Reframing Rejection: How to Turn Your Setbacks Into Success

Soichiro Honda, the Underdog

How can rejection guide us toward success?

When Soichiro Honda saw his first vehicle, he knew he wanted to work in the automotive industry.

When he left school to work at an automotive shop in Tokyo and created automotive parts in 1936 for Toyota, they were rejected.

But that didn’t stop him.

Post-WWII, gasoline became scarce and Soichiro created a small 2-stroke motor that needed very little gas to operate and was designed to attach to bicycles.

The Honda Motor Company was founded shortly after it released its first motorized bike in 1949….. twenty years later they started manufacturing cars.

There can be a ceiling for everyone…. but it’s knowing that it’s not forever. It’s knowing that there are better things out there for us. Keep moving forward!

The Value of Reframing Rejection

One of my favorite quotes is from the movie “Dumb and Dumber.” When Jim Carey essentially gets rejected by a woman he has a crush on, he says “not good… like 1 out of a 100?” and she responds with “I’d say more like 1 out of a million…..”. Jim Carey is silent… then responds with “So you’re saying there’s a chance?!” I laugh about this quote pretty often and repeat it in multiple scenarios. Outside of laughing more, I have believed it more. And shouldn’t we all do that?

Overcoming rejection is a challenging experience for everyone, even leaders. Here are some ways to turn rejection into a positive learning experience:

1. Recognize that it's not personal: It's essential to understand that rejection is not a reflection of your self-worth or abilities. Rejection is often a part of the process of growth and learning.
2. Use it as an opportunity to learn: Ask yourself what you can learn from the rejection and how you can improve your skills or approach next time.
3. Don't give up: It can be discouraging, but it's important not to give up. Persistence is key to success, and rejection is often a part of the journey.
4. Seek feedback: If possible, seek feedback from the person or organization. This feedback can be valuable in helping you understand how you can improve.
5. Focus on your strengths: It's easy to focus on your weaknesses. Instead, focus on your strengths and what you can bring to the table.

Remember, rejection is a part of life, and it's how we respond to it that defines us. As a leader, it's important to demonstrate resilience and the ability to bounce back, as this will inspire and motivate those around you.

Invest Into Yourself By Letting Go of Constraints

A healthy exercise in life is paying attention to the rules that exist, the ceilings above you, and the walls around you.

Now ask yourself, do you know the people who made those rules, built those ceilings, and constructed those walls?

If yes to any of those, now ask yourself... do they know you?

Here is your reminder to reset and ensure the existing world constraints aren’t giving you tunnel vision on what is possible for you.