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Confidence / Handling Rejection / Lesson 26
LESSON 26 · HANDLING REJECTION

Rejection of Your Creative Work

Thirty-two ways to handle the rejection of your creative work, so your art survives the critics and you keep making it.

Creating means risking. Keep making, keep sharing.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from Rejection Proof (Jia Jiang), Grit (Angela Duckworth), The Obstacle Is the Way (Ryan Holiday), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Creative work is personal, so rejection stings
TIP 1

Creative work is personal, so rejection stings

When you pour yourself into a story, song or design, a no can feel like a no to you. Remember that creative judgments depend on taste, fit and timing, and many great works were rejected first.

TRY THIS
Say, “This was a no to the work at this moment.”
Photo for the tip: Read the famous stories
TIP 2

Read the famous stories

Dr. Seuss’s first book was reportedly rejected by many publishers, and Stephen King has described how Carrie was rejected before it was published. These are widely told stories of persistence.

TRY THIS
Look up one story.
Photo for the tip: Take a day to feel
TIP 3

Take a day to feel

Allow a day to feel disappointed. Creative people need space to mourn before they can create again.

TRY THIS
Plan a gentle day.
Photo for the tip: Put the work away
TIP 4

Put the work away

Leave the piece in a drawer for a week. Fresh eyes see more clearly.

TRY THIS
Close the file.
Photo for the tip: Reread with kindness
TIP 5

Reread with kindness

After a break, read as a reader would. Note what you love and what could improve.

TRY THIS
List both.
Photo for the tip: Find the audience
TIP 6

Find the audience

Your work may suit a different publisher, gallery, label or reader. Aim at people who love your style.

TRY THIS
Research three new targets.
Photo for the tip: Study who said yes
TIP 7

Study who said yes

Look at what editors, curators or labels accept. Understand their taste without bending your voice.

TRY THIS
Read recent releases.
Photo for the tip: Read submission guidelines
TIP 8

Read submission guidelines

Many rejections are about format, not quality. Follow guidelines exactly.

TRY THIS
Reread them.
Photo for the tip: Polish the first page
TIP 9

Polish the first page

Gatekeepers decide quickly. Make your opening shine.

TRY THIS
Rewrite it.
Photo for the tip: Send widely
TIP 10

Send widely

Submit to many places, within guidelines. Numbers help.

TRY THIS
Plan ten submissions.
Photo for the tip: Track submissions
TIP 11

Track submissions

Use a simple sheet with date, place, result and notes.

TRY THIS
Create it.
Photo for the tip: Join a critique group
TIP 12

Join a critique group

Other creators give feedback and support. Choose kind and honest peers.

TRY THIS
Find one.
Photo for the tip: Hire an editor or coach
TIP 13

Hire an editor or coach

Professional help can lift your work and confidence.

TRY THIS
Research options.
Photo for the tip: Share on your own
TIP 14

Share on your own

Self-publishing, exhibitions and social media let your work find audiences without gatekeepers.

TRY THIS
Share a piece.
Photo for the tip: Create more
TIP 15

Create more

A new piece shifts focus from the rejected one. Keep making.

TRY THIS
Start something small.
Photo for the tip: Create for fun
TIP 16

Create for fun

Play without expectations. Joy restores creativity.

TRY THIS
Make something just for you.
Photo for the tip: Create daily
TIP 17

Create daily

Short daily practice builds skill and resilience.

TRY THIS
Set 15 minutes.
Photo for the tip: Separate making from selling
TIP 18

Separate making from selling

Making is for you; selling is business. Treat them differently.

TRY THIS
Name the difference.
Photo for the tip: Define success broadly
TIP 19

Define success broadly

Success can mean finishing, learning, moving one reader or enjoying the process.

TRY THIS
List your measures.
Photo for the tip: Keep an inspiration folder
TIP 20

Keep an inspiration folder

Collect works that move you. Review it on hard days.

TRY THIS
Start it.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a publisher said no
TIP 21

Scene: a publisher said no

Thank them and send to the next. Write the next piece while you wait.

TRY THIS
Submit again.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a gallery declined
TIP 22

Scene: a gallery declined

Show in cafes, online or in group shows.

TRY THIS
Find alternatives.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a contest did not select you
TIP 23

Scene: a contest did not select you

Contests are subjective. Enter others.

TRY THIS
Choose another.
Photo for the tip: Scene: your song got no plays
TIP 24

Scene: your song got no plays

Share with friends and communities that love the genre.

TRY THIS
Find your niche.
Photo for the tip: Scene: your design was rejected by a client
TIP 25

Scene: your design was rejected by a client

Ask for details; revise; keep your portfolio strong.

TRY THIS
Seek clarity.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a reviewer was harsh
TIP 26

Scene: a reviewer was harsh

Pull out useful points; ignore cruelty.

TRY THIS
Filter.
Photo for the tip: Scene: your video got few views
TIP 27

Scene: your video got few views

Learn from analytics, keep making. Growth takes time.

TRY THIS
Review one metric.
Photo for the tip: Scene: your pitch to a producer failed
TIP 28

Scene: your pitch to a producer failed

Prepare a shorter version and try a smaller team.

TRY THIS
Refine.
Photo for the tip: Scene: your crafts did not sell
TIP 29

Scene: your crafts did not sell

Test prices, photos and venues. Small changes matter.

TRY THIS
Try one.
Photo for the tip: Scene: your family does not understand your art
TIP 30

Scene: your family does not understand your art

Seek peers who do.

TRY THIS
Join a group.
Photo for the tip: Guard against comparison
TIP 31

Guard against comparison

Others’ successes hide their struggles. Compare with your past self.

TRY THIS
Review your growth.
Photo for the tip: Guard against perfectionism
TIP 32

Guard against perfectionism

Finished beats perfect. Release and learn.

TRY THIS
Finish a piece.
Photo for the tip: Guard against burnout
TIP 33

Guard against burnout

Rest. Creativity needs space.

TRY THIS
Take a break.
Photo for the tip: Guard against over-editing
TIP 34

Guard against over-editing

Too many changes from every opinion can dilute your voice.

TRY THIS
Keep your core.
Photo for the tip: Guard against bitterness
TIP 35

Guard against bitterness

Celebrate other artists. Community lifts everyone.

TRY THIS
Cheer someone.
Photo for the tip: Protect your voice
TIP 36

Protect your voice

Learn from feedback but keep what is unique.

TRY THIS
Write your style in a line.
Photo for the tip: Protect your time
TIP 37

Protect your time

Set creation hours that no rejection can take.

TRY THIS
Schedule them.
Photo for the tip: Protect your joy
TIP 38

Protect your joy

Remember why you started.

TRY THIS
Write the reason.
Photo for the tip: Plan the next project
TIP 39

Plan the next project

Having something new keeps hope alive.

TRY THIS
Outline one.
Photo for the tip: Close with persistence
TIP 40

Close with persistence

Say, “I am a creator, and creators keep creating.”

TRY THIS
Write it.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

THANK

“Thank you for looking at my work.”

ASK

“Which part felt weakest to you?”

REFLECT

“That is interesting feedback.”

PLAN

“I will revise and try again.”

SHARE

“I made something, and I am proud of it.”

CLOSE

“I will keep creating.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Make it
DAY 2
Share it
DAY 3
Expect noes
DAY 4
Wait before reading
DAY 5
Sort the feedback
DAY 6
Revise
DAY 7
Make the next one

Further reading

  • Rejection Proof (Jia Jiang)
  • Grit (Angela Duckworth)
  • The Obstacle Is the Way (Ryan Holiday)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

← All Handling Rejection lessons
Next lesson: When You Are Left Out →

More lessons in “Handling Rejection”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Rejection of Your Ideas at WorkNext: When You Are Left Out →

  1. Rejection Feels Like Physical Pain, Here Is Why
  2. It Is Information, Not an Insult
  3. Most Noes Are Not About You
  4. The Stories You Tell Yourself After a No
  5. Separate Who You Are From What Happened
  6. Why Everyone Gets Rejected
  7. The Cost of Never Asking
  8. Breathe Before You React
  9. Allow Five Minutes to Feel It
  10. Shake It Out and Reset
  11. Do Not Reply While Hurt
  12. Talk to a Friend, Not a Mirror
  13. Write the Facts, Not the Fear
  14. Take a Short Walk
  15. Ask What You Can Learn
  16. Request Feedback Without Fear
  17. Spot the Pattern Across Your Noes
  18. Fix One Thing at a Time
  19. Keep a Rejection Log
  20. Turn a No Into a Better Try
  21. Celebrate Asking, Not Just Winning
  22. Rejection After a Job Interview
  23. Rejection in Dating
  24. When a Friend Pulls Away
  25. Rejection of Your Ideas at Work
  26. Rejection of Your Creative Work
  27. When You Are Left Out
  28. Rejection by Someone You Love
  29. The Hundred-Noes Challenge
  30. Make Small Asks Every Day
  31. Ask for a Discount, Just to Practise
  32. Laugh When You Hear No
  33. Say Thank You After a No
  34. Ask Again in a New Way
  35. Stories of Famous People Who Heard No
  36. Protect Your Confidence
  37. Stay Kind When You Reject Others
  38. Do Not Burn Bridges
  39. Build Resilience Slowly
  40. Your Personal Rejection Plan
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