Image by: qimono
By Alvin Martin

I’ll never forget the first time I got rejected from a job. I was caught off guard because I knew I came from a reputable school, I had a good CV, I scored quite high on their written exam, and I had a good amount of experience. Whatever the reason was, I didn’t really care. I felt offended.  At the time all I could think of was that I was not good enough. My ego was hurt and I felt discouraged and defeated.

And because I lost my self-confidence, I settled for a job that I didn’t like. It was a humbling experience though. Perhaps, I became too overconfident or maybe my ego needed to be taken down a notch or two so that I could learn to be a better person.

After some time, I decided to give my dream job another shot, but this time, I just enjoyed the whole application process and gave it my best without setting my hopes too high. A week later, I received a phone call telling me that I got hired.

Guys, getting rejected doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the story. Sometimes, it’s just the beginning. And you wouldn’t get a chance to have a happy ending if you’re too scared to give yourself another try.

Here are other kinds of chances that you will not regret taking in life.

A Chance to Open Up to Real Love

I can still remember the first time I was brokenhearted. It was so painful that I decided to put barriers around myself to protect myself from getting hurt again. At first, it made me feel strong, secure and in control. But after some time, it made me emotionally hard and closed off. I became unfair to my new partner for allowing my past to restrict our happiness.

Guys, I know that the idea of allowing yourself to be vulnerable can be really scary because it means you have to open yourself up to the possibility of pain, suffering and discomfort. However, building walls around you is far more dangerous because it brings loneliness, which slowly tears away your well-being by making you feel empty, isolated and deprived.

So, try to eliminate all the barriers within yourself. Don’t be afraid to give all your heart and mind completely because that’s what it takes to experience true love.

A Chance to Break Out of Your Comfort Zone

Your life is a product of all the risks you take every single day. Whenever you make a choice, the outcome that you are hoping for is not 100% certain. When you go to bed at night, there’s no guarantee that you won’t die in your sleep. When you put the ring on her, there’s no assurance that you’re going to be together forever. It’s all about risks.

However, there’s one kind of risk that is worth taking – the risk of stepping outside your comfort zone to achieve something greater. It means sacrificing convenience and your senses of familiarity and certainty to make positive changes and progress in your life.

In the piece “7 Low-Tech Ways to Really Boost Your Productivity,” writer Sherry Gray explains the importance of embracing the unknown or doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable as a source of positive energy to surge forward.

In my opinion, uncertainty can be a real scary thing, but there’s nothing scarier than getting stuck in a life without growth or progress. So, try new things and embrace new challenges because that’s the only way to really live life.

A Chance to Grow Into Your Best Self

Create habits and routines that will help you optimize your mind, body and spirit. Read more books and learn a new language. Don’t deprive your body from regular exercise and the healthy lifestyle it deserves. Get into habits that will make you a better person and will help you attain your goals and dreams.

And to help you get into your best shape, check this out – “The Workout that Burns Twice As Many Calories As Running.”

A Chance to Reward Yourself

Celebrating your accomplishments, big or small, can make a world of difference. It gives you the feeling that your efforts you made resulted in a positive reward. It gives you something to look forward to, encourages you to have balance in your life and keeps you motivated to finish your tasks no matter how hard and boring they may be. It also teaches you to appreciate yourself more, which in effect can boost your self-esteem.

According to writer Ana Erkic, understanding the importance of your small wins and knowing how to apply them to your everyday life can help you become mentally stronger. When you’re inspired to continue making progress, you can avoid stress and taking everything too seriously. You will be able to enjoy and take the pressure off work and avoid the risks to your health.

Next time you succeed in doing something, no matter how small, don’t forget to give yourself a break. Have a slice of your favorite cake. Go outside for a walk and get some fresh air. Enjoy a cup of coffee and then be ready to challenge yourself again!