How to deal with Rejection

Let's face it; Rejection is a smelly cu*t with herpes -- but if you want to be a content creator, it's something you're going to have to deal with.

That means:

• No angry retaliations with an AK-47
• No dismissal of the feedback as 'that guy's an idiot' or other similar thoughts
• No taking it personally that someone doesn't want to invest a lot of money in an idea you have
• No quitting
• No badmouthing people who don't share your creative vision

Rejection is part of the process.  And part of being a good writer is learning how to deal with it.  When I first started out I took it very personally. 

How could they not believe in me?
Know this will be the next great thing? 
Want to bang down my door to be a part of it?


I'd let it weigh me down; sometimes walking away from a project for months at a time.  But that was years ago.  This week alone I've gotten three rejection letters; and instead of crying naked in a corner I brush it off.


Here's why:


Making a television show or film requires a lot of time, energy, and PASSION.  And there is NO POINT in teaming up with people who aren't as passionate about the project as you are.  So if you're shopping something around and no one is biting; just be grateful that you don't have to work with people who aren't really crazy about it.


Seriously. 


There's nothing worse than being on a show and having to work with people who put it down, are negative, and are more or less toxic to work with.  I've had the unfortunate pleasure of having to deal with that throughout my career and the last thing I want is to have someone like that on board one of my shows.


It just doesn't make any sense.


Rejection is momentary.  It's one person's opinion. 


The industry is filled with hundreds -- thousands of people who might have a different opinion.  Opinions that could be more in line with yours. 


So chin up buttercup.  It's not the end of the world.  It's just a little ripple that will eventually lead you to people who are more like minded.


One of the saddest things I see is people who have no faith in themselves and end up giving up too soon.  If you are serious about having a career, then that is a LIFETIME INVESTMENT.  It won't happen over night, but if you persevere, it will happen. 


I promise you.


I remember when I was shooting outside of Pittsburgh someone told me a story about rejection that I've always held with me. 


Here goes:


Pittsburgh and it's surrounding towns used to be the centre of the Steel industry back in the day.  Anyhow, when the Steel plants started closing; panic became widespread amongst the workers of the plant.  One plant in particular in Homestead, PA had a really tragic incident.  The day that pink slips were being handed out to the workers, the manager of the plant became despondent and hung himself outside of his office that evening after everyone had left.  Having worked in the plant his entire life, he couldn't go home to face his wife.  He couldn't imagine being unemployed.  He had no idea what he would do with the rest of his life, and so, in a moment of despair he hung himself rather than face the trials of unemployment, finding a new purpose, etc.


When they found his body the next morning, they noticed that he hadn't opened his envelope.  It was still sealed in the breast pocket of his work shirt.  When they opened the envelope, the letter inside was not a pink slip -- but rather, a notice of transfer to a different plant.  This man was not losing his job, but being rewarded for his hard work and dedication.


Sadly, he lost faith in himself and never realized this.


So -- the point is: rejection can only devastate you as much as you let it.  You don't know what opportunity/meeting/idea will spawn out of the rejection.  So DON'T let it debilitate you.  Use it to fuel you forward with more determination and purpose.


That is the key to success.


Otherwise, you're just hanging yourself too soon and for no good reason.

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