Ever go to an audition and thought you nailed it, then to find out that you didn’t get the teaching gig? Are you feeling frustrated when studio mangers say they loved your teaching and then to never hear back from them?
If you are consistently putting yourself out there, doing the work behind the scenes, practicing constantly with your delivery and still getting rejected, you may feel this endless sense of anxiety and hopelessness.
“This sucks, I just got denied from Studio A that I really like. I thought I did well at the audition. Do I suck? What now? What am I even doing with my life?!”
I know, it sucks. I’ve been there and guess what? I’m still here today.
And good news. You are too.
As someone who has faced rejection time and time again, trust me when I say: you’ll overcome this situation and this unsettling feeling.
It’s only temporary.
Feeling discouraged? Keep reading.
Rejection is all part of the process and an integral part of life (you’ll see why). Stay with me through all of this as we go over strategies and words of encouragement to continue to ascend.
1. Rejection = Opportunity
Because someone said no to you right now, it does not mean it’s a no always and forever. I can remember several times when I was turned down and then another unexpected opportunity came by. When you change your perspective, you begin to grow an appreciation for rejection because it makes you look in other places that you wouldn’t have thought about. You begin to think outside the box.
Use the rejections to fuel your drive towards your mission. What you truly believe is to be your calling.
2. Stay Persistent
As the beautiful Aaliyah (RIP Queen) once sang, “Dust yourself off and try again.” Continue to work, refine, and try again. You’ll make ton of mistakes in the process and do make a point to learn from them. If you get feedback, actively listen to what the other person is saying. It doesn’t mean do a complete 180 and drop everything you’ve done before to make this change. More like fine tuning.
And guess what? All yoga teachers have faced rejection before in their careers, whether it’s by students, managers, or other teachers. It is the ones who push past these hurdles who eventually find success. It is the ones who have grit who continue to move forward.
3. Find a Mentor
Get a mentor who’s an established yoga teacher who can help guide you with your teaching and practice. Find someone who you trust and has your best interest. Continue to take classes with your mentor and see what works with students. Have your mentor take one of your classes and ask for feedback about the experience. Your mentor, just like you, has made mistakes and has also most likely been rejected too. Ask your mentor questions, like how she was able to cope with rejection and what she did to move past it.
4. Refine Your Technique
If you think your teaching is done with improving, then there’s your problem. I believe there is always more room for growth: to enhance your skills for an overall better class experience for you and your students.
Video tape yourself and listen to how you cue each pose. Write down the highs and lows after every class. Consider feedback you’ve received. This can get overwhelming so start by picking one aspect to work on versus all of them. That could be your opening and closing dialogues, explanation for Kapalabhati, or how to exit a certain pose. Keep refining until you feel like you’ve got it down and are happy with the delivery. Then, move on to the next aspect and so forth.
5. Meditate
It’s easy to get stuck in our own heads when we keep getting “no” for an answer, especially when we believe that we are doing our best. Don’t ruminate on it for too long because it can get ugly, real quick.
Next time when you are feeling down about rejection, meditate on it. Learn to step away from the situation and see it from another angle. Take a moment to reset your mindset. Focus on what you want to grow. Instead of turning towards the problem, see what is working well. Go towards that.
6. Don’t Let Your Flame Go Out
It’s important to maintain perspective especially during tough times. Stay committed and think about why you became a yoga teacher in the first place. Remember the students who you’ve made an impact on, the struggles you’ve experienced, and all the joy you’ve received from teaching yoga. Understand that we all go through ups and downs, the ebb and flow of life. As long as you stay true to who you are, your core essence will to.
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