How To Get Over Rejection and Setbacks
In the creative industry, whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or business owner, rejection and setbacks are inevitable. Every successful professional has encountered bumps along the way. It’s impossible to thrive in this field without facing challenges, but these experiences ultimately make you stronger, more skilled, and more resilient.
When you’ve put your heart and soul into a project or opportunity that doesn’t go your way, it can feel disheartening. However, rejections and setbacks are not the end of the road - they are stepping stones on your path to growth. The way you respond to these obstacles is what defines your success.
Why Rejection Is a Part of the Journey
The creative industry thrives on innovation, risk-taking, and putting yourself out there. Rejection, while tough, is a natural part of pushing boundaries and exploring new creative frontiers. Each setback is a chance to refine your craft and approach, ensuring you are better prepared for future opportunities.
You can't control the setbacks that come your way, but you can control how you respond to them. Here’s how to bounce back from rejection and setbacks and continue thriving in your creative career:
How to Bounce Back From Rejection and Setbacks
Allow Yourself to Feel
It’s okay to feel upset when things don’t go as planned. Suppressing your emotions only delays the process of moving forward. Acknowledge your feelings of sadness, frustration, or disappointment, and give yourself time to experience them. The key here is balance - feel your emotions, but don’t allow them to consume you. Wallowing in self-pity will only stall your progress. Once you've given yourself permission to feel, it becomes easier to pick yourself up and keep going.
Take a short break after a setback. Engage in activities that inspire you or calm your mind. Creative expression in other forms can help process emotions and refuel your motivation.
Seek Feedback
One of the most valuable steps after facing rejection is asking for feedback. If possible, reach out to the client, employer, or people involved in the ‘setback’. Their insights can help you understand areas where you can improve, allowing you to fine-tune your skills moving forward.
By seeking feedback, you’re not only showing a willingness to grow but also demonstrating professionalism and dedication to your craft. Even if the feedback is tough, treat it as a learning opportunity.
If you're a freelancer or business owner, maintaining positive relationships with clients or collaborators - even after a rejection - can open doors for future opportunities. The professional way you handle setbacks can leave a lasting impression.
Reflect
After receiving feedback (or in cases where none is available), take time to reflect on the situation. What were the specific reasons for the rejection? Was there something you could have done differently? Reflecting on these questions allows you to approach future projects or pitches with a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t.
Additionally, consider speaking with trusted peers, mentors, or fellow creatives. They can offer you advice, different perspectives, and emotional support. Discussing your experience with others can also help you identify areas for improvement that you might have overlooked.
Journal your thoughts after each setback. Document what happened, how you feel, and what you learned. This practice not only helps in reflection but also tracks your growth over time.
Stay Positive
After you’ve processed your emotions and reflected on the experience, it’s time to shift your mindset. Remaining positive is crucial. Optimism will help you stay motivated, keep looking for new opportunities, and draw positive outcomes toward you. Self-belief is an important factor in creative success. Rejection is just one chapter, not the whole story.
Try Again
The most important step after a rejection or setback? Getting back out there. You’ve done the hard work of processing, reflecting, and learning from the experience, so don’t stop now. Whether it’s a lost client, an unsuccessful pitch, or a job you didn’t land, the key to overcoming rejection is persistence. The creative industry rewards those who keep showing up.
Set small, achievable goals for yourself after a setback. Completing them will give you a sense of accomplishment and help rebuild your confidence, making it easier to tackle bigger challenges.
Rejection and setbacks are unavoidable in the creative industry, but how you handle them makes all the difference. By embracing your feelings, seeking constructive feedback, reflecting on your experience, staying positive, and persevering, you can turn these challenges into valuable learning experiences.
The creative journey is filled with highs and lows, but each setback is an opportunity to grow. Keep moving forward, and remember - success is often just one more try away. Want more tips? Sign up to our newsletter HERE.
