Let’s talk about the ugly side of seeking opportunities…rejection.

June & July were roughhhh… I spent the spring applying for summer speaking opportunities in full expectation that my city girl summer would be spent teaching women how to ask for and earn what they’re worth.

Until I got rejected 3 times…in 1 day.

First rejection email – literally, “I think we’ll pass.”

Second email – “Our sponsorship didn’t come through so we can’t pay you.”

Third email – After several emails saying that I was a top pick only to get, “yeah so, unless you want to be a $3K level event sponsor, you’re out.”

Me: “Wait just a damn minute!!”

*cue an ugly cry breakdown that included questioning my gifts, feeling inadequate, and considering closing up shop and quitting*

Have you ever felt like that?

Here’s the thing about rejection…it hurts and it feels personal. Like really, really personal.

But it’s not personal. In most cases, it’s just business. The person, ok, fine, the people who made the decision didn’t know me well enough to reject me…they rejected a speaker whose name just so happened to be Ashley Cash…see the difference?

If you’re looking for a new job by year end or heck, ever, you might face rejection.

Rejection does not reduce our gifts and talents, remember that. It is not an indication that we are inadequate or that we should quit. Rejection reminds us to be resilient, to keep going, to stand firm in who we are, and who and what is worthy of our magic.

Bey said it best, “a winner doesn’t quit on themselves.”

You’re a winner, remember that.

To the next yes,

Ashley