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Rejection > Regret

Live confidently through embracing rejections

Author

Linda Hung
October 07, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Monday Me’s

Rejection > Regret

Rejections suck, but regrets are worse. With the right mindset, rejections can become a positive experience. Today we’re going to dive into transforming rejections into positive, empowering experience

Today’s Topics:

  • Brief Rejections and Eternal Regrets

  • Pain of Rejection vs Regret

  • Reframing Rejection

  • Question for you

Brief Rejections and Eternal Regrets

There was this guy.

He had the 3 C’s:

  • Chemistry

  • Charisma

  • Charm

We clicked instantly. I needed his number. And I got it.

That year, I was stuck in a relationship that wasn’t going anywhere.

But my gut told me I had to leave him and pursue this new guy.

I ended what wasn’t working and ventured toward what felt right.

3 months later…

It ended

This isn’t a fairytale meet-cute where I met the love of my life.

The relationship was brief, but I am grateful to have pulled the trigger.

He may have rejected me, but I’m not wondering if I could’ve had a life with him.

Doing so allowed me to move on, and now I’m in a happy, healthy relationship of 4 years.

Pain of Rejection vs Regret

Rejection is better than regret because rejection is definitive, while regret leaves you with lingering questions you'll never be able to answer… Remember, the pain of rejection is nothing compared to the pain of regret.

Matthew Hussey

Rejections are temporary

Regrets are eternal

Don’t let the temporary pain transform into an eternal wound.

Reframing Rejection

Rejection is tough, but each rejection is an opportunity for growth. Ever since I learned how to reframe rejection, I became fearless in taking risks I used to be scared of taking.

Rejections as Positive Experiences:

  1. Acknowledge the Emotion

    Process: It’s natural to feel negative emotions like doubt, sadness, or frustration after rejection. Allow yourself to feel them. Don’t suppress these emotions, but acknowledge them as part of the experience.

    Action: Take a moment to ask yourself, "What am I feeling right now?" Then, give yourself the space to feel it before moving forward.

  2. Shift your Perspective (JOMO)

    Process: Instead of focusing on what you are missing out on due to the rejection (FOMO), embrace the "Joy of Missing Out" (JOMO). Remind yourself that every rejection creates space for a new opportunity or lesson. Focus on the gains instead of the loss.

    Action: List out what you might gain because of this rejection. Ask yourself, "What doors might open now that this one has closed?"

  3. Build Your Personal “Proofs”

    Process: Rejection is not a reflection of your worth or capabilities. Build a mental or physical list of your past achievements and strengths to remind yourself of your value. Rejection is often about misalignment, not inadequacy.

    Action: After rejection, reaffirm your worth by reviewing your strengths or experiences. Remind yourself, "I am still capable, and I’ve proven it before."

  4. Recognize the Long-Term Lessons

    Process: Every rejection holds a lesson, whether it’s about timing, compatibility, or personal growth. Sometimes what we want isn’t what we truly need, and rejection helps guide us towards better outcomes.

    Action: Reflect on what you’ve learned from this rejection. Ask yourself, "What did this teach me about myself or my path?" Consider how this could lead to something better, as in your past experiences.

  5. Voice or Write the Lessons

    Process: Solidify your learning by verbalizing or writing down your takeaways. This helps anchor the lesson in your mind and prevents you from repeating the same mistake or falling into the same emotional traps.

    Action: Journal about the experience, or talk it through with someone you trust. Ask yourself, "How can I grow from this rejection?"

Save this framework in your notes to remind yourself how to reframe rejections into positive experiences.

Question for you to journal

"What opportunities have I gained from a rejection that I initially viewed as a loss, and how did that experience shape my growth?"

Let’s start by reframing a past rejection. Think about how you have grown and become who you are today.

Reflect: Then reply to this e-mail what your findings are

In Case You Missed it…

On the last Monday Me, we talked about You’re not nervous, you’re excited. It’s all about shifting perspectives on nervousness to empower you to tackle anything bravely. Here’s how you can transform nerves into excitement:

Exciting Nervousness Framework:

  1. Identify the Overlap

  2. Reframe Your Thoughts

  3. Anchor the Excitement

  4. Visualize Success

  5. Breathe & Ground Yourself

  6. Use the Energy

Read more Monday Me Posts for alignment techniques for “Me” and Wednesday We Posts for connection tips for “We”!

That’s all for this Monday Me. Reply to this e-mail any findings you have and let me know what topics you would like me to explore!

In the meantime, Stay Smiling 😊

Linda

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