From dating to jobs, Gen Z is facing so much rejection that experts say they need training to cope

Gen Zs, often assumed to be the rebellious generation, apparently need "rejection training." From jobs to relationships, they're notably the generation that faces rejection more often than not, according to Indy 100. James Mishreki, founder of Skin + Me, a UK-based skincare brand, believes this constant rejection takes a toll on Gen Z's mental health, but with a change in perspective, it could be turned into something positive.

The expert even credited his success to something he calls "rejection training" — to seek out dismissal to foster resilience, avoid burnout, and, most importantly, build higher dreams. He said, while we all envy rejection, it could, in fact, be the greatest motivation for long-term success. The former poker player and a successful business owner, Mishreki, said, "When success comes too easily – whether inherited or a lottery win — it robs you of the growth that comes from struggle. Although it hurts in the moment, being rejected is what makes you stronger — it’s an opportunity to learn and grow." But how does this training work? Mishreki suggested a few steps that could help you master the art of celebrating rejections and coming out a winner. First, he urged people to set a target and aim for 10-25 rejections weekly. "When I first moved to London, I reached out to around 100 founders and investors daily, tracking each 'no,'" he said. The businessman confessed that the rejections were helping him open doors to his brand, Skin + Me.

Mishreki confessed that at one point, he had set a target of 25 rejections a day, which later became a driving force in his success. Next, the entrepreneur insisted they note down every rejection and learn from it. Mishreki then asked people to avoid generic outreach, accept rejection, and move forward. The businessman recounted how repeated denials from investors in his early career changed his game altogether. Mishreki said the  £500k investment being turned down was the best thing that could have happened to him. Emphasizing it, he asked people to follow and embrace discomfort because that's when growth happens. The last step is to celebrate the rejection and not cry over it. "Burnout happens when you take every 'no' as a personal failure. Once you learn to see rejection as the goal, not the threat, you take the weight off your shoulders – that’s what makes you burnout-proof," Mishreki added. The entrepreneur was 100% accurate, as many scientific studies have supported the notion. Milka Waniak, a researcher in her paper, "Viewing Rejection as a Positive Experience Helps People Perform Better and Motivates Them to Persist," explained that "rejection reappraisal," that is, seeing rejection positively and constructively, motivates people to try again.

Now, the study proved that viewing rejection differently didn't necessarily influence how they perceived the outcome; rather, their feelings about themselves. This explains why, despite early failures, Mishreki worked hard and grew his business, which scaled to £37 million in revenue within four years. So, the next time you fear failure or rejection, remember, it's a stepping stone to your long-term success. 

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