“It is not rejection itself that people fear, it is the possible consequences of rejection. Preparing to accept those consequences and viewing rejection as a learning experience that will bring you closer to success, will not only help you to conquer the fear of rejection, but help you to appreciate rejection itself.”
~ Bo Bennett
Rejection is NOT personal.
It is about our story.
It is about our story as it is at THAT moment in time.
It is about how our story resonates with THAT agent.
It is NOT personal.
It is a learning experience and an opportunity to improve.
It means that agent was not THE ONE.
It is NOT personal.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat!
It is about our story.
It is about our story as it is at THAT moment in time.
It is about how our story resonates with THAT agent.
It is NOT personal.
It is a learning experience and an opportunity to improve.
It means that agent was not THE ONE.
It is NOT personal.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat!
This is my new mantra.
Great mantra. Works for editors too!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff you have here! It is so true. Rejection isn't personal
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely AMEN!!! :O)
ReplyDeleteVery good advice. Something to keep in mind always!
ReplyDeleteSo true!
ReplyDeleteVery true, and the sooner a writer learns to look at rejection that way the better. Rejection will always sting, but having the right mentality about it will always help speed up recovery from the sting.
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent mantra it is!! And truly great advice. Thanks Shannon!
ReplyDeleteVERY good advice!!
ReplyDeletehi miss shannon! i like what you said. yep! its like getting a skinned knee from playing baseball. just wash it and get back in the game cause you love it. that reject stuff happens not just in writing but in lots of stuff. so thats real good advice for more then just writing. i just learned that mantra word. its a really good word for what you said. :)
ReplyDelete...hugs from lenny
Very true. Sometimes I wonder if my manuscript isn't finished yet because I love it so and am afraid maybe agents won't...
ReplyDeleteHmm...I'll give it a try:/
ReplyDeleteI love your new mantra. It is wise. And easy to chant! Thank you , I needed this.
ReplyDeleteYes. Wise advice.
ReplyDeleteIt also helps to remember that there are other great agents out there who might be your match, and that there are other great stories left to write.
Oh I so needed those words today. Hugs for the mantra. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the mantra!!!
ReplyDeleteYes! I love it. Thank you for this positive post. :D
ReplyDeleteIf only repeating and believing were the same thing :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a helpful mantra. I'm committing it to memory right now.
ReplyDeleteAwesome mantra! I'm learning this. Slowly.
ReplyDeleteGreat mantra. Thanks for sharing it. So true. Can't take it personally.
ReplyDeleteGreat mantra! Great reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteLather, rinse, repeat. I love it! Rejection in all areas of live is hard, but it does teach us how to do it differently next time.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, sister! I need to recite that too.. as I just received another one today. :(
ReplyDelete*recites rejection mantra*
:)
Hey, Shannon,
ReplyDeleteIt is SUCH a part of this job...but isn't it kinda a part of life???
Christ sure preaches it. Been reading' about it lately.
SO nice to be outta the cave and at this cool place but gotta burrow back in.
One deadline next Wednesday, then about two weeks to go!!!
Patti
I think every struggling writer should print it out and pin it right over the computer screen
ReplyDeleteWise words, but oh, so difficult to live by.
ReplyDeleteGreat mantra! Amen!
ReplyDeleteExcellent words. I'll tuck them in my memory for the next time I take that risk.
ReplyDeleteThat...is true. =)
ReplyDeleteWAAAAHAAAAAAAA repeat after me, rejection is a FOUR letter word. Well, it's actually nine letters, but you get me, Right??
ReplyDeleteSUCH A HARD LESSON TO LEARN!!! But you are right, rejection isn't personal and what may be a rejection for an agent or editor one week might be a home run at a different time of with a different person. It's all SO SUBJECTIVE.
ReplyDeleteApplicable to many fields/situations. Hard to remember when you've just been rejected, but some rejections are necessary to get you to a time/place where you get the YES.
ReplyDeleteA little deep for a Friday afternoon.
Oh how true! What a great quote!
ReplyDeleteJust remember: it's not a matter of if. It's a matter of when.
This is the truth! I especially like the one about how that agent wasn't THE ONE. Because you only want THE ONE for you.
ReplyDeleteI think you need a hug.
"Rejection is not personal" :) Great mantra.
ReplyDeleteShannon...Great post...We all need to remember it...
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon -
ReplyDeleteI'm learning what not to do. :)
Blessings,
Susan
I'm going to need this in a few months when I start querying, I'm sure!
ReplyDelete"An opportunity to improve"-- you're so right about that, Shannon!
ReplyDeleteI'm 2/3 through a serious revision, per editor suggestions, and every re-do makes the whole story stronger (even if it's SO much heartbreak and WORK!)
I will have to remember this when I get a bunch, as I'm sure I will. I found your blog through Tara Lazar's blog. I write picture books, too!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I could handle rejection. The thought makes me cringe. You all put so much thought and effort I couldn't imagine.
ReplyDeleteHard not to take rejection personally, but you're 100% right!
ReplyDelete