Is everyone telling you NO? (You can still be massively successful)
Trust me, I know how frustrating rejection can be. Everything I do revolves around people telling me no. But every once in a while, people say yes. The NOs don't matter, they are just required steps on the path to YES.
When I'm booking my live show, there are so many factors to determine if someone actually books me. Is the show family friendly enough for the event? Too family friendly? Am I too old? Am I too young? Did they like the music in my promo video? Did they even WATCH my promo video?
When I re-frame what a no means to me, I realize that rejection was simply allowing me to be available for the next opportunity that's actually a better fit for me. The first thing I ask for isn't usually the best. So many times it's my second choice (or third or fourth) or often something I never even considered, becomes something amazing.
I've constantly been thankful for all the things that didn't work out, because it allowed me to take on even bigger challenges and adventures.
We beat ourselves up when rejection comes. Thinking back, we think we could have done something differently to change the outcome.
You can't go back. You did what you did because you thought it was the best you could do at the time. If you realize it wasn't your best (and it probably wasn't, keep getting better), make a change and try again.
When someone says no, you're right back to where you started before you asked EXCEPT now you have a MASSIVE advantage. You know precisely what WON'T work.
Sometimes I fall into the trap of not going after some opportunities because I want to save them for when everything is perfect. Years can go by before sending an email to an agent or TV show or whatever as I'm "getting ready."
The problem is I'll never be ready. There's no reason to be reckless, you've got to put the work in. I'm assuming you're at that point already. I'm assuming you've got skills. If you don't, stop reading this and start practicing.
No.
Don't practice, just do things. Make things. However you want. Break rules and mess stuff up. Then do it again. Better.
If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.
Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn
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