In an age the place creatives battle with imposter syndrome and the paralysing worry of placing themselves on the market, Inventive Increase’s personal community, The Studio, continues to supply sanctuary for trustworthy conversations in regards to the realities of inventive work. It is the place vulnerability replaces performative success tales and the place sensible knowledge comes from those that’ve genuinely walked the trail.
Folks like Liz Mosley, a seasoned graphic designer with over 16 years of expertise who made an uncommon resolution: to actively search 100 rejections in six months.
In her workshop session, Liz shared the profound classes from this counter-intuitive experiment and why embracing rejection turned the important thing to unlocking each private resilience {and professional} alternatives.
The second that modified all the pieces
Liz introduced a hard-earned perspective to The Studio’s neighborhood. As a specialist in inventive branding and web sites for small companies and host of the Constructing Your Model podcast, her profession appeared profitable from the surface. However beneath the floor lay a well-recognized inventive battle: the worry of rejection that retains so many gifted professionals taking part in small.
The catalyst got here when Chris Do, a high-profile business determine, declined to seem on her podcast as a result of her viewers wasn’t giant sufficient. Relatively than retreat into disgrace, Liz skilled a revelation that might reshape her whole strategy to inventive enterprise.
As she defined to Studio members: “As soon as I acknowledged that possibly this mindset was holding me again, I requested, ‘How can I flip this round?'” This query sparked what she calls her “100 Rejections Problem”. It was a deliberate pursuit of the very factor most creatives spend their careers making an attempt to keep away from.
Rejection as progress, not failure
The session’s central premise challenged all the pieces most creatives imagine about success. Liz reframed rejection from an indication of inadequacy to proof of progress: “If I am getting rejected, I am on the suitable path—issues are going as anticipated. I am pushing myself.”
She tracked each pitch, follow-up, and response, initially in a spreadsheet, earlier than making the method extra playful with a sticker chart—turning potential disgrace right into a recreation.
The psychological breakthrough was fast: “The minute I made a decision to do the rejection problem, my mindset shifted instantly. I turned it right into a win-win scenario for myself.” Studio members discovered this strategy notably highly effective as a result of it addressed the emotional obstacles that always outweigh technical abilities in inventive careers.
The arithmetic of inventive braveness
Liz shared insights that resonated deeply with attendees navigating pricing, pitching and self-promotion. Her perspective on pricing rejection was notably enlightening: “If everyone seems to be saying sure to your pricing, then it isn’t excessive sufficient,” she stated. “There needs to be a sure variety of purchasers rejecting you.”
This reframe helped Studio members perceive rejection as market suggestions quite than private judgment. As Liz defined by means of her personal expertise of being on the receiving finish of pitches: “I realised the explanations I flip individuals down are hardly ever as a result of they are a horrible particular person. It is often about timing or match.”
The session explored how this shift in perspective builds rejection resilience. That is not a lot the elimination of emotional response (nobody expects you to be a psychopath) however the skill to get well sooner. “It is not such as you’re fastened ceaselessly,” she stresses. “What adjustments is that you just get well faster as a result of you’ve got new tales to inform your self.”
From rejection to sudden alternative
Essentially the most compelling facet of Liz’s speak was how some rejections led to stunning victories. Her systematic strategy to in search of “no” finally resulted in touchdown her dream podcast sponsor and, sarcastically, being invited onto Chris Do’s podcast—the particular person whose rejection had initially sparked her journey.
This final result completely illustrated her core message: “Failure is progress. When you go to the fitness center and need to construct muscle, it’s a must to do reps till you fail—that is the way you develop.” Studio members related deeply with this analogy, recognising how inventive progress requires the identical systematic strategy to discomfort.
Liz additionally emphasised the sudden community-building energy of sharing rejection tales. “I attempt to share about rejection as a lot as doable as a result of individuals do not discuss it sufficient,” she stated. This transparency created connection quite than disgrace, difficult the polished narratives that dominate social media.
Studying from lived expertise
Liz’s session exemplifies The Studio’s dedication to bringing genuine voices to its neighborhood. These aren’t theoretical frameworks delivered by consultants faraway from inventive realities. As a substitute, they’re trustworthy reflections from practitioners who perceive that creativity requires each talent and braveness—and that the latter is usually tougher to develop.
The vulnerability Liz confirmed in sharing her journey created area for Studio members to look at their very own relationship with danger, validation and ambition. Her willingness to quantify and systematise one thing as private as rejection supplied a sensible bridge between emotional progress {and professional} growth.
Prepared to rework your relationship with rejection and unlock new inventive prospects? Be a part of the 1000’s of creatives who’ve found that the conversations altering their careers are taking place proper now. The neighborhood that understands your challenges—and your potential—is ready to welcome you.
