Bouncing rejection
Recently a friend shared that when she’s faced with an opportunity to ask someone for their business she has an actual, physical reaction. She steps back away from the situation, begins to tremble, gets a lump in her throat, and her stomach turns. All of these things happen, she knows, because they might say “no.” My friend knows she is good at what she does. She is certain she has talent. She believes in her product and service, and she knows her product or service would add value to the person she is asking. It isn’t any of those things. It is the discomfort that comes with the word ‘no’. It is the idea of the next time she will see them and what they will say to move past this conversation. It is the simple reality that they don’t find the same value in her product and service as she does.
We can reason all of these feelings away and suggest that anyone can learn to get over these feelings and make the ask anyway. Sure, anyone can learn a skill. But can they excel at it? Can they be remarkable at it? Can they do it with such joy and glee that it seems effortless? Can anyone sell? Sure. But if they can’t get past the possibility and feeling of rejection, they aren’t going to be very successful at it. It doesn’t take a statistician to know that the likelihood of facing rejection as a salesperson is 100%.
Rejection comes in all forms. Whether it is personal or a business rejection, it is never fun. Or is it?
I remember a couple of guys in high school that I really liked, I probably acted like a complete fool around them. Well, if you know my husband you know that we did not go to high school together… The old crushes I had were not mutual, and the sting of rejection was personal and real. But I look back on high school with great fondness, even if those boys didn’t like me!
Rejection in the business world might be easier than in the personal world, we all know that changing jobs is not nearly as big of a deal than getting a divorce… but rejection is hard and hurtful no matter the instance.
Rejection in your business life is simply a disagreement of how a relationship moves forward. If you are offering your products or services to a company and they say “no thank you”, there could be many reasons that they aren’t buying what you’re selling. Maybe they have another plan, maybe it’s not a good time, they may have loyalties to someone else or they might not think your product and service will add enough value at this moment for the company. Very seldom is it personal – and if it is, you don’t want to work with them anyway… people who run companies on personal whims can never be trusted.
In all situations – MOVE ON!
When someone serves me up a good dose of rejection I always leave the door open for their ultimate purchase of my product or service. They may come around, uncover a need, change the company direction. They may have a change in management, they may change to another company – we never know. I enjoy filling the silence after a “no” with “can we stay in touch?” Never has anyone rejected that question. And over the years, many, many times, they have said “yes” at another time.
If you are reading this and still saying “I can’t do it!” Maybe YOU should not deal with rejection. Maybe YOU should do what you are good at and let the professional salesperson deal with rejection. Hire a salesperson. Make that the next investment in your company because I promise it will show returns and relieve a lot of stress from your business.
Or perhaps the better way for you to build your business is to build referral sources who believe in you. Perhaps trading referrals is a better way. Many people will share someone else’s greatness before they will share their own… fine, do it that way – build a referral team.
Maybe you believe you can generate business via a strong media presence. Remember people trust people not buildings and products. Make sure your message is about you and trust. It can work.
Rejection is not easy, rejection hurts. Understanding rejection and dealing with rejection allows you to wear the ultimate rubber suit and bounce to the next opportunity in a very positive way!
Have you heard of Tigger? T-I-double “GUH”-ER. Well “The wonderful thing about Tiggers is Tiggers are wonderful things. Their tops are made out of rubber and their bottoms are made out of springs.” Simply put – Tiggers bounce and they are fun. Great salespeople are like Tiggers. If you don’t see yourself as a Tigger, then figure out how to add a Tigger into your world. I think you will be glad you did.
Tigger Clip Art from www.disneyclips.com