When I first started working for my last insurance company my goal was to get promoted.
I knew I was overqualified for the position I had and I even had most of the qualifications for the promotion I wanted. So for me, it was all just a matter of time. Once I had the required time in my position I was going to move on to bigger and better things.
For months I was working with people and committees to be poised to get promoted on my first try. It was gonna be like taking candy from a baby!
Turns out, it was my candy that got taken that time around. I didn’t get the job.
No biggie.
A much better candidate than me got the job. I’ll try again.
I didn’t get the job that time either. But this time the person who did was much less qualified than me. So I thought anyway… I couldn’t help but feel a little more pissy this second time around.
Like if you eat at a new restaurant and get food poisoning. Maybe the food was good so you call it a fluke and try it again. And if you get food poisoning a second time… It could be coincidence, or maybe the joint just has WAY too intimate of a relationship with bacteria.
Luckily my frustration and not getting promoted led me to leaving. Which of course was a great thing.
But in the meantime back then, I didn’t feel very worthy. “This is what I want, and no one is giving it me.” Maybe I should…
Get an insurance designation.
Network more.
Work even harder.
There’s ALWAYS things we can desperately do to bridge the gap between what we want and where we are. But sometimes, that’s not necessary. Sometimes, it’s just about timing.
When Kevin Hart interviewed Judd Apatow, Hart talked about his first audition for an Apatow movie. Hart didn’t get the role and he said he took not getting it as a person rejection. He said he thought Apatow didn’t like him.
He later found out that was total garbage. When Hart saw the movie he realized the part needed to be played by an older person. Hart was like 25 at the time.
Looking back he learned it wasn’t about rejection, he learned it was about the best person for the role. He said he didn’t have the “logic to digest that” back then.
I know the cliche, timing is everything gets old to hear, but it can still be very true.
Think about it this way. For some occasions we buy cakes at Nothing Bundt Cakes. Why shouldn’t we? They’re delicious. But could you imagine what the cakes would taste like if they left them in the oven for only 10 minutes?
Same batter. Same cake. But same texture and same taste? Not so much.
And don’t even get me started on bacteria again…
If you’re looking for better opportunities, clients or relationships It’s probably because they’re not done cooking yet.
Or YOU’RE not done cooking yet.
They’re not ready for you or you’re not ready for them. Don’t take it as a personal rejection. And don’t use it to fuel your head-trash. It’s almost never rejection!
Well, except that one time…
I did see a video where a guy cut off and flipped off another man on the freeway. The driver was incensed (crazy is a better word) so he shot at him with a gun.
Ok, that’s a rejection to take personally.
There is good news though. You have the logic to digest and understand which is which. And to KNOW that what you want is coming.
Adam