Rejecting Rejection
Rejections stinks!
When most people hear the word “reject” they think of the negative – unfit, not up to a certain standard, not good enough, or something with problems. Rejection comes in many forms, but most people must deal with it some time during their life. More often than not, you hear about people experiencing rejection in relationships or when looking for a job. No matter how you define it, rejection stinks.
If you are looking for a job, it can be hard not to take rejection personally. You send out resumes, talk to recruiters, go on interviews, and then play the “waiting game.” Those lucky enough to get a letter or e-mail from a company receive the “thank you for interest in our company, but we have decided to go with other candidates at this time.” How do you keep from asking yourself if it had anything to do with you personally? Insecurities can hit full force if you let them, but remember it might not even be you.
A while back, I asked out a girl in whom I was interested. She turned me down. It was a painful time where I kept questioning why she said no. Was it me? Was it her? Was it bad timing? Not only was I driving myself crazy asking questions, but I was asking one of my good friends these same questions driving him crazy as well.
I guess the real question is does it make any difference if you know why you were rejected? What would you do with this information? Will you dwell on it or will you use it to improve yourself?
Photo Credit: By comedy_nose
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What Have I Gotten Myself Into – The Peachtree Edition
"Run Scott run!"
Have you ever had one of those moments where you said you would do something and in hindsight you look back and say to yourself, “What was I thinking?!” I am experiencing one of those moments right now. Back in March I signed up for the Peachtree Road Race thinking I would do plenty of training and be ready for it this year. (Insert major laugh and “YEAH RIGHT!” right about here.) I did the race last year and in 2008 – last year I did it in about 90 minutes and in 2008 I was just happy I finished it still on my feet. You could easily say that I’m a glutton for punishment, but I paid the money and I’m a man of my word, so I’m going to stick to it and earn that t-shirt (the one I’ve already paid for by entering the race). This year I’ll probably end up walking at least 75% of the race, if not all of it.
The thought of running/walking 6.2 miles in the morning heat on July 4 just isn’t too exciting right now, so I’ve created a playlist on my iPod to help me make it through. Any of my friends out there reading this, if you’re in the area…feel free to come and cheer me on if you’d like – I could easily use the encouragement! Here are the songs I’ve used to create my Peachtree Road Race 2011 playlist (and no laughing or judging on my choice of music…I like a mixture of styles, but mainly went with upbeat Top 40 songs to keep me moving – I also have two nieces and two nephews that listen to my iPod when I see them so some of these songs reflect that as well).
- Let’s Get It Started – The Black Eyed Peas
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ – Michael Jackson
- Written in The Stars – Tinie Tempah (featuring Eric Turner)
- Tonight Tonight – Hot Chelle Rae
- Blow (Cirkut Remix) – Ke$ha
- On The Floor – Jennifer Lopez (featuring Pit Bull)
- Love Addict – Family Force 5
- Hella Good – No Doubt
- Earthquake – Family Force 5
- Crazy in Love – Beyonce (featuring Jay Z)
- Bulletproof – La Roux
- That Was Her, This Is Me – Dream (featuring Diddy)
- Lose My Breath – Destiny’s Child
- Bring Me to Life – Evanescence
- If I Can’t Have You – Kelly Clarkson
- In The End (remix) – Linkin Park
- This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
- Supermassive Black Hole – Muse
- Energy – Skillet
- Sweet Sacrifice – Evanescence
- Round & Round (remix) – Selena Gomez and the Scene
- It Takes Two – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
- Boom – POD
- Best Kept Secret – Skillet
- Connected – Stereo MCs
- New Sensation – INXS
- In My Pocket – Mandy Moore
- Hey Baby – No Doubt
- We Will Rock You -Queen
- We Are The Champions – Queen
What songs are on your race or workout playlist?
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Leadership Elements
Last Thursday, I completed a four week workshop on leadership called “Leadership Elements.” (Thank you Mark Shull for recommending it!) Each of the four weeks focused on a different topic regarding being a leader. What is so great about this information is it can be used in various different environments – in the work place, at church, or even within your group of friends. Here are just a few of the “take-aways” that I learned.
- Influence, not position is what allows us to lead people.
- Influence is always in motion.
- Fair or unfair, we are often judged on the perception of our leadership, not the reality of our leadership.
- Influence comes from who you are, not just what you do.
- Leadership begins with character and ends with influence.
- Competence might make you a leader, but character gives you influence.
- People might not always listen, but they never fail to imitate.
- If you don’t know where you are, you can’t get from there to where you need to be.
- Self-awareness helps prevent hypocrisy.
- You can’t lead others past where you are.
- Self-awareness leads to compassion for others.
- A person who doesn’t have an awareness of their shortcomings comes across as pity.
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Why I Do What I Do
Writing is one of my passions.
Recently, several people have asked me what exactly it means to be an Online Content Manager. My job consisted of writing original content for the blogs of about 30 apartment complexes. I would write on anything including attractions in the surrounding area, upcoming concerts and events, and general apartment living posts. All of the posts had to be connected in some way to the respective apartment property.
I love writing because it allows me to be creative and to share with others information I’ve learned or that I currently know regarding any given topic. You can share your thoughts and let others know what is on your mind. It’s also a great way to help clear your mind of any stress – when you put pen to paper (or in this case fingers to keyboard) it’s like a part of you flows out of the words that come out on the screen. Reading is another thing I enjoy and it also helps me expand on my writing skills when I see how others write.
To give you a better idea of what I did at my last job, here are some examples of blog posts I wrote.
- Playing In Traffic Has Never Been So Much Fun!
- Dragon Con Comes To Atlanta
- Atlanta Food Bank Serving The Community
Photo Credit: By Kristian D.
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Strength
"HIS strength is perfect..."
At times it can be scary to have God reveal something to you. Maybe I should explain exactly what it is that I mean. Sunday of last week, the sermon at church was on having strength in your fears (from Rodney Anderson – select Part 2 at bottom). The rest of the week I had different things concerning “strength” stuck in my head. Two songs kept repeating in my head – one song by Chris Tomlin that says “strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord…” and Steven Curtis Chapman’s “His Strength Is Perfect.”
Later in the week I kept having these Bible verses that were stuck in my head:
1 Chronicles 16:11 – “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”
Psalm 18:32 – “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”
Isaiah 12:2 – “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Isaiah 40:31 – “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
The whole week I kept thinking “What is it with this strength theme in my life this week?!” Well, I found out on Friday…I lost my job. It’s weird when God prepares you for something that is about to happen (especially when you don’t know that it is coming).
Photo Credit: By Beverly & Pack
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Scott Couey 