A friend and I got talking about rejections the other day as she spoke of a particularly bad one she had received via email.
I walked down memory lane myself and picked out my most memorable (read: strongest/worst at the time) rejection. I thought I would share. I had just met a Professor in university – we will not mention his real name – and I had written to him with a “learning” email that I mentioned I helped create, and would love to stay in touch with. His response was as follows.
Dear Rohan,
I would appreciate it if you could stop sending me these emails. They are meant for the intellectually disabled, and I doubt if I am.
_____________
I still remember looking at my computer screen in dismay then. I laugh about it now but the fact is that rejections like this can be really tough depending on where you are on the confidence curve.
Such rejections are a nice reminder of how difficult it can be to put yourself out there. They are also a lovely reminder to make sure we take absolute care when we say “no” to someone.
Then again, it follows my observation that the more you have failed yourself, the nicer you are to others..
A Learning a Day 