I didn't get picked. So now I'm questioning everything I bring to the table.

I've been there. And whether it's a promotion, a friendship or a relationship, I know how quickly "they didn't choose me" can turn into "I'm not good enough."

In this episode, I'm talking about that gut-punch feeling of being passed over, and how I can acknowledge the hurt without letting someone else's decision define my worth.

I'm sharing a conversation with a client whose company restructure left her in a role she hadn't asked for and didn't want. On paper, it looked like a demotion. But when we stepped back and looked at what was happening around her, a very different picture emerged.

That conversation got me thinking about the things I've chased, the recognition I've wanted and the times I've assumed that getting chosen would finally make me feel good enough.

From wanting the front-and-centre spot in dance class to getting caught up in overscheduling my children, I've had my own lessons in confusing achievement with worth. And I'm asking a question that might feel a little uncomfortable: am I happy, or am I distracted by the applause?

What you will learn:

- How I separate what happened from the story I'm telling myself about it.
- Why I question the pull of titles, status and the next badge of honour.
- What I've learned about showing leadership without waiting for a promotion.
- How I recognise the conversations that pull me further into a spiral and step away.
- Why I can feel disappointed and still recognise what's good in my life.

I also share one simple writing exercise to help separate the facts from the labels, and explain why a pause before reacting can make such a difference.

I'm not pretending rejection doesn't hurt. I'm exploring what becomes possible when I stop treating it as a verdict on who I am.

If "why wasn't I chosen?" has been taking up too much space lately, join me for this episode.

Resources

If you enjoy these conversations, I send an email every Sunday where I share a little more, some of what I'm learning, what I'm thinking about and things I don't always get to talk about here.

https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/816991/142538089324086821/share

Connect With Me

- Email me: jenny@jennymcoaching.com
- Instagram: @jennymcoaching
- LinkedIn: Jenny Maxwell Coaching

This episode was produced by www.keystepsupport.com