Were you recently rejected? Or did it happen a while ago and it still stings? It’s normal for those feelings to linger, so no shame.

Let’s talk about the truth about rejection.

Rejection is what success stories are made of.

Every successful person, no matter what industry or dream, has been rejected. It’s par for the course. Some people were rejected more times than you’d think.

Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, had to ask 144 publishers to publish his book before he got a yes. He even had something like 20,000 people sign a form saying they would buy the book to show as proof. And still, they got 144 no’s. Think about that for a second. Can you imagine trying 144 times to get a yes? Most people would give up or take it as a sign that it wasn’t meant to happen. But the truth is, you’re the only one who gets to decide what you’re meant for. Jack knew he was meant to publish this book and he was right. “Chicken Soup For The Soul” became a $90 million industry.

Jamie Kern Lima, while pitching her makeup line to investors, made it to the very last round where it seemed like she was finally going to get a yes after years of trying. At the end of her presentation, the man in charge told her they were going to pass. She asked for feedback and he said that her makeup line was really great, he just didn’t think women would buy makeup from someone who looked like her with her weight. Like…WHAT. Can you imagine getting that rejection? In person? Fortunately, Jamie followed her intuition, knowing he was wrong. She ended up selling her makeup line for $1.2 Billion to L’Oreal.

These real-life stories help me so much. It’s inspiring to hear that so many successful people were rejected just like I’ve been, and still went on to be massively successful.

So, if you’ve been rejected, congratulations! You’re on the right track.

(More about the Truth About Rejection in my book Meant For This, Chapter 11.)