Surprising Lessons From 100 Days of Rejection: Jia Jiang at TEDxAustin

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker shares a personal journey of pursuing entrepreneurship despite facing rejection, fear, and doubts. He reflects on how life-changing moments, like a box of donuts and his wife's unwavering support, led him to embrace the fear of rejection. By using 'Rejection Therapy,' he actively sought out rejection and found that it brought unexpected opportunities and insights. Ultimately, he explores the universal nature of rejection, its power to shape success, and the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pursuing your purpose in life can sometimes lead to unexpected challenges and setbacks, like a dashed dream or a rejection.
• 😀 Rejection can be painful, but it’s an unavoidable part of pursuing any big dream or goal.
• 😀 A single act, like a box of donuts, can change the trajectory of your life and lead to unexpected moments of kindness.
• 😀 The speaker’s journey went through a significant transformation, marked by the difference between 'before donuts' and 'after donuts'.
• 😀 The idea of rejection therapy, developed by Jason Cley, encourages people to seek out rejection as a way to overcome fear and grow stronger.
• 😀 The speaker’s journey involved seeking out bizarre rejections, like asking for a burger refill or pretending to be a police officer, and learning from those experiences.
• 😀 Rejection can be a powerful teacher; over time, repeated rejection can help people become better and more resilient in their pursuits.
• 😀 Successful people, including President Obama, CS Lewis, and Steven Spielberg, faced numerous rejections before achieving their most notable accomplishments.
• 😀 Rejection is not a sign of failure but an inevitable part of the path to success; each 'no' brings you closer to a 'yes'.
• 😀 Embracing rejection and pushing through fear can lead to personal growth, new opportunities, and the eventual realization of dreams.

Q & A

What is the core message the speaker is trying to convey in the story about rejection?

The core message is that rejection is a universal and constant experience that everyone faces. However, rejection is not the end but a step in the process of success. It can be painful but also an opportunity for growth, and the key is to keep going despite setbacks.

How did the speaker’s wife contribute to his entrepreneurial journey?

The speaker's wife played a pivotal role by encouraging him to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur. She gave him a timeframe to follow his passion and warned him not to have any regrets. Her support and courage helped him overcome his fear of failure.

What is 'Rejection Therapy' and how did it impact the speaker?

Rejection Therapy is a game developed by Jason Kley, where the goal is to seek out rejection in order to desensitize oneself to it. The speaker embraced this challenge by trying to get rejected in various situations, and it helped him overcome his fear of rejection while gaining confidence and learning valuable life lessons.

What was the significance of the 'box of donuts' in the speaker's story?

The box of donuts symbolizes a turning point in the speaker's life. It was a gesture of unexpected kindness from a Krispy Kreme employee, Jackie, who offered him free donuts after he requested a custom donut design. This act of kindness was impactful, and the story went viral, further illustrating the power of small, meaningful moments in life.

What personal transformation did the speaker undergo as a result of his experiences?

The speaker's transformation was marked by a shift in perspective regarding rejection. Initially devastated by rejection, he learned to see it as an inevitable and valuable part of his journey. He became more resilient, learned not to fear failure, and embraced the idea that rejection is merely a number that eventually leads to success.

How did the viral video about the donuts affect the speaker's life?

The viral video of the speaker receiving donuts from Jackie had a profound effect on his life. It garnered millions of views and led to emails from people expressing how his journey of overcoming rejection resonated with them. This feedback reinforced the speaker's belief in the importance of pursuing one's dreams without fear of rejection.

What role did the speaker's cultural background play in his entrepreneurial journey?

The speaker's cultural background, growing up in Beijing, shaped his early ambitions to become a successful entrepreneur like Bill Gates. His desire to break free from the expectations of his homeland, where being a revolutionary leader or model worker was the norm, motivated him to seek a different path in life.

What is the speaker’s view on the relationship between success and rejection?

The speaker views rejection as an integral part of the path to success. He argues that the higher you go in life, the more rejection you will face. Instead of seeing rejection as a failure, he believes that it is simply a step toward eventual success, as even great leaders and successful individuals have faced rejection numerous times.

What does the speaker learn from the stories of other successful people like C.S. Lewis and Abraham Lincoln?

The speaker learns that rejection is a common experience even for the most successful individuals. He shares examples like C.S. Lewis, who was rejected 800 times before selling his first manuscript, and Abraham Lincoln, who faced repeated rejection before becoming president. These stories emphasize that persistence in the face of rejection can lead to eventual success.

How does the speaker propose to address the fear of rejection in society?

The speaker plans to address the fear of rejection by continuing to share his journey and researching ways to help people overcome this fear. He believes that societal acceptance and kindness can reduce the stigma of rejection, and he is determined to find solutions through traditional media or new technology to help people confront and overcome their fear of rejection.