Harnessing The Positive Power Of Rejection

Writing and rejections go hand in hand, that's a fact.

I received two this past week.

And while in the moment it can feel discouraging and disheartening, it's important to remember that rejection is simply a part of the writing process, and experiencing rejection actually has positive benefits which will help you grow as a writer.

Rejection = Feedback

If you think about it from a positive angle, rejection is nothing more than feedback. And feedback will only serve to help you become a better writer in the long run. If you are consistently getting rejected, it might be a sign that you need to improve your writing skills, or that you're pitching to the wrong publications and need to enhance your research abilities.

Take the rejection as an opportunity to learn and use it as a catalyst for improvement.

Rejection = Resilience

Rejection will also help you become more resilient. Sure, it can be tough to deal with, but if you take the time to properly process and reflect, rejection can help you build your mental toughness. Try to see it as a challenge and an opportunity to push yourself to become a better writer.

It's also important to accept that not everyone will like what you have written. Some editors prefer different writing styles and may reject a pitch not because it wasn’t good enough, but because it just wasn’t what they were after at that particular time.

As humans we crave acceptance, but without failure there can be no growth. Use it to strengthen your resilience and push yourself to level up.

Rejection = Reflection

After you accept and acknowledge a rejection, you can make a decision about the path you want to take to move forwards. In other words, use the rejection to examine yourself and reflect on your choices and future plans.

When you get rejected, you are forced to cast a more critical eye over your writing, which can encourage you to explore new paths and come up with more interesting ideas. It can even help you to think outside the box and develop a new writing style.

Self-reflection is a straight path to growth, not only as a writer but as a person in general.

Rejection = Patience & Persistence

While discouraging, especially when you are first starting out in your career, remember that every rejection is an opportunity to learn and grow, and that with patience and persistence you will eventually find success as a writer.

I was given those two words of advice way back in 2013, and they've been my mantra ever since.

Overall, rejection can be tough to deal with, and you will probably want to cry in a corner at some stage of your writing career, but don't give up! Try to focus on the positives: rejection is food for thought; a means to becoming a better writer and a more resilient, creative, and persistent person.

Rejection shouldn't stop you from becoming a great writer. Take it as a challenge and use it to fuel your growth.