Rejection Letters: A Badge Of Honor

Everybody gets rejected at some point, even cool guys like the late Jimi Hendrix.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 17:06 GMT

Some see rejection as a blow to their ego, but Bill Shapiro, author of Other People’s Rejection Letters: Relationships, Career Killers, and 150 Other Letters You’ll Be Glad You Didn’t Receive (Clarkson Potter), says it’s a “badge of honor.”

With the economy in the dumps, people are being rejected left and right so they shouldn’t be embarrassed to share.

Shapiro explains, “There’s no shame. In some ways, a rejection letter shows bravery. At least you tried. You don’t want to look back when you’re 80 and think, ‘I didn’t even try.’”

His book features rejections received by even the most accomplished people, including Jimi Hendrix, who was rejected from the U.S. Air Force for being too into his guitar and not falling into line, so people shouldn’t feel bad if they too have been denied.