On Rejection: Shaun Gold
Shaun talks about moving past rejections to create the work you want to see.
Welcome! This is a new(ish) interview series called On Rejection. Every other week, I’m inviting in people from every walk of life to talk about their experiences with rejection and how they got over it.
This week, we’re joined by Shaun Gold, who writes Youtopian Journey, a really lovely Substack graphic novel about self-improvement. Enjoy!
Tell us about a time you experienced rejection.
​Just one time? Life is nothing but a series of rejections so we must strengthen ourselves to get used to it. Anytime you are going to make an attempt at something that is worthy, you will face rejection. The key is not to be broken by it. I have been rejected by investors, game shows, film producers, publishing houses, schools, etc. But I keep going as I know that rejections are stepping stones to success.Â
How did you get over it?
I lost count of the many rejections I have had. But my mindset is to reject the rejections. It is the founder going out for funding for the 1000th time even though they had 999 rejections. It is the writer who attempts to get a publishing deal, even though every major publishing house turned them down. It is the creator who looks at meaninglessness and crafts meaning out of it. They all reject the rejections. I think this is a motto that we can all follow, regardless of what we are going after.
If you could go back and tell yourself anything right before or after that experience, what would you say?
It takes countless rejections to get to that coveted yes. If I could go back, I would prepare myself with that knowledge. There is a quote by Rainer Maria Rilke that I would commit to memory. "The purpose of life is to be defeated by greater and greater things." Now this may seem pessimistic but if you are truly trying and taking risks and making an attempt at something, it will resonate. Those who get rejected have the guts to go out there and make an attempt. You can't be defeated unless you are attempting to gain a victory. So few are even making an attempt and are playing it safe.
Are there any graphic novels about dealing with rejection that you would recommend?Â
No, which is precisely why I am creating my own graphic novel. But the YouTopian Journey is more than a graphic novel, it is a guide for life. The art supports the lessons I write about in the Substack, which has thousands of subscribers around the world. Check it out, I promise it will help.
Love it, thank you for having me!
"But my mindset is to reject the rejections." Great mindset, Shaun! Love the interview, Valorie!