It’s Not You, It’s Sales
Why Rejections Aren’t Personal
Rejections are part of the sales job. Every salesperson experiences them, but how you handle rejection defines your success. It’s easy to take a "no" personally, especially when it's delivered harshly. But in sales, rejection isn't an attack on your abilities or worth; it’s just part of the process. Let me share a story that taught me this invaluable lesson.
The Story
A while ago, I reached out to a prospect on LinkedIn. I’d sent him a personalized connection request, and he accepted it the day before. Feeling good about it, I followed up the next day. But instead of a conversation, I got one of the rudest responses I’ve ever received.
He replied: “You think you’re doing a great job, but you suck. Stop.”
For a moment, it stung. My confidence took a hit, and I wondered if I had done something wrong. But I had a strong process in place, and I knew rejections were part of the job. So I decided to move on to my next prospects.
Then, two weeks later, I saw this same person post in a sales community chat asking for data providers for APAC and HR Tech. It was exactly what we specialized in. Without hesitation, I messaged him again, referencing his community post. Within two hours, we had a meeting scheduled.
And guess what? We closed the deal in less than 3 months.
Why You Shouldn’t Take Rejections Personally
Rejections often feel personal, but in reality, they’re not. In sales, rejection usually comes down to timing, external factors, or the prospect’s current priorities. The prospect in my story wasn’t rejecting me—he was dealing with his own frustrations and pressures, and I happened to be in the line of fire.
If you take every rejection personally, it can damage your confidence and hinder your progress. But when you recognize that a rejection is rarely about you, you can keep moving forward without losing momentum. Most of the time, it’s about timing, budgets, or other factors beyond your control. Your job is to keep pushing, knowing that "no" is just a step toward a future "yes."
is to keep pushing, knowing that "no" is just a step toward a future "yes."
How to Deal With Rejections: Actionables
So how can you develop the resilience to handle rejections in sales? Here are a few actionable tips:
- Separate Yourself from the Outcome: Remember that rejection is not a reflection of your worth or abilities. A "no" today doesn't define your skills as a salesperson. Always remind yourself that it's about the offer, timing, or circumstances, not you personally.
- Stick to Your Process: Have a strong, repeatable process in place. Whether it’s prospecting, outreach, or follow-up, sticking to your process will give you the consistency you need to succeed, even when rejections happen.
- Learn from Each Rejection: Take rejections as an opportunity to reflect. Was there something you could have done differently? Were you off on the timing, or was the prospect simply not the right fit? Instead of dwelling on the "no," focus on what you can improve for next time.
- Keep Moving Forward: Don’t let rejection slow you down. Move on to the next prospect, the next call, or the next email. Every no gets you one step closer to a yes.
- Maintain a Positive Attitude: Sales is a game of persistence and resilience. Keep your energy high, stay positive, and trust that your efforts will pay off in time.
How to Deal With Rejections: Actionables
In sales, rejections are inevitable. But they’re not personal—they’re just part of the job. The key is to separate yourself from the outcome and keep pushing forward. Stick to your process, learn from every interaction, and trust that persistence will bring success. Just because someone says no today doesn’t mean they won’t say yes tomorrow.
Rejections don’t define you. They’re just part of the journey to becoming a better, more resilient salesperson.
