Yep, it's official, Rejection sucks. I know, I know, they say we should just get used to it. But is it really that easy? Heck, for some of us, rejection starts when we're young. Take Uncle P' for example. That poor guy still can't seem to get over his first middle school dance. (But that's a story for another day and it's never our goal to laugh at the expense of Uncle P') What's crazy is that some people actually like rejection. Yeah, it's true. They grow up and call themselves 'Sales Professionals'.
But seriously folks, let's talk about the R-word for a minute today. Do me a favor and think back to the last time you really, really wanted a sale....thought you had it....and then got the thumbs down. What do you do? How did you react? Did you curl up in a corner for a few days or was your soup du jour the simple act of calling that friend , family member, or mentor that always gets you back on the right track?
Like all of you, I've been rejected many, many times-in and out of the sales arena. But I want to share with you one experience in particular that has defined my outlook on this important subject and in many ways, been the impetus behind much of the success I've had in my adult life. Here goes:
A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
The year was 2000 and I was a junior in college, heavily anticipating my future after school and very much looking to build my resume to make it more appealing to any future potential employers. It was during this time that I came across an incredible opportunity working as an intern for a major company in the Silicon Valley . The internship was highly competitive, but that didn't matter to me. I could just feel deep down this was my position. It was what I'd been waiting for and I knew that after getting such a gig my future would be laid out perfectly. The only problem was that I just needed them to choose me...
After spending hours on what was, at least in my mind, the 'perfect' application, I hit 'send' on my computer and could barely contain my enthusiasm for what might possibly lie ahead.
Days went by. I waited.
And waited.
And then waited some more.
Finally, after about 2 weeks, I saw in my inbox an email from the company I'd applied to. My nervousness and excitement was palpable. This was the moment of truth.
The email was concise:
Mr. Sheridan, we thank you kindly for applying as an intern for our company. Unfortunately, your application is rejected at this time.
Everything in my mind seemed to get a little foggy at that point. Shock was clearly setting in. So I read the two sentences again....and dang it they still said the same thing!
My heart sank. I plopped on my bed and just kinda looked up at the ceiling fan spinning around and around.
"They rejected me...can't be...but they did....They rejected me....can't be...but they did"
Over and over again these thoughts of utter defeat plastered my brain.
Turning the Tide
But then, suddenly and out of the blue, I got off my bed and went back to my computer. Literally without any forethought on the matter, I grit my teeth, squinted my brow, and proceeded to write a reply to their email. This is how it began:
"Dear Sir, I do appreciate your letter, but at this time I'm going to have to reject your rejection. And here is why......."
20 minutes later, after writing some of the gutsiest stuff I've ever written, I pushed 'send'.
The next day, the company responded again. To make a long story short, they said I was in. I'd gotten the position, and it was all because I had the audacity and passion to reject their rejection, and fight for what I believed.
So that's my little message for all of you Rockstars reading the Sales Playbook on this day. Never let rejection be a reason to lose something you really want. Never get in the habit of throwing in the towel as soon as the other side appears to have moved on. Fight for what you believe. Fight for your passions. Fight for yourself. This is the essence of success, and I can assure you that by living your personal and professional life in this manner, the results will be profound.
So what are your thoughts on rejection? How do you deal with it and has there been a certain instance when you were able to overcome the dreaded 'R' word? C'mon rock stars, join in on the conversation.....
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