27 Rejections Won’t Stop Me: The Dr. Seuss Guide to Pursuing Our Dreams

Theodor Seuss Geisel's journey is a story of facing rejection with unwavering resilience, much like the stories we find ourselves navigating in entrepreneurship and life. After graduating from Dartmouth College with dreams of becoming a cartoonist and writer, Geisel quickly learned that the path to fulfilling our dreams is far from a straight line. His early career was marked by multiple rejections that could have stopped most people.

His first book, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street," was turned down 27 times... It's a stark reminder that even the most imaginative and unique visions can initially be met with closed doors.

Despite these setbacks, Geisel didn't allow the word 'NO' to define his capabilities or limit his potential. He continued creating by illustrating for advertising campaigns and crafting political cartoons during the tough times of World War II. This was a two-year period where he drew over 400 political cartoons. Some of the characters and styles he developed during that period became a foundation for his future creations. While seemingly off the path to his dream, the time frame was an invaluable period of growth. They sharpened his voice and refined his skills, preparing him for an unknown future.

A friend in publishing who believed in Geisel's talent, suggested he try just one more publisher. That leap of faith finally got "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" published. This marked the beginning of an illustrious career, birthing over 60 beloved books, including "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham."

Dr. Seuss's legacy goes beyond the pages of his books; he has sold over 600 million copies and his story provides incredible lessons. It's a reminder, whether in business, creative endeavors, or personal growth, that resilience and determination are key to overcoming challenges. All parts of the journey contribute to who we are and who we are becoming.

The Value of One More Time

How many of us have stopped after multiple NOs or multiple bad experiences?

How many of us have doubted ourselves even when we knew it was going to be hard?

How many of us have lost confidence even when we knew it was going to take a long time?

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one." - Dr. Seuss

By revisiting our expectations and original thought of taking longer, hearing NOs, and understanding it only takes one YES to turn our world around, we have to:

• Ask for help

• Ask for encouragement

• Seek feedback

• Keep showing up to get that opportunity

If we repeat this daily, the one YES will stick with us, and the NOs become a great story.

We can do this, and the WE includes YOU.

Seeking Feedback Can Become a Habit

Understanding that feedback is valuable is great, but how can we integrate it into our experiences?

1. Have a goal for the feedback- is it to improve and adjust, or is it to boost confidence?

2. The source of feedback matters - ask people you work with or who have seen you in scenarios relevant to where you want to go.

3. Ask the right questions to receive helpful answers - Open-ended questions are ideal such as "How could I have made that better?" or "Who should I speak to for gaining more experience?"

4. Please be aware of how we accept the feedback - sometimes we react or shift the conversation away when receiving a true gift of feedback.

5. It becomes easier and less stressful the more we ask and receive it. You can start that process today and make it a habit to continue the growth you were meant to gain.

"Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!" - Dr. Seuss

This newsletter is officially one year old and I want to thank every one of the 63,000 subscribers who give some of their attention every month. I commit to bringing positivity and valuable experiences, and I'm always open to feedback. Some exciting updates are coming here for the next newsletter. In gratitude, Navin.