MOST of us are scared of rejection. I remember years ago, when I worked as a salesman in my dad’s company. So, there were times when I nearly made a sale but the customer would say that he would call the next day and confirm the order. I would come back excited and tell dad I had nearly got an order.
“When will we know Bob?” he would ask patiently. “Tomorrow,” I would say and would go to sleep happy I was so close to a sales victory. The next day arrived and arrived very soon. “Let the customer call!” I would say to myself and then wait impatiently next to the phone.
“So, have you finalized the deal son?” “Not yet!” I would tell him. The day would pass and I knew I was too much of a coward to find out whether I had won the order or lost the deal. Rejection is hard to take. Whether it comes from someone you know or don’t know.
As I recall, the different cartoons lampooning Ravi Shastri, coach of the Indian cricket team, after they lost the World Cup, I think of what football coach Bum Phillips once said, “There’s only two kinds of coaches — them that’s been fired and them that’s about to be fired.” Now there is an occupation that is familiar with rejection!
Few things hold people back more than the fear of rejection. They don’t ask for what they need because the answer may be no. They don’t ask their boss for a raise or for more time off. They don’t ask for help from people they do not know well. They are afraid to be the first to say, “I love you.” They don’t submit that manuscript to be considered for publishing. In short, they don’t let their wants and needs be known, for fear of being turned away.
But the wonderful truth is this: If you can accept NO for an answer, you can ask for anything!” When it is okay to be rejected, you can fearlessly ask for whatever you need.
‘Ask and you shall receive!’ say the scriptures, but if you don’t ask you won’t receive! So, don’t be afraid to ask! All they can say is NO! And you may be surprised at the number of people willing to help. They were waiting to be asked. What do you need to ask for today?
As a salesman it was difficult for me to make that call, but as time went by I realized to be a good salesman I had to face what I thought would be rejection, and how surprised when time after time I found that rejection wasn’t waiting for me at the other end:
“Hi! This is Bob, about that decision of yours, sir?” “Bob, we’ve been waiting for your call, come over and let’s sign the deal!” Handle your fear of rejection and watch yourself grow! And do remember, Ravi Shastri came back as coach..!
