AS WE ‘NO’ IT

There is no degree in the world that prepares us for rejection. When it happens – whether catching you unawares or otherwise – it pushes us over the edge, sending us in a free fall of utter despair. Eyes glazed over with cynicism and self-doubt, we are overwhelmed with a sense of inadequacy that makes us question our very purpose in the larger picture called Life.

While it feels like a hard slap on the face and instantly sends us on the long arduous road of self-pity, it is, I believe, an opportunity too.

I know, it is difficult to wrap our heads around that, especially when we are reeling under its fierce blow to our ego and identity, but that is the silver lining we need to look for to be able to recover from its otherwise brutal impact.

It is that chance which allows us to step away from ourselves, take a hard look at ourselves and review our own contribution to the situation. It is not self-flagellation – far from it. While what we assimilate in the process might make us uncomfortable, it is the first step towards healing and coming out a better version of ourselves on the other side. For who knows us better than we know ourselves?

As Mike Peake points out in the feature ‘How to deal with professional setbacks’ on page 30, we never plan for obstacles. And I’m not sure if we can ever consciously plan for it.

Think about it – while at the starting block of our careers, brimming

While rejection might be a tight slap, it is an opportunity too, a silver lining we need to look for to be able to recover from its impact

with confidence and optimism, we believe it won’t be us who would be at life’s crossroads, wondering which direction to go when we come across a roadblock called rejection. But it happens to most of us. And when it does, we need to press that stand-by mode, recalibrate our ability compass and get back into the game with renewed vigour.

It is tough, but who ever said life is going to be a walk in the park?