Manoj Bajpayee once faced three rejections in a day; Expert shares tips to turn setbacks into stepping stones

Have you ever been rejected in a job interview, only to keep moping for a month or two? Now imagine getting rejected thrice on the same day. For actor Manoj Bajpayee, it was once a reality.

In a candid interview with Siddharth Kannan, the veteran actor shed light on the struggles he faced during his initial foray into Mumbai’s film industry. Despite his experience in Delhi’s theatre scene, Manoj revealed the harsh reality of finding work in the “city of dreams.”

Recalling a particularly disheartening day, Manoj shared how he was unexpectedly dropped from not one, but three projects – all within 24 hours. One particularly vivid instance involved a television serial. After giving his first shot, Manoj noticed the crew huddled together in hushed conversation. Moments later, he was informed by the chief AD that he would be replaced, with the vague explanation that his performance was “unclear.”

“In one day, I was thrown out of three projects,” Manoj recounted. “Rejection became a part of my life, and that made me thick-skinned — which is to date.”

Rejection stings. Whether it’s a job application, a creative pursuit, or even a romantic approach; being told “no” can be discouraging.

Dr Divya Shree K R, Consultant – Psychiatrist, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, said, “understanding the complexity of a ‘victory’ in today’s world and the interplay of affluence, influence, and luck is important in evaluating each rejection as it comes and helps us assign blame and assume responsibility for the right reason.”

Rejection stings. This is how to cope. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

However, rejection is still a normal part of life, and it doesn’t define your worth. Here’s how to bounce back and turn setbacks into stepping stones:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s okay to feel hurt, angry, or disappointed. Bottling up emotions can hinder healing. Allow yourself to process your feelings in a healthy way, like journaling, talking to a trusted friend, or engaging in a creative outlet.

2. Reframe the Narrative: Don’t view rejection as a personal failure. Instead, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Maybe your skills need some honing, or perhaps the timing wasn’t right.

3. Analyse the Situation: If the opportunity allows, try to understand the reasons for rejection. Did they provide any feedback? This can be valuable information to help you improve for next time. However, avoid excessive self-criticism.

4. Focus on the Positive: Rejection doesn’t erase your strengths and accomplishments. Take a moment to appreciate your past successes, and remind yourself of your skills and value.

5. Learn and Adapt: Use the experience as a learning opportunity. Did you discover a new skill gap you need to address? Perhaps your approach needs some tweaking. Growth comes from adapting to challenges.

6. Build Resilience: Rejection can be tough, but it also helps build resilience. Each time you overcome a setback, you become better equipped to handle future challenges.

7. Celebrate Small Wins: Don’t get discouraged by aiming for giant leaps. Celebrate small victories along the way. This keeps you motivated and reminds you of your progress.

8. Keep Moving Forward: Don’t dwell on the rejection. Use it as motivation to keep striving towards your goals. There are many paths to success, so explore new opportunities and keep putting yourself out there.

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