What I learned from 100 days of rejection | Jia Jiang | TED

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore the key lessons from Jia Jiang's TED Talk on his 100 days of rejection experience. Jiang's journey teaches us how to confront and embrace rejection, transforming it into a powerful tool for personal growth. This guide will provide actionable steps to help you desensitize yourself to rejection and encourage you to ask for what you want in life.

Step 1: Embrace the Fear of Rejection

• Acknowledge that rejection is a common experience everyone faces.
• Understand that the fear of rejection can hold you back from pursuing opportunities.
• Reflect on your own fears and consider how they affect your decision-making.

Step 2: Set a Challenge to Seek Rejection

• Plan a 100-day challenge where you intentionally seek out rejection.
• Create a list of small, manageable requests you can make daily. Examples include:
  • Asking a stranger for a dollar.
  • Requesting a discount at a store.
  • Inquiring about "burger refills" at a restaurant.
• Approach each day with the mindset that it's okay to be turned down.

Step 3: Document Your Experiences

• Keep a journal to record your requests and the outcomes.
• Note how you felt before and after each interaction.
• Reflect on each rejection and what you learned from it.

Step 4: Analyze Your Rejections

• After a week or two, review your journal entries.
• Identify patterns in your requests and the types of rejections you encountered.
• Consider how some rejections led to unexpected opportunities or insights.

Step 5: Celebrate the Wins

• Recognize that not every request will result in rejection; celebrate the successful outcomes.
• Highlight moments where asking led to positive responses or connections.
• Use these moments as motivation to continue seeking out new experiences.

Step 6: Shift Your Mindset

• Reframe rejection as a learning opportunity rather than a failure.
• Practice gratitude for the courage it takes to ask for what you want.
• Visualize the potential benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Conclusion

By actively seeking rejection, you can desensitize yourself to the fear that often accompanies it. This process not only fosters personal growth but also opens doors to new possibilities. Start your own journey today by setting your challenge and embracing each experience, whether it leads to rejection or success. Remember, every "no" brings you closer to a "yes."