Confidence / Handling Rejection / Lesson 35

LESSON 35 · HANDLING REJECTION

Stories of Famous People Who Heard No

Thirty-two stories and lessons from famous people who heard no, and what their persistence can teach you.

Rejection is part of every great story. Borrow their courage.

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.

TIP 1

Famous people heard no too

Many well-known people were turned down before they succeeded. Their stories, as widely reported, show that rejection is a common part of long careers rather than a sign of failure.

TRY THIS
Pick one story to read in full.

TIP 2

J.K. Rowling

The first Harry Potter manuscript was reportedly turned down by about a dozen publishers before Bloomsbury accepted it. She has spoken openly about struggling during those years.

TRY THIS
Look up her own account.

TIP 3

Stephen King

King has described how his novel Carrie collected many rejection slips and how he nearly gave up on it. His wife, Tabitha, reportedly encouraged him to continue.

TRY THIS
Read his book On Writing.

TIP 4

The Beatles

The Beatles were reportedly rejected by Decca Records in 1962 before signing with EMI’s Parlophone. Early noes did not decide their future.

TRY THIS
Remember that one company’s taste is not final.

TIP 5

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah has said she was removed from a television anchor job early in her career. She later built a media career on a different path.

TRY THIS
Look up how she described it.

TIP 6

Walt Disney

Disney’s early business Laugh-O-Gram Studio went bankrupt in the 1920s before he built a larger studio. Stories differ in detail, but the setback is well documented.

TRY THIS
Read a biography.

TIP 7

Michael Jordan

Jordan has said he missed thousands of shots and lost hundreds of games, and that this is why he succeeded. It is part of a well-known Nike advertisement.

TRY THIS
Use the idea of “misses”.

TIP 8

Thomas Edison

Edison reportedly tested very many materials for the light bulb filament and treated failures as learning. Accounts vary, but the spirit of repeated experiments is well recorded.

TRY THIS
Treat each no as an experiment.

TIP 9

Albert Einstein

Einstein had difficulty finding an academic post after graduating and worked in a patent office. His career grew from there.

TRY THIS
Remember detours.

TIP 10

Vincent van Gogh

Van Gogh sold few paintings during his lifetime. Recognition came later. Success is not always immediate.

TRY THIS
Create for love too.

TIP 11

Colonel Sanders

Harland Sanders reportedly pitched his chicken recipe to many restaurants before it grew into a franchise. Details vary, but the story is widely told.

TRY THIS
Treat numbers as normal.

TIP 12

Steve Jobs

Jobs was pushed out of Apple in 1985 and later returned. He called the experience painful but formative in a well-known 2005 speech.

TRY THIS
Read the speech.

TIP 13

James Dyson

Dyson has said he built thousands of prototypes before his bagless vacuum worked. Perseverance was key.

TRY THIS
Count your prototypes.

TIP 14

Sara Blakely

The Spanx founder has said her father encouraged her to share what she failed at each week. She has described failure as the real loss only when you don’t try.

TRY THIS
Try the weekly failure chat.

TIP 15

Jack Ma

Jack Ma has said he was rejected from many jobs and schools before founding Alibaba. Accounts of the exact number vary.

TRY THIS
Treat numbers lightly.

TIP 16

Lady Gaga

Gaga has spoken of being dropped by a label early in her career before breaking through. Industry timelines shift.

TRY THIS
Keep making work.

TIP 17

Dr. Seuss

His first book was reportedly rejected by many publishers before Vanguard Press published it. Accounts differ on the number.

TRY THIS
Share the story.

TIP 18

Why long careers include noes

Careers last decades, so even highly successful people collect many rejections along the way. The count of noes grows with the count of attempts.

TRY THIS
Say, “More attempts, more noes, more chances.”

TIP 19

Octavia Butler

Butler faced early rejections and persisted, using daily writing habits that she described in interviews.

TRY THIS
Read her notes.

TIP 20

Why we hear only the wins

Newspapers and biographies focus on the final success, so the long stretch of noes before it is easy to miss. Looking for the early chapters gives a truer picture.

TRY THIS
Read the early chapters of one biography.

TIP 21

Scene: when you feel alone

Remember that countless creators and leaders have been exactly where you are.

TRY THIS
Read a short biography.

TIP 22

Scene: when you want to quit

Look up how someone you admire handled a hard stretch.

TRY THIS
Find their story.

TIP 23

Scene: when you compare

You see their yes, not their noes.

TRY THIS
Search for their early years.

TIP 24

Scene: when you need hope

Stories of persistence give energy.

TRY THIS
Keep a list.

TIP 25

Scene: with kids

Share age-appropriate stories of persistence.

TRY THIS
Read together.

TIP 26

Scene: at work

Share a story at a team meeting to normalise setbacks.

TRY THIS
Pick a short one.

TIP 27

Check your sources

Stories get embellished. Prefer interviews, autobiographies and reputable biographies.

TRY THIS
Verify before sharing.

TIP 28

Use hedged language

Say “reportedly” when you’re unsure. Honesty builds trust.

TRY THIS
Be careful.

TIP 29

Look for ordinary heroes too

Friends and family have rejection stories. Ask them.

TRY THIS
Interview someone.

TIP 30

Keep a "stories" file

Save the stories that move you.

TRY THIS
Start it.

TIP 31

Pair stories with action

After reading, take one step.

TRY THIS
Act now.

TIP 32

Notice themes

Persistence, learning, support and adaptation repeat.

TRY THIS
Write the themes.

TIP 33

Notice the timeline

Success usually took years.

TRY THIS
Be patient.

TIP 34

Notice the help

Most had mentors, friends or luck. Seek help too.

TRY THIS
Ask someone.

TIP 35

Notice the pivots

Many changed direction. Flexibility is allowed.

TRY THIS
Consider options.

TIP 36

Notice the cost

They also felt pain. Be gentle with yourself.

TRY THIS
Be kind.

TIP 37

Notice what you share

You share courage with them.

TRY THIS
Say thanks.

TIP 38

Write your own chapter

Your story with rejection will help someone one day.

TRY THIS
Journal it.

TIP 39

Check the date and source

When you read a story online, look for the original interview or book. A claim without a source may be a legend.

TRY THIS
Find one primary source.

TIP 40

Close with company

Say, “I’m in good company.”

TRY THIS
Write it.

Easy things to say

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

READ

“I read how many times they were turned down.”

SHARE

“Did you know this author was rejected twelve times?”

REFLECT

“If they quit, we would have missed it.”

PLAN

“I will keep trying too.”

THANK

“Thanks for the inspiration.”

CLOSE

“My story is still unfolding.”

Your first week

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

DAY 1
Read a biography

DAY 2
Pick a hero

DAY 3
Note their noes

DAY 4
Notice their habits

DAY 5
Compare with your path

DAY 6
Borrow a habit

DAY 7
Share the story

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.

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.