Download ArticleDownload Article

Can you use rejection and its humiliating feelings to become successful, or to get strong? If fear of rejection hampers your choices, then the Rejection Therapy Game may be your answer. Shying away from emotionally painful situations is natural, but if you find that it's restricting your life, it might be time to try a little rejection.

  1. How.com.vn English: LR22 D Keira Thinks with Pencil.png
    1
    Write requests on index cards. You should be able to ask these questions, either to someone you know or to a stranger, and accept "no" for an answer. Write requests that you are likely to be turned down for, so that you can win more quickly. Here are some examples:
    • A good discount on purchases of services or products
    • Sell something to them for a rather high price
    • Play a sports game in a stranger's yard
    • Take a picture with a person (for no reason)
    • Piece of chewing gum
    • Ride in their car
    • Get a date
    • Phone number

    Tip: It should only be something you're okay with actually doing. For example, don't ask someone out unless you're good with the answer being yes.

  2. How.com.vn English: LR22 SS MC Pablo Talks to Maggie.png
    2
    Grab a card and try to get rejected. Ask for something that you expect to be turned down for, because if the answer is "yes," it doesn't count. In order to win the 30-Day Challenge, you must experience at least 1 rejection per day for 30 days.
    • If someone says yes, it means you haven't won yet! Grab another card or find a different person to ask.
    • If someone says no, you won! Nod graciously, accept the answer, and walk away in triumph.
    Advertisement
  3. How.com.vn English: LR22 D Luke Talking Calmly.png
    3
    Be considerate and polite with your requests. Be conscious of the other person's boundaries, and make it clear that this is a casual request (with no pressure).
    • Keep all your requests and comments respectful of the other person's body. Don't say anything sexual or rude about their appearance.
    • Take no for an answer. If the person says no, say "okay," shrug your shoulders, and walk away.
    • Recognize that some people have a very strong sense of stranger danger (particularly more vulnerable groups, such as women and disabled people). If the person seems too uncomfortable, apologize and leave.
  4. How.com.vn English: LR22 D Grace and Tommy at a Park.png
    4
    Start small. Try holding a practice session by explaining the game to a family member, and having them reject a request. Then move on to the request that feels least stressful to you (for example, maybe you want to ask your dad to let you sit shotgun today).
  5. How.com.vn English: LR22 D Alan Takes a Deep Breath.png
    5
    Cope with the no. This may be difficult if you are usually afraid of rejection. Give yourself a little extra pampering and remind yourself that it's okay. It will get easier with practice. As you improve, you will begin to get used to strange looks, rude comments from grumpy people, and outright dismissal of everything you're "trying" to achieve.
    • Rejection can actually be a good thing. If someone rejects you or your request, it wasn't a good fit anyway. Think of rejection as a gift and a catalyst for you to get into a better situation where you are accepted and successful.
  6. How.com.vn English: LR22 D Rose Smiles at the Beach.png
    6
    Recognize what you have to gain. Rejection therapy can help you become braver and more emotionally resilient, because you will become better able to handle a "no." The official website defines the "Five Objectives of The Rejection Therapy Game" as:
    • Be more aware of how irrational social fears control and restrict our lives
    • Smash the tyranny of fear and reap the treasures (treasures include wealth, relationships and self-confidence)
    • Learn from, and even enjoy each and every new rejection
    • Do not be attached to outcomes, especially when it involves the free agency of other people
    • Permit yourself to fail
  7. How.com.vn English: LR22 Mr and Mrs Bloom Chat.png
    7
    Keep practicing. Use and reuse your questions, on different people, one by one. Watch yourself become a stronger, braver person. By hearing enough "nos," you'll learn to make more requests about things that actually matter to you, which will sooner or later lead to hearing "yes."
  8. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • The game doesn't require anything to play, but if you'd prefer some help, you can purchase some materials. You could consider buying a set of optional suggestion questions as game playing cards, if you like, online. There are also iPhone app of cards or Android app of cards, said to be compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad[1].
      • Prest-O-Change-O: If you want to eventually becoming a sales representative or pollster you could change the game to begin to "answer customer objections," and begin to get "yes," for although "no" is still acceptable, it would no longer be your goal!
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Don't ask a question if you aren't prepared for a "yes." Sometimes people may surprise you. For example, don't ask someone for a date if you aren't willing to go on a date with them, and don't offer to sell something to someone if you aren't willing to part with it.
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      How.com.vn English: Sabrina Grover, LMSW
      Co-authored by:
      Licensed Master Social Worker
      This article was co-authored by Sabrina Grover, LMSW. Sabrina Grover, LMSW is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who earned her degree in Advanced Clinical Practice from New York University. Sabrina has experience working in substance abuse recovery centers and schools where she gained experience providing evidence-based treatment to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Sabrina specializes in Dialectical, Narrative, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. She has particular expertise in treating clients struggling with grief, complex trauma, interpersonal difficulty, family conflict, anxiety, and depression. She commits to providing a supportive environment for everyone who commits to growth and offering a warm, non-judgmental atmosphere. This article has been viewed 66,306 times.
      4 votes - 80%
      Co-authors: 7
      Updated: December 11, 2022
      Views: 66,306
      Categories: Handling Rejection
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 66,306 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How.com.vn English: Gowtham Aithabathula

        Gowtham Aithabathula

        Jan 8, 2017

        "This article helped me to understand the rejection therapy game, and gave confidence to look for rejections in a..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      ⚠️ Disclaimer:

      Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
      Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.

      Notices:
      • - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
      • - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
      • - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
      • - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.

      Advertisement