How do you respond to rejection? Filmmakers, writers, actors – anyone in a creative field can experience failure and rejection. Your response can either destroy or make your career. Here are 5 tips from Phil Cooke to help creatives manage criticism and grow from it.

1. Don't over think it.The work that you do may not be a problem; it may just not be a good fit for the project. Timing, chemistry, style, size – it all comes into play. More often than you think, rejection has nothing to do with your performance.

1. Don't take it personally.It's not about you. Separate you from the work that you do. It can open you up to future success.

1. Find objective advice.Go to someone you trust and get their opinion. An objective authority can help you put rejection into perspective.

1. Keep a cool head.Turn a moment of rejection into a teaching moment by asking for constructive criticism: "What is it you didn't like?" It may be a remarkable easy fix.

1. Don't let rejection derail your dream.The better you are, the more rejection you may get because you're pushing boundaries. Don't let it derail you.

Rejection happens. Keep changing, keep moving forward. There's always room to improve.

-Phil Cooke

"I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat."- Sylvester Stallone

"There's no such thing as rejection – only ways to win and improve your game."- Brian Bird, writer, producer

For more advice on dealing with rejection, visit Phil's blog at https://www.philcooke.com/secrets-dealing-rejection/

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Visit Phil Cooke's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzivfiicpepFmAv5ZblgYWQ