Rejection can (and almost always does) sting. After all, no one likes to hear the word "no," and oftentimes people will dwell on that particular moment for far longer than they would care to admit. It can have a lasting impression. Instead of burying your head in the sand and giving up, however, take a moment to admit defeat and move on. After all, some people say that true success does not happen until you've heard the word no many times. Successful people understand how to turn rejection into an opportunity. Below are a few ways to turn a no" into a "yes" or at the very least, a maybe.
Figure Out What Isn't Working: Oftentimes, people say no because it's the quickest, most efficient way to get rid of you and return to whatever they were doing before you showed up. This doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't interested in whatever it is you're offering. Make sure to find out why the perspective buyer or customer is declining your offer, and try to get them to express exactly what it is that's so undesirable. It could simply be that he or she needs more information, or they have a concern that you can easily resolve.
Learn From Failure: Every meeting or project you undertake provides endless opportunities for feedback that can (and will) improve your future prospects. Losing a deal is part of conducting all business, and in order to turn this into success, you should immediately take responsibility for the loss. Think about what worked and what didn't in that particular situation. How can you improve? Be sure to ask why the person/people rejected your proposal and see if they have any suggestions for how you can improve in the future. Afterwards, you can take this information to modify your pitch for future meetings.
Remove the Word "I": It is a big mistake to approach prospective buyers or customers with a lot of "I" statements, i.e., "I can help you with..." or "I can provide...". You'll quickly discover that people care most about their own challenges, concerns, needs, and wants. If you focus the conversation on whomever it is that you're trying to win over, they are ten times more likely to engage with you. Remember to replace an "I" with a "you," and you'll see a world of difference.
Refuse To Take No For An Answer: People often say no at first, mainly because it is the easiest response. Well, refuse to let them get away with that. Instead, demonstrate how willing you are to work with them and prove that you are truly interested in helping them improve or gain something that will change their life for the better. Do your research before you meet with anyone, and make sure that you have prepared plenty of talking points, so you are ready to battle any possible objection you might receive. After all, polite persistence often pays off.
Remain Adaptable: No matter how mature your business is or how successful you have become, there will always be challenges. Make sure that you are willing to adapt your proposals and pitches with new information that you have garnered from your rejections and successes. Treat each rejection as a practice for winning your next deal. Additionally, you should share what you have learned with your colleagues, as this will also inspire them to share more ideas with you.
Bottom Line: Everyone wins and everyone loses on occasion. In order to truly succeed, you'll have to learn how to change the way you think about failure so that you can succeed.
