Inspiring Rejection Quotes to Help You Persevere

Rejection is a fact of life that no one is immune to. Whether it’s a job application, a romantic interest, or a personal project, rejection can be a painful and discouraging experience. But despite the pain it can cause, rejection is also an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.

This is where rejection quotes come in – they offer insight, inspiration, and perspective to help us navigate the ups and downs of rejection.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most powerful and insightful quotes about rejection, and how they can help us turn setbacks into stepping stones on the path to success.

75 Rejection Quotes

Bernard Branson rejection quote
  1. “Rejection is an opportunity for your selection.” – Bernard Branson
Being rejected by someone

2. “Being rejected by someone just means you’re available.” – Bert McCoy

 Bert McCoy A-rejection-is-nothing-more-than-a-necessary-step

3. “A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.” – Bo Bennett

“Without experiencing criticism and rejection in life

4. “Without experiencing criticism and rejection in life, it would be impossible to grow or improve yourself.”- Mwanandeke Kindembo

Steve Maraboli roadblocks-detours-and-rejections-are-answered-prayers

5. “You don’t realize it at the time, but some of life’s roadblocks, detours, and rejections are answered prayers.” – Steve Maraboli

Rejection doesn’t mean you won’t find someone

6. “Rejection doesn’t mean you won’t find someone Rejection allows you to find the right one All it takes is a little patience, healing, and self-love.” – Sorsha Lightcap

If they reject you because you're different from them

7. “If they reject you because you’re different from them, then they’re the ones with issues.” – Mitta Xinindlu

Zig Ziglar rejection quote

8. “A clear rejection is always better than a fake promise.”- Zig Ziglar 

In life you'll get 100s of rejections

9. “In life you’ll get 100s of rejections, just you need 1 yes to forget the remaining. So never stop moving on.” – Shubhankar Mishra

Rejection is a common occurrence

10. “Rejection is a common occurrence. Learning that early and often will help you build up the tolerance and resistance to keep going and keep trying.” – Kevin Feige

Turning Rejection into Inspiration: The Power of Quotes

11. “Rejection is the sand in the oyster, the irritation that ultimately produces the pearl.”- Burke Wilkinson

12. “Rejection is merely a redirection; a course correction to your destiny.”- Bryant McGill

13. “Successful people reject rejection.” – John C. Maxwell

14. “A man who rejects you is simply clearing the way for the One you deserve.” – Naide P Obiang

15. “There will always be disappointments and rejection in this game but that’s part of the writing journey, and everyone’s journey is different.” – Sean Clarke

James Lee Burke rejection quote

16. “There’s nothing like rejection to make you do an inventory of yourself.” – James Lee Burke

17. “Rejection and adversity can upgrade your life because they push you, challenge you, and make you rise up to another level.” – Germany Kent

18. “If at first you think it’s rejection, it’s probably actually new found freedom.” – Emilyann Allen

19. “Acceptance, under someone else’s terms, is worse than rejection.” – Mary Cassatt

20. “I find rejection or failure to be a really interesting and valuable experience.” – Brian Grazer

From Failure to Resilience: Inspirational Quotes on Overcoming Rejection

21. “I am good at walking away. Rejection teaches you how to reject.” – Jeanette Winterson

22. “Rejection gives you more power to push forward.” – Jeremy Limn

23. “I have learned not to allow rejection to move me.” – Cicely Tyson

24. “The rejection of wise advice will lead up to a scarred life of regrets.” –  Wayne Chirisa

Robert T. Kiyosaki  The-more-I-risk-being-rejected-the-better-my-chances-are-of-being-accepted.-

25. “The more I risk being rejected, the better my chances are of being accepted.” – Robert T. Kiyosaki

26. “Often, out of our greatest rejection comes our greatest direction.” – Joel Osteen

27. “Rejection is part of the game. Or rather, rejection is part of the profession. A profession which at times can feel like a game.” – Robin Black

28. “Rejection is not the end. Just a step on the path.” – Anonymous

29. “Rejection can be a Hard Pill to swallow” – Basimah Rasha

30. “Don’t loose your hope until you get rejected, because once you loose your respect you will get rejected.” – Allan Bridjith

Finding Strength in Setbacks: Encouraging Quotes for Dealing with Rejection

31. “Rejection of desire is liberating. Renunciation is a form of power.” – Kilroy J. Oldster

32. “Rejection isn’t failure. Failure is giving up. Everybody gets rejected. It’s how you handle it that determines where you’ll end up.” – Richard Castle

33. “If rejection destroys your self-esteem, you’re letting others hold you as an emotional hostage.”- Brian Tracy

34. “Rejection tests whether you’re serious about your dreams.” – Tiyasha Ghosh

34. “I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat.” – Sylvester Stallone

being rejected quotes

35. “Rejection just motivates me to keep trying and to try to do better.” – Sasha Grey

36. “Learn to eat rejection; it will make you stronger.”- Bob Ragland

37. “Rejection is a part of life. Just learn to deal with it and keep moving.” – Samyak Mendhe

38. “The only thing that will help us move past the giant of rejection is to immerse ourselves in the acceptance of Christ.” – Louie Giglio

39. “Rejection—It may be a delay. It may be a distraction. It may even be a devastation for a season but it is not your final destination.” – Lysa TerKeurst

40. “You have to learn to take rejection not as an indication of personal failure but as a wrong address.” – Ray Bradbury

Embracing Rejection: Quotes to Help You See the Positive Side of Being Turned Down

41. “You get used to the rejection and you don’t take it personally.”- Daniel Craig

42. “A rejection may cause pain. However, it’s not a failure; it shows the reality and other ways too.” – Ehsan Sehgal

43. “I’d been rejected, but I was still in love, so I decided to start over.” – Steve Jobs

44. “Take rejection as an eye-opener. Take it as something that pushes you and makes you do things better.” – Amit Sadh

funny rejection quotes

45. “If you live for people’s acceptance you will die from their rejection.” – LeCrae

46. “People’s rejection can be God’s direction for you.” – Farshad Asl

47. “It is necessary to put yourself out for rejection, and accept that you will be rejected.”- Robert Genn

48. “Learn to accept rejections.” – Stefy Anto

 49. “It’s easy to cry when you realize that everyone you love will reject you or die.” – Chuck Palahniuk

50. “Rejection should ignite soul-searching, and the soul-searching must be absolutely honest.” – Adena Friedman

Moving Forward After Rejection: Motivational Quotes to Help You Keep Pushing

51. “Rejection is God’s protection.” – Alice Hunt

52. “Rejection is the friend you never knew you needed. It usually saves you time and money.” – Kevin Darné

53. “Most fears of rejection rest on the desire for approval from other people. Don’t base your self-esteem on their opinions.” – Harvey Mackay

54. “Rejection is the greatest aphrodisiac.”- Madonna

sad rejection quotes

55. “Rejected pieces aren’t failures; unwritten pieces are.”- Greg Daugherty

56. “You’ve got to love this business. You have to be able to take rejection.” – Jessica Biel

57. “The fear of rejection is worse than rejection itself.” – Nora Profit

58. “Sometimes rejection in life is really redirection.”- Tavis Smiley    

59. “Rejection is a part of any man’s life. If you can’t accept and move past rejection, or at least use it as writing material – you’re not a real man.” – Master Jiraiya

60. “Rejection sucks, no matter how it’s presented.” – Colleen Hoover

Rising Above Rejection: Inspiring Quotes on Perseverance and Success

61. “Rejection isn’t a sign that something is wrong for you it’s a sign that they’re wrong for you.”- Sonya Parker

62. “The better you are at communicating, negotiating, and handling fear of rejection, the easier life is.” – Robert Kiyosaki

63. “The effects of rejection can either kill your muse or change your life.” – Jane Champagne

64. “Each rejection brings us closer to acceptance.” – Ramesh Lohia

rejection motivational quotes

65. “If you aren’t ready for rejection, you aren’t ready for love.” – Marty Rubin

66. “Rejection is not meant to reduce you, it’s meant to reroute you to God’s purpose for your life.” – Danny Chambers

67. “Human rejection can be God’s divine protection.” – Paula Hendricks

68. “To live in a hallucination of being loved is more painful than rejection.” – Vinaya Panicker

69. “If you aren’t getting rejected on a daily basis, your goals aren’t ambitious enough.” – Chris Dixon

71. “Rejections will redirect you to more exciting roads. When you think your life is falling apart, it’s usually falling together in disguise” – Charlotte Eriksson

72. “Rejection puts you out of your comfort zone which is usually when you’re at your best” – Stewart Stafford

73. “Rejection is an opportunity for growth. Rejection stings and for a while may make you doubt yourself. But fearing it will refrain you from reaching your heights.” – Priya Alka

74. “Sometimes I feel my whole life has been one big rejection.” – Marilyn Monroe

75. “A wall that protects you from rejection will also hinder love and success.” – Unknown

Additional Read: How to Deal With Rejection in a Healthy Way, According to Psychologists

Rejection can take many forms, but at its core, it involves the denial of something we want or value. This can trigger feelings of disappointment, frustration, and even anger. It’s natural to feel hurt and upset after a rejection, but it’s important not to dwell on these feelings for too long. The longer we hold onto negative emotions, the more they can hold us back from moving forward.

How to Overcome Rejection

To overcome rejection, we need to cultivate resilience and a growth mindset. Resilience means bouncing back from setbacks, while a growth mindset involves seeing setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth. Here are some strategies for overcoming rejection:

Practice self-care: After a rejection, take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally. This can involve getting enough sleep, exercising, and doing things that make you feel happy and fulfilled.

Reframe the situation: Instead of viewing rejection as a personal failure, reframe it as a learning experience. What can you learn from this experience? How can you use it to grow and improve?

Seek support: Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family, or a therapist for support. Talking about your feelings and getting an outside perspective can help you gain clarity and move forward.

Take action: Instead of dwelling on the rejection, take action towards your goals. Whether it’s applying for a new job or pursuing a different opportunity, taking action can help you regain a sense of control and momentum.

The Lessons of Rejection

While rejection can be painful, it can also be a valuable teacher. Rejection can help us develop resilience, perseverance, and a stronger sense of self. It can also help us identify areas for growth and improvement. Here are some lessons that can be learned from rejection:

Failure is a natural part of the learning process: No one succeeds all the time. Failure is a natural part of the learning process and can help us develop new skills and strategies.

Resilience is key: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Developing resilience can help us overcome rejection and keep moving forward.

Rejection can lead to new opportunities: While rejection may feel like a dead end, it can also lead to new opportunities and experiences that we may not have considered before.

Rejection is an inevitable part of life, but it doesn’t have to define us. By cultivating resilience, a growth mindset, and a willingness to learn from setbacks, we can turn rejection into a stepping stone towards greater success and fulfillment.

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