How To Gamify Rejection With Emily McDonald

Let’s talk about something we all face as entrepreneurs: rejection. It can sting, it can bruise our egos, but guess what? It doesn’t have to hold us back. In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with the amazing Emily McDonald, a fellow coach and entrepreneur who has truly mastered the art of turning rejection into rocket fuel for her business.  

Emily’s story is incredibly inspiring. She started her first business, The Stylist LA, a women’s clothing rental company, way back in 2009. Since then, she’s navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, scaled her business to seven figures, raised venture capital, and even hired her first coach (who inspired her to become a coach herself!).  

Emily’s “Year of Nos”

One of the most fascinating parts of Emily’s story is her “Year of Nos.” Back in 2016, she decided to flip the script on rejection and gamify the whole process.  

She set a goal to get as many “nos” as possible, and in doing so, she completely shifted her mindset. Rejection became a challenge, a game, and a sign that she was putting herself out there and going after what she wanted.  

During her “Year of Nos,” Emily landed some incredible opportunities, including dressing the contestants of The Bachelor (which led to even more amazing things for her business!).  

Why This Matters for YOU

Emily’s story is a powerful reminder that rejection is not a full stop. It’s a comma, a pause, a chance to learn, grow, and come back even stronger.

Here are a few key takeaways from our conversation:

• Rejection is inevitable. The more you put yourself out there, the more “nos” you’re going to get.  
• It’s not personal. Most of the time, rejection has nothing to do with you. It’s about the other person, the timing, the circumstances.  
• You can choose how you respond. You can let rejection crush you, or you can use it as fuel to grow.  

How to Gamify Rejection

Ready to turn those “nos” into your biggest wins? Here’s how:

1. Set a “no” goal. How many rejections can you rack up in a week, a month, or a year?
2. Track your progress. Keep a list of all the pitches, proposals, and applications you send out, and celebrate each “no” as a sign of your courage and determination.
3. Focus on the positive. What did you learn from each rejection? How can you use it to improve your approach?
4. Don’t give up. The more you practice, the easier it gets.

The Power of Mindset

Emily also shared some incredible insights on the power of mindset. She emphasized the importance of:

• Believing in yourself. You have something unique to offer the world. Don’t let rejection dim your light.  

Connect with Emily

I highly encourage you to connect with Emily on Instagram (@founder.mhy) and check out her amazing Money Flows Workbook. She’s a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for female entrepreneurs!