Chapter 9 in "The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women" by Gail McKeekin is all about strategies for dealing with rejections and roadblocks. This is a great chapter. I've been thinking all week about how I will handle the "rejection letters" when I'm ready to start sending out my proposals. I'm looking forward to getting to that stepping stone in reaching my dreams. I've been imagining myself talking to various people about my project. I imagine that there will be some who will not "get it" and others who "get it" but are not in a position to make it happen. Gail points out that publishers have budgets, sales goals and limited resources. This all makes sense to me. I imagine myself evaluating my prospective business partners as I've evaluated prospective employers. It needs to be a win-win situation. Gail points out that it is important to approach interviews from a place of strength not desperation.
So how do we strengthen ourselves to prepare for rejection letters? For starters we have to believe in our projects and our skills.
The "soul" shield pictured above lists some of my roles and skills that I'm most proud of and wish to use in the future. To find these roles and skills I started by making a list of accomplishments. From there I could see the roles and qualities. This exercise reminded me of one that I did when I was interested in changing careers 10 years ago.
Here are the steps:
1. Draw three columns on a piece of paper.
2. List three accomplishments and place each one in a column. These don't have to be work related. They can be family or fun oriented. Be sure to list three accomplishments that you are proud of.
3. For each accomplishment list the skills that you used. Include both hard and soft skills. Hard skills are things like software or equipment. Soft skills are "people" skills like making clients feel comfortable when they visit the office.
4. List the things you liked about the accomplishment.
5. List the things you didn't like about the accomplishment.
6. List what others commended you on.
7. Look over your lists and circle things that show up in more than one column. Look for patterns in your lists. Are there skills that you used in all of them? What other similarities do you see?
8. Consider projects, jobs, or activities that use the skills that you love.
I found this exercise so helpful. What is one of your accomplishments in the last year?
Related Links
"12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women" by Gail McMeekin
The Next Chapter Blog Book Group with Jamie Ridler
Love the soul shield!
Posted by: Megan Warren | March 06, 2009 at 09:35 PM
This chapter to me was difficult but after reading some post I'm starting to see it in other lights.
Ok a little confession I under stood publishers have budgets, sales goals and limited resources.
But I use to think rejection some time was the politics of certain place.
Coffee is on.
Posted by: peppylady | March 06, 2009 at 10:07 PM
What a great exercise and beautiful Celtic knot too.
Posted by: Caroline | March 07, 2009 at 07:05 AM
BEAUTIFUL collage ... :)
Posted by: PEtra | March 07, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Oooh I love your Soul Shield.
And I really love this exercise, thank you!
Posted by: Danette | March 07, 2009 at 03:10 PM
I love love love your collage, the words and the indian inspired design.
Posted by: Fatma | March 07, 2009 at 08:45 PM
The soul shield is magnificent! Thank you for the exercise! :)
Posted by: Genie Sea | March 08, 2009 at 12:11 PM
I have to comment on your souls shield. It is fabulous. I am so inspired by your art in all forms-that includes your writing and ideas!
Posted by: Lissa | March 08, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Your soul shield is a fantastic idea-- what a beautiful and self-affirming, empowering piece! I love it. I also like the exercise, it sounds like something that would be beneficial for me to try.
Posted by: intothedawn | March 08, 2009 at 04:48 PM
What a cool exercise and shield. Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Jennifer Lee | March 08, 2009 at 09:48 PM
What a great exercise to focus on! So much better than focusing on the rejections we receive.
Thank you!
Posted by: Lisa Pijuan-Nomura | March 10, 2009 at 08:32 AM
What a wonderful idea - the Soul Shield is tremendous! I could feel its power as soon as I arrived.
And what a powerful perspective, holding rejection letters as stepping stones. We can tread on them lightly as we move forward instead of being weighed down by carrying them in our pack!
Posted by: jamie | March 12, 2009 at 10:43 AM