Throughout my life, I’ve faced countless rejections, but I’ve learned to view each one as an opportunity for growth, much like the relief after a questionable Taco Bell meal. I want to encourage you to see rejection not as a setback, but as a stepping stone to better things.
Take my family’s experience with school applications. During college acceptance season, I remembered when our son was rejected by six preschools. Despite our ability to pay full tuition and my background as an educator, none of the schools accepted us, which felt intensely personal at the time.
One friend, however, got into four of the same preschools, which made me realize the selection process might be biased. It seemed that schools favored parents with high-profile careers in finance, tech, or medicine over someone like me, a stay-at-home parent and high school tennis coach.
Eventually, luck was on our side. We got into a preschool because of a chance friendship formed with one of the teachers who encouraged us to apply. Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived as the pandemic closed the school shortly after our son started.
Deciding to homeschool our son during the pandemic ended up saving us $36,500 in preschool tuition we would have otherwise spent. We discovered that homeschooling for a few hours a day was as effective as a full day at school. This unexpected turn of events provided invaluable family time and learning opportunities we otherwise wouldn’t have had.
Fast forward, and another rejection from a language immersion preschool also turned into a financial blessing. When I offered to share financial advice with the school community and was met with silence, it saved us potentially $30,000 to $50,000 in donations we might have felt compelled to make if we had been more involved.
Rejection taught us that being left alone can be a blessing. It spares us from constant solicitations for donations and the pressure to contribute more than we might feel comfortable with, especially during financially tough times like a market downturn.
In essence, every rejection has redirected us to new opportunities and significant financial savings. By embracing the concept of the “happy loser,” as described by Clotaire Rapaille, we’ve learned to see each “no” as a challenge to persevere and strive for different successes.
Looking ahead, the money we saved will go towards our children’s education funds and investments in the S&P 500, which could significantly appreciate in value over the next decade.
Rejection is inevitable, but it’s how we respond that defines our path forward. Instead of dwelling on the negative, we can use it as a catalyst for change and personal growth. So let’s normalize rejection, learn from it, and allow it to guide us to unexpected and rewarding paths.
