Fear of rejection is often identified as one of the main reasons that newcomers fail in the home business industry.
Just the thought of the scowl of a skeptical prospect or being hung up on by angry leads not wanting to be disturbed at home is enough to make anyone’s mouth go dry.
Overcoming the fear of rejection is essential if you’re going to succeed in Network Marketing or any business related to sales.
The Dread of “No”
Picture this: You're about to make a call to a potential lead, and suddenly, your mouth feels like the Sahara Desert.
Or maybe you're in the middle of a presentation, and your words start doing the cha-cha as you stumble over them.
Why?
All because of that fear of rejection lurking in the background.
Battling the Fear Head-On
Overcoming this fear isn't just advisable; it's essential, whether you're in Network Marketing, sales, or any business realm where rejection is part of the game.
I know, easier said than done, right?
Many of us would rather face a mountain lion than the possibility of a cold shoulder from a potential client.
But here's a little secret:
It's possible to conquer this fear, and I'm going to share with you a simple yet powerful formula that's worked wonders for me.
Overcoming the Fear of Rejection: The 3 Magic Questions
After years in the trenches and plenty of battles with the fear of rejection myself, I've boiled it down to three crucial questions that can change your perspective:
- What's the worst that can happen if I try… and fail?
- What's the biggest upside if I try… and succeed?
- How much will I regret it if I never try?
These questions have been game-changers for me, helping to put things in perspective and often revealing that the fear of rejection is far outweighed by the regret of not trying.
Using These 3 Questions “In The Trenches”
Example 1: Launching a New Product
Imagine you've poured your heart and soul into creating a new product. You believe it could really make a difference in people's lives, but the thought of launching it to the world is giving you the jitters. What if it flops? What if people don't see its value? Here's where our trusty trio of questions comes into play:
- What's the worst that can happen if I try… and fail? Maybe the product doesn't sell as expected, or you receive some negative feedback. It's not the end of the world; it's valuable learning experience that can guide your next steps.
- What's the biggest upside if I try… and succeed? This product could not only become a hit, bringing in revenue and boosting your brand, but also genuinely help people, fulfilling your original vision.
- How much will I regret it if I never try? If you let the fear of rejection stop you from launching, you'll always wonder what could have been. The regret of not knowing could outweigh any temporary setback from trying and failing.
Example 2: Network Marketing Propecting
You've got a list of potential people you believe could really thrive in your network marketing business.
However, the thought of reaching out and possibly being turned down is making you hesitate.
Here's how the three questions can guide you through:
- What's the worst that can happen if I try… and fail? The most likely “worst” outcome is that someone says no, or perhaps doesn't respond at all. While it might sting a bit, it's not a reflection of your worth or the value of your business opportunity. It's simply a mismatch of interests or timing.
- What's the biggest upside if I try… and succeed? If your outreach is successful, you could gain a new business partner who not only contributes to your network's growth but also benefits personally and financially from the opportunity. This could lead to a ripple effect, where their enthusiasm and success attract more partners, amplifying your network's impact and income.
- How much will I regret it if I never try? If you let the fear of rejection keep you from reaching out, you'll never know the potential growth you missed out on. The regret of not knowing and not growing your network could linger much longer than the temporary discomfort of rejection.
In the context of network marketing and prospecting, remember that every “no” is one step closer to a “yes.”
The reality is, not everyone will be a fit for your business, and that's okay.
What's important is to keep reaching out, keep offering value, and keep believing in the opportunity you have to offer.
By focusing on the positive potential outcomes and acknowledging that the fear of rejection is a normal part of the process, you can move forward with confidence.
This approach can transform the way you view rejection in network marketing: not as a personal failure, but as a natural step in the search for the right partners who share your vision and enthusiasm.
So, harness the power of these questions to push past the fear and embrace the possibilities that lie on the other side of each outreach.
Your future partners are out there, waiting for someone like you to show them the way.
The Takeaway
This three-step process is my go-to for tackling the fear of rejection head-on, and it can be yours too.
Whether you're facing a daunting phone call, a big presentation, or any situation where “no” is a possibility, remember these questions.
They just might be the nudge you need to step out of your comfort zone and chase those dreams.
So, here's to not letting the fear of rejection hold you back.
After all, on the other side of that fear could be the success you've been dreaming of.
Let's grab it by the horns and make it happen.
This is YOUR journey, and remember, every “no” brings you one step closer to a “yes.”
Suggested Business Resources
Aweber - building your list has never been so important. Grab your Free Account.
InMotion Hosting - my preferred web-hosting service
Descript - by far the best video and audio editor I've ever used.
TubeBuddy - if you're doing videos, this will be your best friend
Legendary Marketer - lead generation and business creation platform for affiliate and network marketers.
Fearless Influencer Academy - learn the skills and strategies for growing any business online.
It's Your Time to SHINE!
Dr. Bob Clarke
Email: Bob@BobandRosemary.com
Join our Part-Time Essentials Facebook Group
This post may contain affiliate links to products or services that I trust. This means that if you make a purchase using the links included in this post, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for the support!
Recommended Courses To Jumpstart Your Business
Crush Consistency NOW! - if you find yourself lacking consistency in your business, you must own this course!
Part-Time Shortcuts - who says there are no shortcuts to success? This course reveals 4 shortcuts that will cut your learning curve in half.
Part-Time Mastery - if you're short on time for your business, this course is the answer!
How To Earn Your First $1000 Online - wouldn't it feel great to have more money coming IN each month than going OUT?
The Email Playground - learn how to build your email list from scratch, then what to say to your email subscribers to build trust and influence.
Audience First - how to build a tribe of buyers on Facebook and Pinterest (with Kim Ward)
The Focus and Implementation 1-Hour Challenge Recordings - boost your focus and extinguish procrastination in 1 Hour
48 replies to "3 Simple Questions for Overcoming The Fear of Rejection"
Hi Bob
Thanks for this awesome article !
You always need to accept rejection for ensuring success in your future.
Regards
It’s better to try than to do nothing at all.
I fear of rejection because I am afraid that people surrounds me would not accept for who really am I but I came to a point Bob to face and overcome this fear by putting myself into positive and avoiding myself to think others what would they say about me. When I am about to overcome this fear I feel happiness. Thank you so much for this great insights ever!
Or… start a business that doesn’t require any human interaction. LOL
I think the same principles go for anything in life, Bob; thanks for sharing your view on the topic.
Ana
PS I don’t know how I missed your blog, but I am adding it to my new CommentLuv enabled blog list!
Everybody has this fear and sadly, this is what causes most of us to not achieve the most out of our potential. One thing we can learn from the great Steve Jobs (RIP) is his perception of death. Most of his decisions, he said, came from the thinking that he is going to die soon. Having this mindset clears away fear of rejection, pride, embarrassment, etc. I think this is genius. People who are about to die don’t feel any of these negative thoughts. Rather, they try to make the most out of the time that’s left for them. I think this is what life is all about – making the most out of it.
Great Insights Bob, Rejection is just always a part of my life. I admit that i always feel rejection especially in blogging but I’ll just laugh at them and learn from them. Rejection for me is all about learning because when someone rejects you, you learn how to be more stronger. Well, thanks Bob for sharing this I appreciate it very much!
You’re welcome, Emma… you have a very healthy approach. The truth is we ALL experience rejection of some sort on a regular basis. As you said, it’s how you interpret and learn from that rejection that will be the difference.
Rejection is normal to life, whatever you do you experience rejection, you don’t have to fear it at all. I’m new to blog and unfortunately I’ve experience rejections from other people and it seems they don’t like me, it hurts actually and it gonna makes you weak but I easily ignore them and start all over and all over again. Rejecton is part of growing up.
Thanks Bob, for this great insights.
Hi Emma,
You are right about rejection being everywhere, but you have a great attitude. When you are rejected or otherwise put off, try again and move forward. Consistency and persistence are the key to success in almost all areas of life.
Thanks for the kind words, Will. We figure that if someone takes the time out of their busy day to make a comment, the least we can do is acknowledge the effort.
And most times our commenters have some really interesting and inspiring things to share!
Nice job replying to all your birthday well wishers. I’m sure it made a difference to them. Most times people just send a blanket “thanks for everyone” FB post… your effort was much more personal!
Appreciate the comment, Will.
It’s true what you have said in your article.
I have my own article on Overcoming the Fear of Rejection as well…
Hi Cyn, welcome!
Fear of rejection is something that stopped me for a long time. It is a powerful emotion that goes right to the core of feeling accepted and good about yourself. But when a fear of rejection stops you from achieving great things in your life, it’s time to change things.
I’ll definitely go check out your article, Cyn!
Thanks for stopping by!
“What’s the worst that can happen?” is the question other people will always ask you, but “How much will I regret being a Putz?” is the question to ask yourself that is most likely to kick a person in his own seat when he really needs it.
Hi David, welcome to the blog!
Regret is a very powerful emotion, for sure. Early in my life I lived my life, often feeling regret for things not tried because I didn’t have the self confidence. As I got older, I began to figure “what the heck!” and do things even if I was pretty sure I would fail. And you know what? Many times I didn’t fail but made great strides towards my life goals.
Thanks for your insights, David! Hope to see you here again soon!
Hi Dr Clarke,
These are great questions, indeed. For me, the last question is very powerful: How much will I regret if I never try?
I believe in letting go of your fears and take up a new challenge – you’ll never know what will come out of it.
I’m proud of you for mustering up the courage and dive into it – way to go! I look forward to your guest post. I’m sure it’s going to be awesome, I enjoy reading your articles 🙂
Thanks for sharing your insights, Dr Clarke.
All the best,
Mavis
Hi Mavis!
It’s great to see you here again! I agree — the 3rd question on Regret is the most powerful of the 3. What is the old saying? “It’s better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.”
How often do we hold ourselves back because we are too afraid to even try? Regret is a very powerful emotion.
Thanks for your insights, Mavis. See you again soon!
This is a good strategy to adopt Bob. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you got something out of it, Wade.
Welcome to the blog! Look forward to seeing you again.
Hi Dr. Bob,
First of all, welcome to the club. I don’t know a guest blogger who didn’t fear rejection. I also had a major sense of stage fright the first time I submitted a post and it was published. I knew it was a much bigger audience and I was scared to death that they were going to want to throw rotten tomatoes at me! It went well, and I received many great comments. Everyone was encouraging and welcoming.
I’m proud of you, like I am for anyone who stretches their comfort zone. We have to learn to be comfortable playing in that area just outside our comfort zone where we are nervous, because that is where growth happens.
Great job. You’re welcome to guest post for CleverMarketer anytime you’d like! 🙂
Heather
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, Heather! Coming from you, they mean a lot!
I am writing the first Guest Blog right now, and I will definitely keep Clever Marketer in mind for my next one!
Thanks for stopping by, Heather!
Hey Bob,
Fear surrounds us all over and it is ready to come right at us anytime. It is the way we overcome the fear that makes us what we are and what our position is in the society. The fear of failure is the biggest possible fear that I have come across in my life and I should say that it took me some while to get over with it.
Nowadays, if I start doing it anyway, I see that my fear of failure disappears. It is only when I keep the task on the queue and think too much, it takes more time to get over with the fear. It is exactly how I started guest posting and now that I have many guest posts repeatedly on A-List blogs including Problogger, I don’t know what fear of failure is, in this context.
At the same time it doesn’t mean that I can be careless and do things carelessly. I put in all the care and effort just minus the fear.
Cheers,
Jane.
Hi Jane,
Thinking about it, I feel that a fear of failure and fear of rejection are born of the same family, except that possibly a fear of rejection is more personal (since it may involve another person). Congrats on finding your strategy for overcoming that fear in your life… it is a precious skill to have! You’re right, Jane — we all face fear of failure or rejection every day… only those that fight through it will excel to their fullest potential in life.
Appreciate the comment, Jane. Thanks for stopping by once again!
I really like your article on overcoming rejection. True, True, True. I have had a similar problem and am glad to know that by venturing deep i stand to gain than loose. This is incredible. I would rather try and know i gave it my best other than regret and ask myself “What If”.
What a great response, Catherine…. “I would rather try and know i gave it my best other than regret and ask myself “What If”.” How powerful is that!
Welcome to the blog. Hope to see you here often!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Bob,
I realize that the concept of fear is all in my head and in fact a limiting belief. It’s one thing to not do something because we are in danger but an entirely different thing when our fears/concerns are imaginary.
I ask myself questions like you do when I feel imaginary fears stopping me from moving forward.
Hi Justin,
Fear can be real or imagined, but it is always real in your mind. The trick is to “talk it out” with yourself by asking the very same questions I talk about and you use.
Thanks for stopping by, Justin! Great to see you here.
Bob, aloha. So appreciate your post on this very important topic. In fact, I am gong to put it into my “Required Reading” folder for both new networker marketers as well as those who continue to struggle with this issue.
Your 3 questions are perfect, Bob. Personally, I believe that you more often regret what you don’t do than what you do. Therefore, #3 resonates with me because I would rather “do” and know the outcome rather than endlessly wonder “what if” over something that cannot be changed.
When you create and submit your guest post, Bob, as long as you feel good about the post, that’s all that matters. If the blogger “rejects” it there is no doubt that it was meant to be. Perhaps you will submit to another blogger with even better results. Or, you will post it on your own blog, a first time visitor who happens to be your ideal business partner stops by your blog, reads it and says, “OMG, after reading this I know Bob is exactly the person I want to partner with to build a business.”
Bob, when I feel the lizard brain attempting to hold me back, I ask myself what’s the worst that could happen and how would I feel it . . . Once I have answered those two questions, I “get over it” and move forward.
Kudos to you, Bob, for this Great Post! Aloha. Janet
Hi again Janet!
First, I am honored to have a place in your coveted “Required Reading” folder! Thank you! 🙂
Second, thanks for your support and encouragement about my first guest post. In going through my 3 question process I wrote about in this post, I have already mapped out “best and worst case scenarios” and know how I will hand each. That includes resubmitting somewhere else if its not accepted at first, or as you say putting it on my own blog.
I appreciate the feedback and your insights. As always, its great to see you here!
Bob, I totally feel you with this one! This past month, I’ve been invited to guest blog twice, so it’s pushed me out there, but I had been sitting on the idea of guest blogging for months already!
I love your three-step process. I think that it’s something we can apply to all of our fears. Looking back, I feel that I naturally went through a similar process in deciding to move to Peru. The feeling of regret would have been stronger if I had not done what I had feared.
Please let me know about your first guest blog post, Bob! =) I can’t wait to comment on it and share it because I know it’ll be top-notch quality! =)
Hey Sam,
Thanks for stopping by. It’s true what you say — you can use this process with any major decision in your life. I will let you know when the guest post goes live. There’s no turning back now!
See you again soon,
Bob
Interesting Post Rob. I totally agree with you. Whenever i fear something i ask myself what’s the worst that can happen. Retweeted and submitted it to Blokube.
Thanks for sharing this great post.
~Dev
Hi Dev,
Thanks for sharing this with your extensive social media connections! I appreciate the support and kind words!
Bob
Thanks for the encouragement, Dev. Appreciate the social “support”.
Thanks for stopping by!
Bob
The feeling of regret does outweigh rejection… most people are afraid of failure, because they didnt try…. yet in the end, they say to themselves, “what if..”… simple solution: just go go go! at least learning can be a part of failure. Nice article, Bob!
Welcome to our blog!
I agree, regret is a very powerful emotion, one that most people surely wish to avoid. That’s why its so important to link your fears… fear of failure, fear of rejection, and even fear of success.. to subsequent regret if you don’t take action. As you say, the key is to GO!
Thanks for your insights!
Bob that’s amazing. The feeling of regret ALWAYS outweighs that feeling or fear of rejection. I know that no matter how many times I was told (in past sales jobs) to “get over it” I just needed time. The more sales presentations I put on, the more comfortable I became in uncomfortable situations.
It’s like anything, you just need practice. The greatest part? Soon you become so good at what you do that you don’t fear the “no” you just assume the “yes” by the end of the call/presentation.
Jon
That’s very true, Jon.
Many times we need to practice to get comfortable and hopefully we can detach from the result and just engulf ourselves in the PROCESS.
That’s when you take huge strides in your business (or your sales quota!).
Thanks for your insights, Jon!
Hello Bob,
At one point in my life, I was selling insurance and securities. Talk about learning about rejection! It wasn’t so much a fear of rejection, but the knowledge that I had to make sales or go broke…which I finally did. I promised my wife and myself I would never get in that situation again. So for me to sell stuff, I need to have something else going on, the sales go in the “gravy boat”. So I handle rejection by saying, “Oh well, at least I can still pay the bills.”
Lou Barba
That certainly is one way to circumnavigate the issue of fear of rejection, Lou!
When you need to take action or won’t be able to pay the bills, it puts it into a different perspective. Thanks for sharing this viewpoint!
Appreciate the comment, Lou!
Agree with you. Whenever I fear something I just ask myself what ‘s the worst that can happen. And it’s simply that things will just stay as they are right now.
Welcome Catarina!
Yes, sometimes the worst that can happen is indeed that nothing will change. That’s when you KNOW you need to take action, even risks.
Appreciate your comment. See you again soon, Catarina!
I’ve come to realize most people claiming to blog as a part time enthusiast “just for fun” are merely afraid to take it further…tweeted!
Hi Dennis,
Appreciate the tweet! I agree — many people blow off the idea of taking things to the next level out of fear of failure or rejection. And that’s such a shame.
Thanks for the comment, Dennis! See you again soon.
Hi Bob,
what a great way of dragging the fear-thing from the dark into the light. Fear loves nothing more than darkness and hates nothing more than light and clarity. Especially the last question is very powerful: How much will I regret if I never try ?
Thanks for sharing your insights. I am sure you are a great guest blogger.
Take care
Oliver
Hi Oliver,
Yes, I love that last question. Above all, we shouldn’t have regrets that we never tried! As the old saying goes, the only way you can truly fail is to never try. I try to live my life according to this.
Thanks for the insight, Oliver. Great to see you here again!
Overcoming The Fear of Rejection…
Overcoming the fear of rejection is essential if you’re going to succeed in Network Marketing or any business related to sales. I’ve identified 3 simple questions that will help you overcome the fear of rejection in your business… or your personal …
Dr Bob. You really put things into perspective. Fear of rejection has ALWAYS been my biggest bugbear. I know that using your simple 3 step strategy will help me build my business.
Glad your found this information useful, Noela. I am a natural procrastinator and find the fear of rejection is at the top of my list for procrastinating. So I’ve developed this 3 question formula out of necessity! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Noela!