Why Rejection Is Good

There’s no doubt that rejection is painful. Whether it’s from someone you like and are asking out, or a job you really wanted, rejection is a tough pill to swallow. Unfortunately it’s a necessary part of life, but the good news is that rejection can actually be a good thing. Even though it won’t feel like it at the time, there is lots of good that can come from rejection. Here are just some of the ways that rejection can be a good thing:

It builds character. Someone who’s had everything handed to them on a silver platter just isn’t as interesting as someone who’s had to work hard for where they are in life. The most inspirational stories are those of people who have been down and out and rejected time and time again before finally finding success. So while rejection stings at first, try to think of it as one more interesting thing about you, or one more way that you’re growing as a person.


It brings you closer to what’s right. Getting rejected from something like a job you really want is a blessing in disguise. That job probably wasn’t right for you, and if you took it you wouldn’t be available for the job that’s really right for you. Rejection brings us one step closer to what we are meant to do or to what’s right for us. If someone rejects you when you ask them out, just think that they weren’t the right person for you and now you’re a step closer to finding someone who is.

It sharpens your decision-making skills. Because rejection hurts, it makes you think long and hard before putting yourself out there again. It helps you hone your instincts for what to go after and what to pass on. It helps you make better decisions based on what will be right for you.

It toughens you up. You need to have a thick skin to handle rejection. If you don’t have one yet, then hang on because it’s coming. Every time we hear “no” and get rejected, it makes us stronger and toughens us up. The first time is so painful but as you grow and get used to rejection in it’s various forms you’ll grow a thicker skin and be able to handle it that much better,
It teaches you. In every rejection is a lesson to be learned. We don’t always see it right away, especially when our ego is bruised, but it’s there. We can always find something to learn from every experience. Maybe we will do things differently next time, or we will learn to be more genuine or to open up more or to take more chances. The lessons are different for everyone but they are there for the taking if you’re willing to look past the initial sting of rejection to try to find the growth potential.

It makes success sweeter. When you finally do succeed, and you will, rejection helps to make that success even sweeter. Nothing feels better than accomplishing something that you’ve had to work really hard at. It feels so much more rewarding than if it had just come easily to you. You’ll get so much satisfaction out of finding the right person, job, etc. if you’ve tried and failed in the past. Finding something that’s right for us, and finally finding success feels even better if you have some rejection under your belt. You’ll know that you worked long and hard to get where you are and will truly be able to appreciate your well-deserved success.