✋ Handling Rejection like a TopG

Developing immunity to rejection

Hey!

This is Neuro Diverse Diary! The weekly Newsletter for professionals with Neuro Differences. It’s that time for another insight into our different world!

NOBODY’S GONNA DIE

Being rejected is tough.

Especially for us neurodivergents. I grew up being scared of:

  • Hearing "no!"

  • Being criticised AND

  • Failure

It felt like the world came crashing down each time I experienced these!

I grew up with a friend who I suspect has ADHD too. One thing I admired about him was that he doesn't give a f*ck (potential impulsivity).

I observed him and thought this guy made better progress than me in certain aspects. He's:

  • Forward

  • Knows what he wants

  • Isn't concerned about hearing 'no' or ‘kicked to the curb’

  • He bounces back quick

I complimented him and said that's a skill I want.

If you know me I'm ambitious, but the fear of rejection would sometimes get the better of me. Oxymoron

Not to brag but, these are the things I've attained through the years

  • Mrs ADHD Exec and family 👨‍👩‍👦 

  • A decent career in Finance 💻️ 

  • Financial Freedom 🤑

  • Peace of mind 💆 

I swear, I'm not saying this to brag, stay with me here:

For me to attain these things, I would've had to face the risk of rejection from the following:

  • Getting kicked to the curb by MRS ADHD Exec

  • Rejection from the companies I applied for

But each time I got:

  • Rejected

  • Criticised or

  • Faced failure setbacks

It toughened me, and I grew resilience along the way.

I dont know if my fear of rejection is completly gone, but I've seen crazy improvement upon reflection in my professional and personal life!

My approach to help me take action rather than being fearful of rejection is:

  • "If you don't ask you don't get"

  • "It's a numbers game" - I learned this in a sales roles

  • “What’s the worst that can happen?”

  • “You've got nothing to lose”

Final thoughts

When I think about the success stories of some of the big-boy companies and favourite entrepreneurs.

  • Elong Musk: Tesla - Autism

  • Richard Brandson: Virgin - ADHD & Dyslexia

  • Ingvar Kamprad: Ikea - ADHD & Dyslexia

They've faced a fair amount a rejection and failure before they eventually took off.

RECAP

  1. Rejection is a tough one and can do a number on you

  2. Rejection, failure, and criticism can teach you resilience

  3. Nothing catastrophic is gonna happen if you hear no. (Easier said than done)

MEME OF THE WEEK

Finally,

If you liked this post, or know someone who may find this helpful, please spread the love and encourage them to subscribe. neurodiversediary.io

Stay Different,

The ADHD Exec

Disclaimer: I am not your psychiatrist, coach, doctor. Neurodiverse Diary does not provide medical services or professional counselling and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Everything I publish represents my opinions, experience, not advice.

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