"Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you!" - Oprah Winfrey

Creatives and self-preneurs thrive on choices, an abundance of opportunity and the freedom to explore. Heck, this is why most creative professionals decide to launch their own biz or pursue their creative side hustle in the first place. These dreamers and go-getters adore flexibility as much as they do options, and they don’t want any individual raining on their parade. However, the desire to obtain flexibility and get what you want, when you want, doesn’t always happen. People get rejected in their personal lives and careers quite often, and it can be upsetting, frustrating, disappointing and incredibly confusing.

Being told "no" as a professional can seem like a personal insult and an assault on one’s endless imagination and aspirations. But, what if a “no” could lead to the greatest “yes” of your career?

Breakdowns lead to breakthroughs and if you choose to seek the positive lessons that comes from being told “no,” you will find yourself turning into a yes (wo)man. Here are just a few of the ways being told no can positively impact you.

• No can lead to greater focus.
• No can force you to think about how you work. Remember, it’s important to work smarter, not harder.
• No can strengthen your communication skills.
• No and constructive feedback can give you an advantage and make your idea or product stronger.
• No can lead to an even greater opportunity.

So eject (forward) from your reject, love your becoming and keep on pouring your creative juices into the world. It may take a few batches to get the right recipe for success, but you'll find that the juice was worth the squeeze.