Wow, I have to say, putting yourself out there after 35 feels a little different, yes? When you throw your hat in the ring for a promotion in your late 30s, it’s about wanting your impact to match your experience. Last month, I went for it. I polished off the record cards, practised my “super speeches” in front of the dog, and analysed all of the interview questions I thought I might be asked. Spoiler alert – it was wildly different to my expectations, which turned out to be a really good thing. More on this later.
I didn’t get it. A few years ago, that news would have sent me into a spiral of “not good enough.” But this time? Yes, I’m feeling empowered. If you’ve recently faced a “no,” pull up a chair and let’s talk about why redirection might actually be a massive hidden win.
When the news came that I didn’t get the role, I realized something fundamental: It’s a “not this, not now,” rather than a “never,” and that putting myself out there was enormous personal growth for me, personally.
What I Learned – the hidden “Yes”
Here is what that experience actually taught me:
- The Power of Prep: Preparing for an interview forced me to assess my wins. I realised I’ve done a lot. Even without the new role, I now have a fresh outlook and catalogue of my skills that I hadn’t acknowledged in years.
- Selling yourself is easier if you believe it: Despite knowing I’d done a lot, I’d never been able to sell myself; always playing myself down or not giving myself credit where it was due. Not this time – self belief shined through! Moving forward, I can take this new found confidence into my next opportunity.
- Clarifying What You Actually Want: Sometimes, when the “no” hits, you feel a tiny spark, which spurs you on into really mapping out how you want the future to look. Clarity = direction. Both of these things will lead to a “yes” at the right time for you!
- Feedback is your friend: As with most interviews, I received feedback. It turns out, the panel saw lots of the goodness I saw too. That’s not a failure to me; it’s validation.
Moving Forward with Intention
Writing this post, I initially used the word ‘rejection’ a lot. That’s not the kind of energy I’m here for now. It’s redirection. Redirection, in my view, is like a “reset” button. It’s an invitation to look at your current path and ask: “If not this now, then what or when?” Maybe it’s making space for a pivot you haven’t even considered yet. Or maybe it’s just a delay while you build yourself into the powerhouse woman you were born to be. Above anything else, acknowledge the win: You did the brave thing. You stood up and said, “I am worthy.” That act of self-advocacy, for me, is a victory in itself.
I’d love to hear about your wins 🙂 drop a comment below. If you missed the first post from BeB, find it here – Blooming Welcome
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