Rejection is powerful
I’d argue it’s necessary
A new week, a new substack.
This time I want to talk about rejection. If you’re new here, welcome! This is my honest founder playbook, a reminder that you don’t need all the answers to get started… but you do need to start.
This week has been a reminder for me that rejection is not only a necessary part of life, but a powerful one. Now, I’m not going to glamourise rejection - let’s call it out for what it is, PAINFULLLL. But if rejection didn’t exist we wouldn’t be who we are today.
People seem to be under the illusion that if only I had X, then Y would happen. Or the way things in life are due to lack of opportunities for you. (P.s. I am people). But let’s be clear. Here’s the truth: rejection isn’t the enemy. Fear of rejection is.
We convince ourselves that opportunities don’t exist, but often we’ve excluded ourselves before we even tried. Yes, lack of opportunities is real (especially in certain industries and for marginalised groups). But what we can control is our appetite for rejection.
Appetite? Yes. How willing are you to put yourself out there, knowing “no” is on the cards?
At some point this week I realised my week of rejections can’t actually get worse than this. So instead of operating out of fear, I started asking: What do I have to lose? Suddenly I was bolder, reaching out not just to “friends of friends” but to decision-makers and CEOs. Some replied, some didn’t, but it led to new meetings, sharper pitches, and more resilience than I’ve ever had.
Rejection is inevitable. Even in small things, like running for a bus only to watch it drive off. So why not plan for it? Why not make it work for you?
Here’s how rejection can actually help you grow:
Improve. Rejection is free feedback. If you’re lacking skills or made mistakes, you now know what to work on.
Build resilience. The more rejections you face, the less they control you. Soon people will ask: How do you keep going? Shoutout to Melanie Perkins, CEO of Canva who was rejected over 100 times before securing investment. Now look at her!
Stay positive. Rejection is proof that something wasn’t meant for you. Whether it's faith in God or whatever you believe in, understanding that when things don’t work out it was never meant to be. Stay in this mindset long enough, you start to thank the rejection and welcome it, because you only want what's best for you.
So yes, rejection is powerful. It shapes your character, builds resilience, and pushes you toward what’s really for you.
Next time you’re in the dumps, remember: what’s meant for you won’t pass you by.
It’s not a lack of opportunities holding you back. It’s the fear of rejection.