Rejection is hard. However, that “no” always makes room for a bigger “yes.” In case you needed a reminder, you still got that juice (ya-ya-ee). Thanks Lizzo.
A few years ago, when Pupcake Sugar was still young in this pupcakery game, I decided to enter this baking competition. I figured it would be a good way to network. And since the competition was going to be on television, it’d be a great way to promote my new business.
So, I was extremely excited when I made the cut. True to form. I spent hours pawing through recipes until I found the perfect pupcake flavor, which came out amazing the day of the competition. At least that’s what I thought. Until this judge commented that my pupcake lacked flavor and that they were a bit too amateur for this competition.
Now, I know this pup is doing this for a shock value. I watch enough of these shows to know that ratings are important. But, I know pupcakes like the back of my paw and I’ve been baking them for years. No pup has ever woofed that my pupcakes lack flavor. More importantly, every pup that’s ever tried one ends up eating another. So, I know my pupcakes are amazing. Period.
However, that didn’t stop this random rejection from hurting less. I was more embarrassed than anything. Every pup I knew was watching. Not to mention the potential new customers. I put my heart and soul into these pupcakes and took the leap of faith to embark on this pup business ownership journey. So, I hid.
I didn’t want to see any pup. I didn’t want to bark about my television appearance. In fact, I asked my employees to handle all of the pupcake orders, so I could stay behind the scenes. That one comment started to make me doubt my decision to even start Pupcake Sugar. For a few months Pupcake Sugar became that thing I did instead of my dream come true. And, then I remembered…
Rejection tests whether you’re serious about your dreams.
So, hiding every time some pup rejected my pupcakes or “crazy idea” wasn’t going to work. Believing in myself was the only way Pupcake Sugar was going to work. I was Brown Sugar Poppin’ before the competition. So, this competition shouldn’t change that.
I promised myself that I was going to move forward with my dreams despite that judge’s or anyone else’s opinion. But, in order to keep it moving, I knew my Emotional Budget had to always be on point or I’d run the risk of going into hiding again. So, I made my emotional budget my first priority. It keeps me centered and confident in myself, no matter what life throws at me. However, I’d love to hear from you.
What keeps you centered as you turn your “crazy ideas” into reality?
Now, let’s dish about emotional budgets. It’s the one investment we should all make sure we grow. So, let’s take it to the inbox.
Did you miss it? No worries. Catch more of the Pupcake Sugar shenanigans when you subscribe to Sugar’s Dish.
