In any job that involves sales, rejection is common, and real estate is no exception. In fact, it is likely that you will handle rejection on a regular basis, perhaps even daily. This includes those prospective clients you spend a long time wooing who stand you up at a showing or long-time clients who suddenly decided to go with another agent. It can be heartbreaking.

Aside from the frustration of having lost a potential sale, you will certainly feel the rejection personally. After a while, you may even start to second-guess yourself. Many agents reach a point where the rejection is too much to handle, and they look for a career in another field. But this doesn’t have to be you. Learning ways to manage the disappointment of rejection can help you overcome it and keep you moving forward toward success.

Coming back from a rejection

Unquestionably, client rejection can be hurtful. The trick is to learn not to be afraid of it or to allow fear of rejection to paralyze your ability to be a great real estate agent. Rejection in this industry is rarely personal no matter how personal it may seem. More often, clients have their own reasons for going with another agent. Nevertheless, you might find yourself listening to the negative thoughts that say you are a failure or second-guessing your abilities. To overcome your fear, try the following:

• Recognize that rejection is just part of your job.
• Keep track of your successes and rejections so you know how many rejections you can expect before getting a yes.
• Refute those negative thoughts using positive statements.
• Review your accomplishments and successes at the end of each day.
• Acknowledge when a rejection makes you feel sad or discouraged, but don’t dwell on the negative emotions.
• Figure out what you can learn from the rejection, including asking the client what you could have done differently.
• Schedule your time with a routine that keeps you moving toward the next success instead of wallowing in rejection.

One thing that can prevent you from allowing rejection to lead to failure is to remind yourself frequently why you chose to be a real estate agent. Make a list and keep it where you can see it so you will always have your goals and your purpose in front of you. This way, when rejection comes along, you will have immediate inspiration that will help you rebuild your confidence.