I know the feeling of disappointment well. Recently, I pitched for a speaking engagement and was met with enthusiasm. The Zoom call with the admin went great, and I left feeling like I had truly connected. Shortly after, I received an email from them expressing their excitement to pursue this further. My heart soared—I felt like this was a sure thing!
Wanting to put my best foot forward, I even recorded a personalized Loom video for their program director, expressing my excitement and vision for their event.
Then… waiting, waiting, waiting.
Three weeks passed, and I finally received a kind, respectful email saying they had decided to go a different route. Oof. A hard “no” to swallow.
Logically, I know this isn’t the end of the road—something better is always in the works. But emotionally? It stings. Disappointment is real. Rejection can feel personal, even when it isn’t.
Wanting to process this, I reached out to my speaker friends for support and encouragement. And wow—what a nice feeling to be surrounded by people who get it! Their words reminded me that I’m not alone in this journey, and that setbacks are simply part of the process.
So how do we move through disappointment without letting it derail us?
Here are some powerful tools to keep your momentum going:
1️⃣ Keep Your Eyes on the Big Picture
A “no” today doesn’t mean a “no” forever. More importantly, it’s just one step on a much larger journey. Every closed door brings you closer to the right one. The best way to handle rejection? Keep moving forward.
💡 Mantra: One “no” gets me closer to the right “yes.”
2️⃣ Plan for the Long Game, Not Just Short Wins
Rejections feel harder when we’re overly attached to one opportunity. Instead of banking all hopes on a single win, build a long-term vision. Fill your pipeline with possibilities, nurture relationships, and trust that success is about persistence, not one moment.
💡 Mindset shift: Think marathon, not sprint.
3️⃣ Reframe Rejection as Redirection
What if a rejection isn’t rejection at all, but a reroute to something even better? Some of my biggest successes came after an initial disappointment. This experience reminded me to focus not just on what I lost—but what I’m about to gain.
💡 Ask yourself: What opportunity might this rejection be making space for?
4️⃣ Feel It, but Don’t Feed It
Disappointment deserves a moment of acknowledgment. Feel it, but don’t feed it with self-doubt or rumination. Give yourself a set time—maybe 24 hours—to process the emotions. Then, channel that energy into action.
💡 Power move: Set a “rejection recovery” timer—when it dings, get back to pursuing your next win.
5️⃣ Celebrate Your Effort, Not Just the Outcome
The fact that I showed up, put my best foot forward, and created a Loom video means I’m playing the game at a high level. And that’s worth celebrating. We often focus so much on outcomes that we forget to acknowledge the courage it takes to even try.
💡 Gratitude shift: “I am proud of the effort I put in. That alone is a win.”
So, what’s next? We keep going. We keep choosing resilience. And we remind ourselves that every “no” is just making space for the perfect “yes.”
What tools do you use to bounce back from disappointment? Let’s keep this conversation going!
Cheering you on always,
Dorice Horenstein
Oy to Joy Champion Catalyst
Dorice Horenstein
Oy to Joy Champion Catalyst
PS: If this reflection resonates, feel free to share it with someone who might need a little joy. And if you’re looking for a keynote speaker who can bring these kinds of personal and inspiring stories to your next event, let’s connect! Check out my demo video here.
PPS: I’d love for you to join me on my YouTube channel, where I share more stories, inspiration, and tips on resilience and joy. Subscribe here and let’s continue the conversation!
And as always,
Be Positive. Be Yourself. Be the Champion You Want to See!
About Dorice Horenstein
Dorice Horenstein, renowned as the “Oy to Joy” International Champion Catalyst Speaker, transforms tactics into practical strategies! As a Positive Intelligence expert and best-selling author of Moments of the Heart: Four Relationships Everyone Should Have to Live Wholeheartedly, Dorice energizes and motivates global audiences to uncover their inner champions. With a background in educational leadership, she has made the world her platform, fostering positive cultures by empowering individuals to overcome challenges, build resilience, and find joy, leading to personal and professional growth.
Dorice Horenstein, renowned as the “Oy to Joy” International Champion Catalyst Speaker, transforms tactics into practical strategies! As a Positive Intelligence expert and best-selling author of Moments of the Heart: Four Relationships Everyone Should Have to Live Wholeheartedly, Dorice energizes and motivates global audiences to uncover their inner champions. With a background in educational leadership, she has made the world her platform, fostering positive cultures by empowering individuals to overcome challenges, build resilience, and find joy, leading to personal and professional growth.
Dorice is a dynamic speaker whose energy and charisma have a global impact. Her core superpower is her ability to present, train, and coach effectively. She redefines “T.E.A.M.” as “Together Everyone’s Attributes are Magnified,” inspiring others to recognize their strengths, enhance effectiveness, and joyfully step into their destined leadership roles. Her mission is to cultivate healthy, positive relationships that reduce stress, increase retention rates, and create a more positive culture both at work and at home.
