Dealing With Rejection

We’ve all suffered through rejections both major and minor. Like the cycle of ebbs and flows that we talked about in episode 94 of The Messy Studio Podcast, rejection in various forms is a part of an art career that we have to deal with on a regular basis. How can we stay positive and motivated when we are being told we didn’t make the cut? What does rejection really mean in the big picture of our lives as artists?

The common wisdom in the entrepreneurial world is that if you haven’t suffered a lot of rejections, then you haven’t been trying hard enough or aiming high enough. The question is, what do rejections really mean in the big picture? They hurt at the time, but they are actually positive signs that you are aiming for something higher and further than where you are now. Rejection means you aren’t just playing it safe, but pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Facing rejection is a sign of ambition, and your intention to grow your career and audience.

Rejection can also be seen as part of a process. Finding the right path for yourself isn’t easy. You have to try a lot of different things to find out what works. Rejection is an indicator that your current path may not be the right one. This may help you to expand your thinking. You may be focused on acceptance to a particular gallery, a grant, or some other opportunity. Being rejected may lead you to consider other ways to achieve the same goal. The old cliche of “when one door closes, another one opens” can be true, but probably involves a conscious shifting of focus toward a new idea or solution...

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