Maintaining Focus and Motivation Post-Rejection

On navigating disappointment in academic life. Academic life is filled with highs and lows. Unfortunately, there are often more lows than highs, and the lows can be really low—such as being denied tenure, failing to secure grants (meaning you can't fund your staff), or being rejected for a multi-year project at a journal. To successfully ride the roller-coaster of academic life, it is important to think through coping strategies well before a trough. What skills are helpful to acquire? (1) Learn to Acknowledge Your Feelings: Allow yourself to experience disappointment and frustration without judgment; your emotions are valid. Example: After a paper rejection, permit yourself an afternoon or evening to feel upset without immediately trying to "fix" the problem. (2) Practice Pausing and Stepping Back: Take time away from the immediate situation to process emotions clearly and objectively. Example: After receiving disappointing grant results, take a weekend away from work to clear your mind. (3) Learn to Think Constructively: Identify factors within your control (e.g., clarity, alignment with priorities) and distinguish these from external factors beyond your control. Example: If a paper is rejected, review reviewer comments after a few days to objectively pinpoint areas for improvement or clarity. (4) Develop a Support Network: Reach out to trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends for perspective, encouragement, and practical advice. Example: Discuss your tenure denial or grant rejection with a mentor who has successfully navigated similar situations to gain insights and advice. (5) Learn to Depersonalize the Setback: Remember, rejection is common in academia and does not define your value or present or future. You are more than one paper or one event. Example: Remind yourself of highly respected colleagues who have faced similar setbacks yet continue to thrive professionally. (6) Maintain Balance: To protect your emotional and physical well-being, prioritize rest, self-care, and activities unrelated to your academic work. Do this whether you are winning or not. Example: After a disappointment, deliberately schedule time for hobbies, exercise, or relaxation to help regain equilibrium. (7) Build Resilience: Recognize that resilience, more than any single success or setback, determines long-term academic success. Your ability to pick yourself up after a disappointment will define what you become. Example: Reflect on past disappointments that you've successfully overcome and how these experiences contributed positively to your professional growth. If you acquire these skills, you'll strengthen your ability to overcome disappointment, but more than that, be ready for opportunities when they are presented in the future! Best of luck! #academicjourney

Don’t Let a Message That Starts With ‘After Careful Review’ Keep You From Trying Again Someone recently asked, “How do you handle so many rejections when applying for a PhD?” Let’s be real→ Rejection hurts. Whether it’s from a job, a scholarship, or a PhD program, those words “ After careful review, we regret to inform you…” can feel like a full stop to your dreams. You put months (sometimes years) into preparing, researching programs, and perfecting applications, only to receive “no” after “no.” But here’s what I have learned the hard way: rejections are not a verdict on your worth or capability. They’re sometimes redirections→ It pushes you to refine your path, focus your goals, and strengthen your resolve. → During my first PhD application cycle, I faced many rejections. ( My first significant rejection since high school 😃) → I had not encountered a rejection for a long while → It felt like a door closing on my dreams each time I opened another letter. I received Rejections from two different departments at #JohnsHopkin. This was in 2020 when I was still at Hopkins. (2nd year MPH/MBA) But here’s what happened next. Rather than letting those rejections define my self-worth, I took them as motivation to try again. I used them as fuel →I sought feedback. → I refined my applications. → I aligned my story with what programs were looking for. The following year, those same rejections turned into offers—and not just one, but multiple, including programs that had rejected me before. 📌Here’s what you learn about rejections 1️⃣ Rejections Aren’t Stop Signs; They’re Signals to Refine Each “no” →pushes you to dig deeper. → pushes you to clarify what you could bring to each program and to showcase it even better. Every rejection is a chance to become a stronger, clearer version of myself. 2️⃣ Rejections are about Fit, Not Failure → Sometimes, it’s about how well another candidate’s background matches the program's needs. →Admissions is not a direct reflection of your capability. 3️⃣ Rejections Are an Invitation to Persist → After that first round of rejections, I could’ve given up. →But I decided to return with a sharper focus and even more determination. That resilience paid off. 4️⃣ You Only Need One Yes → Sometimes It doesn’t matter how many times you hear “no.” → It only takes one “yes” to change everything. And you’ll never get that “yes” if you stop trying. ******* So, the next time you read “After careful review…” remember: It’s not the end. It’s an invitation to try again, better and stronger than before. → Each “no” is a chance to refocus, refine, and get closer to the right “yes.” ************** Have you faced rejections that led to a better outcome? #PhDJourney #RejectionIsRedirection #GradSchool #GrowthMindset #NeverGiveUp #AcademicSuccess

"Sorry, we've decided to go with another candidate." The rejection email hit my inbox like a ton of bricks. My heart sank, and for a moment, I felt lost. But here's a twist: What if it's not rejection, but a redirection? I remember a time when I was sure a role was my perfect fit. The job description seemed tailored to my skills, and the interviews went smoothly. I was so close, yet it slipped away. Instead of dwelling, I reframed it. This mental shift was crucial for my professional growth. I sent a thank-you note, expressing my admiration for their work. I highlighted specific aspects of the company that impressed me during the interview process. This simple act kept the door open for future opportunities. It's a small world, and maintaining positive relationships is invaluable. Then, I treated myself to a day of joy. Self-care is essential when navigating career challenges. A favorite book, a long walk, and a coffee with a friend. These simple pleasures helped me regain perspective. It was refreshing. I felt my energy and motivation returning. And guess what? A few months later, a better opportunity came along. One that aligned even more closely with my long-term career goals. Looking back, I realize that initial rejection was a blessing in disguise. It pushed me to refine my skills, expand my network, and clarify my professional aspirations. So, next time you face a rejection, remember: It's not the end. It's a step towards something greater. Here are some strategies I've found helpful for bouncing back from setbacks: 1. Practice gratitude: List three things you're thankful for in your career journey. 2. Seek feedback: Ask for constructive criticism to identify areas for improvement. 3. Upskill: Use the time to learn a new skill relevant to your field. 4. Expand your network: Attend industry events or reach out to professionals you admire. 5. Revisit your goals: Ensure your career path aligns with your values and aspirations. Remember, resilience is a skill. With each challenge, you're building your capacity to adapt and thrive in your professional life. How do you bounce back from setbacks? Share your strategies in the comments below. Let's learn from each other and grow together! 💪 #CareerGrowth #Resilience #JobSearch #ProfessionalDevelopment #OpportunityInDisguise #PositiveAttitude #CareerAdvice

The hardest part of the job search isn't what most people think... It’s not resumes. It’s not networking. It’s NOT the ATS. The hardest part? 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 🔹 When you've applied to 50+ jobs and hear nothing but silence. 🔹 When recruiters ghost you after the third interview. 🔹 When rejection emails feel like a daily routine. That’s when doubt creeps in. That’s when imposter syndrome starts whispering: "𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩. 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦. 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘦." 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀—𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵. Most people who land a job went through rejection first. You’re not failing—you’re experiencing what everyone experiences. But the difference between those who get hired and those who don’t? 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴. Hiring is messy. Resumes get lost. Decisions get delayed. Sometimes, it has NOTHING to do with you. But here’s the reality: No one is coming to save you. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵. So what can you do when you feel like giving up? ✅ Control what you CAN Keep refining your approach. Is your resume optimized? Are you tailoring your applications? Are you networking intentionally? If what you’re doing isn’t working, change it. Doing the same thing and expecting different results isn’t persistence—it’s a dead end. ✅ Proactively Build a Network Cold applying isn’t enough—you need people advocating for you. Find people who have the job you want. Connect with them. Engage with their content. People hire people they know, like, and trust. ✅ Show Up & Be Seen Be more engaged on LinkedIn. Comment on posts. Add value. Make people recognize your name. Take it one step further: Create your own content. Share your job search journey. Post about what you’re learning. Opportunities come to people who make themselves visible. ✅ Reframe Rejection The goal isn’t to avoid rejection. The goal is to get better at handling it. Rejection doesn’t mean you’re not good enough—it just means that wasn’t your job. Every “no” brings you closer to the right “yes.” It only takes ONE yes to change everything. ✅ Take Breaks When Needed Job searching is mentally exhausting. Burnout won’t help you land a job—momentum will. Step away for a day. Reset. Then come back stronger. At the end of the day, 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴. Your job is out there—but you have to fight for it. What’s been the toughest part of YOUR job search? Drop it in the comments 👇

Another rejection. No response. Another month gone. Maybe I’m just not good enough. That was the loop playing in my head during my job search. Every rejection chipped away at my confidence. Every unanswered application made me feel invisible. I found myself stuck in a spiral of self-doubt, anxiety, and pessimism, questioning my worth with every passing day. But after discussing it with my therapist, I learned that your job search does not define you, and your setbacks do not determine your worth. I was unknowingly engaging in negative thought patterns that only deepened my job search depression. My therapist helped me reframe my mindset and build strategies to combat the emotional toll of rejection: ✅ Separate rejection from self-worth – A “no” doesn’t mean you’re not valuable. It just means it wasn’t the right fit. ✅ Stick to a structured routine – Job hunting shouldn’t consume your entire day. Setting boundaries helped me maintain balance. ✅ Challenge negative self-talk – Instead of “I’ll never find a job,” I started saying, “The right opportunity is out there.” ✅ Celebrate small wins – Even finishing an application or reaching out to a new connection is progress. ✅ Lean on support – Talking to friends, mentors, and my therapist reminded me that I wasn’t in this alone. If you’re in this place, I see you. It’s exhausting. It’s discouraging. But you are not alone, and this moment does not define your future. Keep pushing forward—you are more resilient than you think. Have you ever struggled with job search anxiety? How do you handle the emotional ups and downs? Let’s talk. 💬 #JobSearch #MentalHealth #Resilience #CareerGrowth

i've had several honest conversations recently with talented professionals who described the same painful experience: being caught in a rejection spiral that's shaking their confidence to the core. you know that place—where each "no" feels heavier than the last, where your inner critic grows louder with every rejection email, where you start wondering if you're fundamentally missing something everyone else can see. if this resonates with you right now, I want to share what all of us who have walked this path have learned. because let's be honest—rejection is a universal experience we all navigate at various points in our careers: ↪️ the rejection spiral thrives on isolation. break its power by sharing your experience with someone who won't rush to "fix" you but will simply validate that what you're going through is genuinely difficult. ↪️ your professional identity isn't the sum of other people's assessments. the most innovative contributions often face the most resistance initially. ↪️ switch from "why me?" to "what now?" the first question drains energy; the second generates it. perhaps most importantly, understand that resilience isn't about never feeling discouraged—it's about creating a practice that helps you return to center slightly faster each time.

After a technical recruiting interview for a role at my 'dream' company years ago, I was told that I wasn't selected. It broke my heart. The rejection was intense; it was hard to swallow the sadness. The hiring manager gave me feedback about my interviewing skills and presentation - hard stuff to hear but SO useful. A few months later I applied for another role in the same dream company in a managerial position and landed it. Rejection is one of the hardest things each of us face. It feels so very personal, and it can really mess with us emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Consider how you're dealing with rejection now as a job seeker. What are you doing to cope with the rejections while pressing forward in finding your right next job? May I suggest the following: 💡Talk with someone who deeply cares about you as you share your struggles with the rejection (friend, partner, pastor, therapist, family member). 💡Determine your next steps in your job search - is it using your skills in a new industry/role/way? 💡Seek out a recruiter or friend who's an experienced interviewer to schedule a mock interview, which may reveal ways you can speak more clearly, concisely, and passionately about your work experiences, skills, and interpersonal skills. Mock interviews are SO illuminating! 💡Consider treating yourself with grace and patience, like you would if a friend was dealing with the same struggle - a job search is NO ONE'S favorite thing to do. Go on walks, pet your animals, dance to your favorite tunes, focus a hobby you love - replenish yourself as you walk through this gauntlet. A job search is a period of time in our lives; it is NOT our entire lives. It does not define us as human beings. You will get through this. You will find a "yes" and move forward. Don't give up hope. #jobsearchtips #facingrejection #jobsearchtip #candidateexperience

Embracing Rejection in Tech Sales As an SDR in the Tech Sales world, I’ve come to accept that rejection is part of the journey—one that shapes our resilience and growth. Each "no" I encounter isn’t just a closed door; it’s an opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve my approach. Here are a few key takeaways I've learned along the way: Growth Mindset: Every rejection is a chance to refine my skills and strategies. I ask for feedback and reflect on what I can do differently next time. Building Resilience: It’s easy to feel disheartened after a string of rejections, but each one strengthens my resolve. Remember, persistence often leads to breakthroughs! Connection Over Conversion: Focusing on building relationships rather than just closing deals has shifted my perspective. Sometimes, the connections we make today can lead to opportunities tomorrow. Celebrating Small Wins: I’ve learned to celebrate progress, whether it’s a great conversation or a new insight gained. These small victories keep me motivated! Rejection may be a tough pill to swallow, but it’s also a crucial part of our growth as sales professionals. Here’s to resilience, learning, and the next opportunity waiting around the corner! 💪

Letting go of a missed opportunity can be tough, especially when it comes to a job you thought was a perfect fit. But don't get disheartened, sometimes the feedback from these experiences can shed light on areas you need to improve. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧: • The disappointment of rejection • The time 'wasted' on the application • The opportunities missed • The discouragement to reapply 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨: • Understanding why you were not selected • Identifying areas for improvement • Learning from the experience to perform better next time • Gaining confidence and knowledge for future applications You didn't get the job. Okay, accept it. Now, understand why. Did you stumble during the interview? Did you fail to display the necessary skills during the hiring process? Before you consider reapplying, it's essential to diagnose and address the reasons behind your initial rejection. In the spirit of continuous learning and improvement, what's one invaluable lesson you've learned from a job rejection? Remember, failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently. --- Want to keep the conversation going? Join my FREE discord community to join likeminded professionals discuss enriching topics in the tech and career space: https://lnkd.in/g5gbjKPp

Rejection sucks. Let’s not pretend it doesn’t. You prepped. You hoped. You visualized that offer. And then it didn’t happen. Here’s how to actually bounce back, not just emotionally, but strategically: 1. Let it sting , but don’t unpack there. Take 24 hours. Journal it out. Talk to someone. Feel it fully, then move forward. 2. Analyze the process. What round did you lose momentum? Did they ghost after the interview or stop at your resume? Patterns matter. Track them. 3. Refine your pitch Were your examples too vague? Did you sell your skills or just describe tasks? Every rejection is a mirror. Use it. 4. Reconnect with your wins Read old feedback. Talk to past colleagues. Remind yourself of what you’ve done and what you bring. 5. Stay in motion Apply to 2 new roles the same week. Follow up with someone new on LinkedIn. Momentum > motivation. Rejection doesn’t define you. How you respond to it does. Help me share this post. Let’s remind people their next yes isn’t canceled, just delayed.