Recently, I had the privilege of listening to a friend reflect on how rejection can lead to new direction. This rang true for me as I realized that rejection acted as the launching pad for my current trajectory. As for many in this industry, the landscape has a way of choosing you rather than you choosing landscape.

After college, I worked at the mall. The reality is I was disenfranchised after being cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers which effectively meant my childhood dream was out of reach. As a young person in need of opportunity, the mall was a great place to experience low-risk failure. After a few months, I was craving Vitamin D and learning what was important in my work life.

In my pursuit of sunshine and fresh air, a friend from church fortuitously offered me a position at a landscape company. I spent 9 years at that company, going back to school to become a horticulturist and arborist all while learning what it takes to run a business.

Avoidance of rejection is avoidance of exploration, whether personal or professional. Had I not been rejected by the NFL and sent floundering to the mall, I may never have discovered a love of landscape. The truth is that the familiar path can feel comfortable and steady, but the constant pacing is causing erosion beneath our feet. It’s hard when your dreams aren’t what you expected but sometimes to find a new path you must either be rejected or do some rejecting.

All great people through history have failed. Not just failed but monumentally, historically, and all-time failed. These are the heroes we admire for their perseverance, the ability to see a new way out when the door closes behind them. They failed because they tried, they risked, they pivoted. If you want to do great things in your life, you will fail. And you will win.

2022 has risk and rejection written all over it. Embrace the turbulence because you are about to reach new heights.

 

Get Rejected,

 

Matt Davenport