My Skin Used to Be Soft...Now It's Lizard Tough

5 Power Moves to Deal with Creative Rejection

I used to bruise like a peach. Sensitive, soft, and vulnerable—like lambskin. But these days? Nah, my skin's gone full-on lizard mode: tough, weathered, and way less bothered by the sting of a "no." It’s not that I don’t care anymore; I’ve just been hit with so many rejections—publishers, editors, brands, account execs, A&R guys—you name it. I've reached a point where my response to a rejection is, “Oh, cool. Thanks!” and I keep it moving. It’s like getting ghosted in the middle of some deal and just texting,  alright>cya>next

You’ve got to ask: Do you get a thicker hide as you age, or do you run out of energy to care? Why should I care about what anyone thinks of my work? And that’s the truth—why should any of us care? I’m busy, so thanks for the feedback, and I’m onto the next project. That’s what you’ve got to say.

Creative rejection is just part of the game, people. Whether you’re posting a new song, putting out art, posting ‘content,’ or pitching the next big idea, you’ll get feedback. Some of it’s legit, full of pro advice that'll help you grow, but some? It’s going to suck. Yeah, that’s just the fact of it.

I once knew a guy who stuck a pencil in the ceiling whenever he got rejected. By the time I saw it, there had to be like 200 pencils stuck up there. That's what rejection does—it piles up. But you’ve gotta vibe with it, own it, sit down, and buy it a drink because the reality is, most of your big ideas won’t even make it off the runway. Rejection stings, that’s the truth, but it’s also the road, the path, the sidewalk you walk to get there. The move isn't to avoid rejection; it’s own it, use it to get better, and flip those "no’s" into "yes’s"—or, at the very least, things you leave behind with no regrets.

Creative Rejection is Part of the Process

Rejection? It’s a given, especially in creative industries. I’m telling you straight: 70% of your stuff will get rejected. It's not personal—it’s just how it works. Your art is subjective. What hits one person in the gut feels 'meh' to someone else. And that's okay. It’s alright, it’s life. If you’re a creative worker, it’s life.

Even Harry Potter was rejected by 12 publishers. Twelve! Vincent Van Gogh only sold a handful of paintings during his lifetime. Does that mean their work was trash? Obviously not. What it means is that rejection is part of the process. It’s not a sign that you suck—it’s just another step on the road. Your job? Keep moving forward. Period.

From Rejection to Success

Look, people who make it big aren’t immune to rejection. They handle it differently.

Steven Spielberg was rejected from USC film school multiple times.

Sylvester Stallone? He said, "I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going rather than retreat.”

Stephen King? Carrie got rejected 30 times before it got picked up. Thirty. Times. He even threw the manuscript in the trash. His wife fished it out, and boom, look where he is now. The moral? Rejection sucks, but it’s also the fire that fuels the comeback.

Turning Rejection into Your Power Move

Rejection can crush you—or you can use it to level up. Here’s how you flip the script and make rejection your power move:

1. Reframe Rejection as Feedback

   • Don’t take it personal. Rejection isn’t failure. Think of it as someone handing you free notes. Every "no" is a chance to tighten your game. Maybe your idea wasn’t ready, or maybe you need to shift your approach. Either way, it’s intel you can use to level up.

2. Separate Yourself from Your Work

   • It’s hard, I get it. But your work isn’t YOU. You’re talented whether someone says "yes" or no. Rejection is about the project, not about your worth. Learn to step back emotionally to move forward without carrying the weight of every rejection.

3. Find Your Right Audience

   • Sometimes, you’re just pitching to the wrong crowd. A rejection doesn’t mean your work sucks—it means it didn’t click with that person. Keep hustling, and you’ll find the right crew who vibes with your vision.

4. Embrace the Growth Mindset

   • This is crucial. You’re not static. Your skills are constantly growing. Rejection is a chapter, not the end of the book. It’s an L you turn into a lesson. The more you learn, the better you get. That’s how you win.

5. Use Rejection as Motivation

   • Flip the hurt into hustle. So they said no? Cool, watch me come back stronger. This isn’t about revenge (okay, maybe a little), but it’s about proving to yourself that rejection isn’t a wall—it’s a hurdle. Quentin Tarantino  faced crazy rejection early on, but did he quit? Nah, he wrote Reservoir Dogs and put himself on the map.

 

The Game is Perseverance

Everyone gets rejected. The winners are the ones who keep going when others quit. The road to success is messy, filled with roadblocks and dead ends, but your only job? Keep moving forward. That’s it.

The path to success is rarely linear. I wrote about it here a couple of weeks ago and covered it on an episode of my podcast, Air Jijiji. There will be roadblocks, detours, and dead ends.

However, the most important thing is to keep moving forward.

Rejection is just part of the grind and a necessary part. So, get used to it, learn from it, and make it work for you. Eat rejection for breakfast and burp out success. Keep doing you; eventually, those "no’s" will become "yes’s."

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