Fear of Rejection

The psychologist Abraham Maslow identified humans’ hierarchy of needs. According to this hierarchy our need to belong is hugely important to us – just after survival needs such as physical safety and food, and even more important than self-actualisation and beauty.

This makes sense. We’re herd animals. In our tribal days we’d never have survived on our own. So belonging is another aspect to our survival. Now, of course people rejecting us nowadays isn’t going to lead to our death. But our subconscious doesn’t know that. That’s what makes rejection so terrifying. 

And of course, as entrepreneurs we’re all-but-guaranteeing rejection! 

Every time we make a sales call we’re risking and experiencing rejection. Every time we speak in public we’re risking rejection (even if it isn’t overt, who knows what those people are thinking of us!). No wonder public speaking is one of the biggest fears. 

Rejection is also an aspect to fear of failure. People might well think less of us if we fail. That’s hard.

Indeed, it’s even more complex than that. If we fail we’re risking rejection; but also, if we succeed we’re risking rejection.  

The more comfortable we can get with rejection - both the fear of it, and the reality of it, the more quickly we’ll succeed. This makes sense. If you can happily keep making sales calls, no matter who says no to your pitch, by sheer numbers you'll find success sooner. But if the rejection causes you to avoid making sales calls - well, the result is obvious. No sales.

To become comfortable with this kind of rejection, so that you can forge ahead fearlessly, contact me.