try and tell yourself that this rejection only leaves you open for a better opportunity you might have missed. In other words, let go of this one and go for one better3. Learn from itTake each rejection as a challenge to goad you to do better and be better. No matter what, youll grow (and succeed) faster, regardless of how many rejections you receive. Youll probably still get rejections everybody always does. But if you learn something and let each one spur you on, youll be way ahead of the game.4. Zen it outSay to yourself that this just wasnt meant to be. Maybe the timing was off, or you were looking in the slightly wrong direction. Tell yourself everything happens for a reason, try to be at peace with that, and prepare yourself to seize the next opportunity with clear eyes and open arms.5. Realize its not all about youSometimes were rejected not because were not good enough. Sometimes were too good. Or the reason for our bein g rejected has nothing to do with us at all. Maybeyou remind the hiring manager of a kid who bullied him on the playground 20 years ago. Or maybe someone was having a really bad day when sheinterviewed you. Or, for company politics reasons, they had to overlook your stellar qualifications in favor of some other factor. You never know. Sometimes its best to sit back and not take things quite so personally. Remember, the right yes is just around the corner.