How many times have you been rejected? Never take a rejection personally. We all get rejected. Just like there is no road without bumps, corners, and steep slows, life is full of these too. In your work, you will be rejected.
The secret is to learn from the rejection.
I have always been an adventurer. In 2010, I applied for a project in South Africa to facilitate a strategic retreat for one of the manufacturing companies. Looking back, I overestimated my skills. For some reason, I passed the preliminary assessment stage. This earned me an invitation to travel to Jo’burg for a face to face presentation of my methodology. I got everything fully paid. I was excited but scared.
This time I was not successful. This was my second attempt at long-distance deals. The first time, it was a job interview. Although I lost the job that had taken me there, one of the panelists offered me a job at his company, which I also rejected. I learned to be confident and take risks. The second time, I demonstrated that I had not understood the assignment. They expected some form of a framework or model. I did not have a ‘customized one’. I kept referring to SWOT, 5-Forces model, and Balanced Scorecard, but could not clearly articulate how the models related to each other.
In hindsight, I should have done better. The attempts helped me discover South African cities – Pretoria and Jo’burg free of charge. I also gained the confidence to present to any audience. I learned how to stay ready, and not to first get ready. Indeed, opportunities go to those who seek them.
Mustapha B Mugisa Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.
