The Power of Rejection: Yes Lives in the Land of No
“You can achieve anything you want in life if you’re willing to receive a thousand no’s”
As a musician, rejection is a big part of the gig.
No matter how much heart I pour into my work, how many hours I spend practicing, or how much talent I bring - rejection is inevitable. But instead of letting it crush my spirit, I’ve learned to embrace it as a powerful tool for growth, redirection, and reinvention. Rejection has become one of the most valuable teachers of my career.
Hearing another “no” doesn’t mean I’m not good enough. It doesn’t mean I’m failing, or that my dreams are out of reach. It’s simply feedback. It’s the universe’s way of guiding me toward new paths and bigger opportunities. Rejection shifts my perspective, realigns me with my purpose, and ultimately brings me closer to the success I’m meant to have.
Rejection as the Creative Pathway
Rejection’s been a constant companion throughout my journey. I remember auditioning for an undergraduate flute performance program early on in my career. It took me five auditions before I was accepted. It wasn’t for a lack of passion or musical expression; my sound was something I was truly proud of. But my technique just wasn’t where it needed to be.
The first few “no’s” were crushing. I knew I had something special to offer, but my technical skills didn’t quite measure up. Those rejections were really tough, but they pushed me to improve. Instead of giving up, I worked relentlessly on my technique, always returning stronger. By the fifth time, my technical abilities had caught up with my artistic vision, and I was finally accepted into the flute performance program.
That experience taught me that rejection isn’t a measure of my worth; it’s an opportunity to refine and grow. It showed me that success is rarely a straight path, and perseverance through rejection often makes the end result more rewarding.
Rejection as Redirection
Another pivotal rejection came when I auditioned for Cirque du Soleil. I’ve always been an out-of-the-box thinker, and the idea of joining the circus, traveling the world while playing my flutes, seemed like the perfect fit. But the competition was fierce, and the audition process was intense. When I didn’t get the role, I was devastated. I had poured so much of myself into that audition, and hearing "no" felt like a personal failure.
Rejection from Cirque du Soleil made me reconsider my entire approach to my craft and my career. It encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, to take on different projects, and to reimagine my artistry. If I had gotten that role, I might have missed out on the growth that rejection brought me. Rejection, as it turns out, is often the spark for new opportunities.
The Emotional Process of Rejection
I’m not immune to the sting of rejection. Just this year, I’ve already received nine “no’s”.
The word “no” hits me hard every time. It’s easy to feel discouraged, to question my worth, and to wonder if I’m on the right path. I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel upset when it happens. It’s okay to vent, to let myself feel angry, sad or frustrated. I allow myself a day to process those emotions. Then, I remind myself that rejection is NOT a reflection of my worth. It’s just feedback, a way to guide me toward new paths, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. Each “no” has brought me closer to the person I am today.
Staying Fresh and Relevant
One of the most important things I’ve learned from rejection is how it keeps me fresh and relevant. In an ever-evolving world where new trends are always emerging, comfort can be the enemy of growth. Rejection challenges me to stay curious and take risks. It pushes me to constantly reinvent myself and my work.
It’s about daring to be uncomfortable, of experimenting and failing, that ultimately leads to our musical evolution. Rejection is the perfect teacher for this - because it’s not about the “no’s” themselves, but how we respond to them that makes all the difference.
Embracing Rejection: The Gift of Learning
For every “no” I receive, I ask myself, “What can I learn from this?” It’s the willingness to grow through rejection that ultimately leads to our success.
It’s not about avoiding rejection; it’s about continuing to move forward despite it. The most successful artists aren’t the ones who’ve never faced rejection - they’re the ones who’ve learned from it and kept going.
The Power of Resilience
At this point in my career, I’m proudly collecting a whole bunch of “no’s,” and I’m perfectly okay with it. In fact, I’m embracing it.
Every rejection brings me closer to the “yes” that matters. I’ve learned to see rejection not as something to fear, but as a gift that guides me toward new opportunities. It motivates me to reassess, reimagine, and stay true to my dreams.
Don’t ever let rejection make you think you’re not good enough. It’s never about lacking what it takes to pursue your dreams. In fact, rejection is proof that you’re on the right track - toward something bigger and better, even if you can’t see it yet.
See rejection as a gift. Keep pushing forward, because every “no” brings you one step closer to the breakthroughs you’ve been working for. Stay focused, trust the journey, and remember—your dreams are still within reach. Every “no” is just leading you one step closer to the success that’s uniquely yours.
Rozalind MacPhail is an award-winning musician, inspirational speaker and certified coach based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. One of Canada’s most buzzed about Di Zhao sponsored artists, she’s produced numerous solo albums, composed music for film and toured internationally over the last two decades.
