Embracing Rejection

​I recently watched this amazing TEDx Talk by Jia Jiang on how he embraced his fear of rejection by challenging himself to ask for things that are likely to be turned down. He documented his 100 Days of Rejection on his blog with Youtube videos of each attempt. His asks are hilarious, ranging from asking to plant a flower in a stranger's backyard to sleeping in a mattress store.  Along the way, he learned to manage his fear of rejection and discover how to turn a "no" into a "yes." 

 Here are some of my take-aways from his TEDx Talk and reading through his blog:  

• Ask for the reasons behind the "no" and you might be surprised by the answer
• Asking for a favor is different from asking for a challenge. People may be more likely to take on a challenge than to do a favor 
• Offer a less riskier option if the initial answer is "no"
• Acknowledging the doubts that the person may be having about your request can turn a "no" into a "yes"
• If you get a "no" initially, ask, ask again 
• Challenging your own limiting believes about what's possible, what you are capable of, or what you are qualified to do is a huge part of the battle
• It is important to ask the person in power, who can make the executive decision; it is also important to ask the person who can be your advocate 
• Sometimes we have to take fear with us when we make that risky move 

Since watching this TEDx Talk, I have started to embrace rejection in small ways. For example, I have tried to bring my little dog with me to stores that may not allow dogs. I have not yet been questioned or asked to leave. Most of the time, the store employees don't seem to notice that my dog is there, and if they do, they tell me what a beautiful dog he is. Like Jia, I have learned through these experiences that (1) rejection is not as scary as I think it is, (2) I am surprised by how many times I get a "yes" when I was expecting a "no," (3) people are genuinely trying to make things better for me, and (4) most things are negotiable. 

Ready to embrace rejection for yourself? Tell me about your experiences in the comment section below.