In this section, we want to show you that rejection isn’t always a bad thing. One day, you might even be grateful for it because it opened new, better paths for you. The most important thing is: never stop believing in yourself – just like these people:
1. Jay-Z
Born in a troubled neighborhood and raised without a father, he dealt drugs as a teenager. He was involved in three shootings, and at age twelve, he shot his brother in the shoulder because he took his jewelry. Without his passion for music, he likely would have ended up in prison. He dreamed of becoming a rapper, but no label wanted to give him a chance. So what did he do? He started his own label and released his first album.
“The motivation for me was that they told me what I couldn’t be.”
2. Jack Ma
Chinese entrepreneur, billionaire, and founder of China’s largest online retailer, Aliexpress. His story is unbelievable: he failed high school three times, was only accepted to university after several attempts, and got rejected from over 30 job applications. When he applied to the police, every candidate was accepted except him. At KFC, 23 of 24 applicants were hired – Jack Ma was the only one rejected. He applied to Harvard ten times – and was never accepted.
“I didn’t fail – I just found ten thousand ways that didn’t work.”
3. Steve Jobs
In 1985, he was fired from Apple with the approval of most employees. “I didn’t see it that way at the time, but getting fired from Apple turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me,” he later said.
Ten years later, he was brought back – a turning point for Apple. Without him, the company might never have achieved global success. Instead of falling into despair, Jobs used the time to enter the most creative phase of his life.
Conclusion
These individuals share more than just success. They all never gave up and didn’t let rejection discourage them. Did you know Walt Disney was fired for “lack of imagination” – and received 302 rejections from investors before Disneyland was created? Or that Picasso created about 50,000 works, of which only 100 are considered masterpieces?
Some setbacks are actually a push toward something greater. If Jack Ma had been hired at KFC, he might never have made the Forbes list. Believe in yourself, work hard, and trust that everything will happen at the right time.
“Those who don’t let themselves be discouraged eventually get what they want.”
