We have all experienced rejection at some point, and let’s be honest: it can hurt. Whether you don’t make the front row in a group dance, don’t get a callback, or find yourself the understudy instead of the lead in your school play, it takes time to process the bite that comes with rejections of any size. The key to handling and moving past rejection starts with your mindset. As motivational speaker Steve Maraboli once said, “Everytime I was being rejected from something good, I was being redirected to something better.” Let’s look at rejection as a pivot point that guides our next steps.
Experiencing Rejection
If you are experiencing rejection, it is okay and completely normal to feel it all. Maybe you weren’t chosen for the solo, or you just didn’t end up where you wanted to be in the formation. Whatever it may be, your feelings are valid. You’re allowed to be frustrated, cry, and think through every detail—at least for a while. After you get all the feelings out of the way, it is time to change up your mindset. Rejection opens the door for new approaches, new ideas, and new challenges.
Rejection is Redirection
Getting rejected doesn’t need to be a bad thing. It helps you grow as a person or dancer and opens up new avenues for connecting with others. There is something to take away from every experience. Even when you don’t get a callback, you may learn a new skill from the routine at the audition. Now, you can take those new things you learned and apply them in the future.
How to Handle Rejection like a Star
Everyone is going to handle rejection differently, but having strategies for dealing with rejection can help you create your own path when it comes to finding your next direction.
Feel It
This is the perfect time to journal, call up an old friend, or just vent your feelings out, however feels right to you.
Ask for Feedback
There is always something to learn, so this is a great opportunity to ask your teacher or coach if there is anything that you could work on.
Keep an Open mind
Sometimes that “no” you is the first step toward something even bigger and better. But to make that happen, you need to keep an open mind. Focus on possibilities rather than impossibilities.
Rejection Doesn’t Define You
Your worth does not change, no matter what role you get, what your grade is, or where you get placed in a dance. Your worth has always been there and will continue to be there. You have so many amazing things coming for you in the future.
