Nothing stings like the pain of rejection. You’ve invested so much time and energy into your innovation or invention that hearing the word ‘no’ is like a dagger to your heart.
But a refusal is not the end of the journey as many successful innovators have discovered on their way to ultimate success.
Here are a few standout quotes from prominent people to help ease the hurt:
“I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat” – Sylvester Stallone, actor, writer, director
“Every great advance in natural knowledge has involved the absolute rejection of authority” – Thomas Huxley, biologist
“An objection is not a rejection; it is simply a request for more information” – Bo Bennett, businessman and author
“I think that you have to believe in your destiny; that you will succeed, you will meet a lot of rejection and it is not always a straight path, there will be detours – so enjoy the view” – Michael York, actor
“There’s nothing like rejection to make you do an inventory of yourself” – James Lee Burke, author
“True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful” – Paul Sweeney, author
“Some actors couldn’t figure out how to withstand the constant rejection. They couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel” – Harrison Ford, actor and producer
“I always feel like rejection is my petrol. That’s what keeps me going” – Laura Kightlinger, actress, comedian and writer