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Embrace Rejection: Jia Jiang from WDS

7/30/2013

10 Comments

 
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to the West Coast for the first time! I attended Chris Guillebeau's (author of The Art of Non-Conformity) World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon. 

In Chris' words, "WDS is a worldwide gathering of creative, unconventional people. Every summer, the group descends on Portland for several days of speakers, workshops, meetups, and fun."  

The gathering is based on the principles of service, community, and adventure. 

The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World

Not only did I love my first every visit to Portland and the West Coast, but I loved every inspiring moment of WDS. The beautiful people I met from all over the world encouraged me and inspired me in ways I couldn't have imagined!
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My name tag... I loved how they printed out how many miles we traveled!
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Me standing in front of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall where all 3,000 of us gathered to hear Jia Jiang and many other amazing speakers take the stage and inspire!
Here is a video of speaker, Jia Jiang, sharing about his relationship with rejection and how changing that relationship with rejection opened up a new world of possibilities he had never imagined!


Sometimes in our art and creativity, we hold back...mostly out of fear of failure or rejection. I am just as guilty of this as the next person. Which is why changing that relationship with the idea of rejection is one of the most powerful things we can do in breaking through to our big and beautiful stuff! Proud to be able to share this video with you! Take some time to listen to Jia and reconsider your relationship with rejection. 

Jia Jiang from Chris Guillebeau on Vimeo.

Any thoughts on rejection? Please, share them in the comments below!

Are you feeling inspired to overcome your fear of rejection?

If you are diggin' this Art Nurture goodness, please do join the list!

Do something today (I know I am about to!) that will help you face your fear of rejection! You (and I) maybe surprised at the response you receive!

If you want more information about WDS, please check out 

Keep nurturing your creativity,
Court McCracken
10 Comments
Lorna link
7/31/2013 08:40:17 am

Court, I think this is a lesson that we all need to embrace. All of these things that we fear--rejection, being wrong, failing, not being liked---we need to be ok with them, welcome them even. As an entrepreneur, I am trying to remind myself daily that rejection and lack of overnight success, are part of the journey. Success cannot come without some failure and rejection first. I'm in it for the long haul. I encourage other people to be also--whatever their pursuits!

Reply
Court link
8/2/2013 07:40:48 am

Lorna,
I love it. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. This realistic approach as "part of the journey" is comforting when we don't experience instant gratification. To realize this is a marathon and not a sprint. Thank you for your encouraging words!

Reply
Shana LaFore link
7/31/2013 08:43:17 am

Great post, Court. Fear of rejection is such a huge obstacle, because we make it so much bigger than it is. Jia Jang is so right on about "acting on your dream" so essential to living the life that you desire.

Reply
Court link
8/2/2013 07:42:42 am

Shana,
You are so right...fear of rejection, I venture to say, is often our biggest obstacle. Bigger than our other obstacles of time or money. I always find that taking one small action towards that dream takes away a mountain of anxiety associated with it : )

Reply
Aimelie Ronquillo link
7/31/2013 12:47:08 pm

Great post!! I can definitely relate to wanting to hold back and pushing through it anyway. One thing I recently started doing was posting my Art challenge on my website and showing it to the world. My art is a visual representation of my personal thoughts and feelings and possibly hearing negativity towards it was terrifying for me. Now that i've been posting more, i find it much easier to post and the fear lessening. I think the key is to surround yourself with supportive people and do it anyway. :-)

Reply
Court link
8/2/2013 07:56:04 am

Aimelie,
Great suggestion! So encouraging to me personally, as I have toyed with a similar idea, but allowed fears to keep me from it...You really called me out on this one! But I love it! You are so right about having a supportive community, that is my biggest saving grace and I am grateful to have the privilege of cultivating such a beautiful creative community. Something definitely worth investing in : )

Reply
Mandy Gibbons link
7/31/2013 10:13:54 pm

Great post, Court. As entrepreneurs, it's intimidating putting ourselves out there and worrying about if someone will like our product, services, our videos, "us" in general. But the fact that we do it anyway, and do it on our terms is exciting and each step we take gives us more and more confidence in ourselves and the amazing skills and gifts we have to share.

Reply
Court link
8/2/2013 07:59:28 am

Mandy,
Yes, the stepping out and fully engaging in the journey builds that positive momentum and the more we do it, the less those fears and rejections can hold us back. Sometimes people love us and sometimes they don't. Sometimes they take it and sometimes they leave it, but continuing on our path and knowing that not "everyone" is our audience, but knowing that we are helping the people we are, those are the things that keep me stepping on out and sharing!

Reply
Andrea link
8/2/2013 06:51:33 am

Wow. Such a powerful video and important topic. Certainly for me, I held back on my dreams and literally just being myself for many, many years out of fear of rejection. And as Jia Jiang pointed out, was rejected anyway - by myself! I think discussions like these and bringing the fear and the pain out in the open is the best way to overcome it. Realizing that you're not the only one who is scared, and that quite often if you just ask for what you want, you'll get it is HUGE!

Reply
Court link
8/2/2013 08:02:24 am

Andrea,
The moment in Jia's talk when he shared that he realized he had been rejecting himself first hit home for me. I too have struggled for years with this idea and realized that the more I accepted myself and felt peace with that, the more acceptance I found outside of myself as well. It was as though I had been rejection myself for years! The peace that has come through this growing acceptance is the best gift. Thank you for sharing your thoughts : )

Reply



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