The hardest thing about my line of work is facing the daily rejection. It’s kind of interesting that I’ve spent a lifetime pursuing things that are so riddled with potential for rejection. As a performer, an artist and a writer every time I put myself out there with an audition or a query or a concept...I’m accepting that the odds are fairly high that someone else who holds the cards is going to say, “No.” Every time I publish a book or an article or I stand on a stage and sing a song or perform in a play or make a video or post a new blog, I’m putting myself out there for folks to judge.
They might say, “no” in a compassionate way or they might not. They might love me or they might think I stink. I’ve had more than my fair share of resounding, cataclysmic, cruel “NO’S!” That’s part of the deal of doing what I do. I have to throw as much crap at the wall as I can and hope that some small percentage of it sticks. Then I have to realize that some of what didn’t stick is worth resurrecting and some of it is just...crap.
Sometimes it’s a very fine distinction.
I’ve had a very nice run of a lot of ‘yes’ for about five years now. I’m now hitting a ‘no’ wall. I’m trying to ascertain if I’ve veered terribly off course or if I’m just knocking at the wrong doors. Maybe I’m just ahead of my time...it wouldn’t be the first time. Or maybe I’m completely off the mark. Although I’d like to think I lay all golden eggs, I admit that sometimes I just lay an egg.
The metaphors are flying, everybody duck!
I’ve got a lot of big things on the chopping block right now. I’m taking some very big risks that at least one of these things is going to pay off. The bad news is that some of them have not and the good news (I’m going to tell myself) is that it’s because I couldn’t possibly manifest all of that straw and then manage to spin it. I’m telling myself that because I believe that at least one of these big ideas will pay off. I’ve got big ideas and I’ve got barrels full of chutzpah, moxie and unmitigated gall.
Some of the most successful people have soldiered on in spite of extraordinary amounts of rejection. I intend to be one of them. I know that often we’re rejected because we simply don’t fit the box into which the folks in charge want us to squeeze. I’ve never been one for boxes. Just try to squeeze me in there, buddy.
Yesterday I had a good cry and today I’m back in the saddle again. That’s the roller coaster ride that is the life of The Impatient Crafter™! Everybody raise their hands in the air and yell “WOO HOO!”
xoxo
Madge
6 comments:
When you are in a sea of rejection, just keep looking forward and listen for that one small "yes". That is why we do what we do.
That one...
small...
yes.
Boxes not allowed, unless they are covered in sparklies :).
Penny \IiiI
Texan landed in Michigan
Desert Heart Beads
Your spirit is so inspiring, Margot. I feel confident that you'll keep on manifesting wonderful new opportunities. Sorry to hear of the bad events of this week. XO
I can relate to everything you've said. I was a shy child growing up with a very low self-esteem so to choose a creative career that is often riddiculed with rejection blows my mind.
Sometimes, I hold back simply becuase I don't want to face the idea of rejection--which of course never allows me to live to my full potential.
Other times, like you've I've cried until the tears could no longer come simply because I didn't please somebody or some business that I had hoped to impress, all the while wondering if it was me who sucked or simply the fact that my idea didn't fit the business's overall plans and direction.
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again. Oh, darn anothe metaphor. Just thought I'd join in.
All kidding aside,the percentages are with you. Keep on, keeping on. Ooops, another one.
"Did George Bush quit when he lost the popular vote for President? No.
Did he quit when he lost a bunch of money running his father's friend's oil company? No.
Did he quit when he had sex with that woman and his parents made him get an abortion? No.
Did he quit when he got a DWI? No.
Did he quit after getting arrested for drunk and disorderly at that football game? No.
Did he quit after losing his bid for Congress? No. Absolutely not."
- Peter Griffin, Family Guy
Margo,
Thank you so much for posting this! I recently wrote a similar entry a couple months back and must say it is a comfort to know many of us are not alone in feeling the ups and downs of living the creative life! Hang in there and thanks for sharing so openly and honestly.
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