No matter what career you’ve chosen or what industry you work in, it is totally normal to encounter rejection, it’s a part of life in general. Whether you haven’t been accepted for university, you didn’t get the job you wanted, or a customer didn’t buy the product or service you were selling; these rejections all teach us valuable lessons.Let’s use the example of being told no by a customer. How did it make you feel at the time? Offended, embarrassed, frustrated, disappointed? These are all common and very normal reactions to being rejected but the important part is how we deal with these emotions.For some people, these emotions will feel so uncomfortable that they will do anything to avoid feeling them again and that could have a detrimental effect on their career.Instead, it is important to acknowledge these emotions and figure out what you can do differently to change the result. There is no shame in feeling ‘negative’ emotions such as fear, anxiety or embarrassment, in fact they are a sign that you’re pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone which is fantastic because it will help you grow as a person.Remember the famous quote “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be where you’ve always been.” This tells us that if you’re always using the same approach when you meet with customers, you’re likely to always get the same result. Therefore, if this result is rejection, the only way to change it is to change your approach.Think about what you can do differently whether it’s building a stronger relationship from the outset or tailoring your approach to each individual you work with. Trial as many new and different ways as you possibly can and measure your success rate to see what’s working best for you. The same applies whether its for a job interview, making new connections or even asking for a promotion!The key is not letting rejection stop you from trying again and again. Perseverance is what will get you the answer you want! I like to use the analogy of a nagging toddler. Imagine a toddler who wants sweets or a new toy, do they stop asking after the first no? Of course not! They ask again and again and again until someone gives in! If someone tells you no, don’t consider it a no forever, consider it a no for now. People’s circumstances change on a daily basis and your approach will change and develop over time so be persistent and don’t give up!Experiencing rejection and learning from it makes you resilient and this is a skill that will benefit you in all aspects of life. It’s a skill that will be the making of your success so embrace rejection, take lessons and essential skills from it and keep moving forward with your goals.For more business advice and insights visit my blog.