What Would You Do if You Weren’t Afraid?
Dealing with rejection and failure
Do you know how motivational speakers ask you to go back to your childhood and pinpoint what you wanted to do?
There could be something there. I have yet to meet an adult as audacious as a child.
Those little beings will put whatever they find in their mouth, walk towards the fire, and fall while they learn to walk, get up, and try again.
But like me, you’re grown, so you know not to test the fire. For most people, this gradually grows into learning how not to live. We are all trying to find the magic once more.
That’s why Janet Mbugua’s message to pivot after facing rejection is something to remind yourself of often. First of all, it was surprising to learn that she was turned down by a modeling company back in the day.
Strangely, when we encounter rejection and failure, we imagine these experiences are unique. Yet, if you’ve read the history of anyone notable, you’ve seen that they had as many failures as successes. From Katy Perry, Harry Porter’s creator J.K Rowling, to Stephen King. Even revered copywriter Jon Morrow.
But they kept going. Or they changed the game.
Mark Manson addresses this belief in ‘being special’ in chapter 3 of The Subtle art of not giving a fuck. It is hammered in us that everyone is meant to be extraordinary so much so, that if you do not accomplish the extraordinary each day, you begin to feel inadequate.
On the flip side, accepting that most life is mundane relieves us of the constant pressure to be great. I’d argue that it also enables us to deal productively with failure.
Instead of wondering, ‘why me?’, you resolve to put in more effort and improve or move on to the next thing.
This is your reminder to push through whatever challenge you are facing.
Improve or pivot.
