Why Not Take it Personally?

Turning Rejection into Redirection

"Please cancel our subscription." Ouch. In my subscription-based business, this type of rejection is something you don't want to experience. It is never fun, but sometimes inevitable. After all, though the product may be full of great information, it's just not going to interest some people. So look at it objectively, right? It's nothing personal. Or is it?

I admit it. This rejection knocked me down for a little while and when I shared the situation with someone close to me, he reminded me not to take it personally.

How often have you heard that advice, or given it?

The problem is, it's nearly impossible NOT to take something personally when you or someone/something close to you are rejected. If the professor didn't like your paper as well as you hoped; your significant other didn't notice all the effort you put into something, your customers want a refund, or the event you've planned for months has poor attendance, you begin to feel "Why did I bother?" Admit it--you feel personally rejected.

So I got to thinking that since rejection is unavoidable, perhaps there could be some good reasons to "take it personally," and turn a rejection into a redirection. Here are some ways I can do that:

Remember that I am in good company.

Jesus was and is rejected regularly. And yes, I believe He feels and felt it personally--after all, the reason He came was to seek and save people from sin...an action resulting from His great love. Look at Matthew 23:27. Does that sound like a God who isn't taking rejection personally? Since the Son of God experiences rejection, why should I assume I never will?

Embrace my passion.

Part of the sting of rejection comes because it usually relates to something close to me. "Taking it personally" confirms how much my heart is in it!

Check my motives.