Advice on How to Handle Rejection

In Chapter 16 of 16 in her 2012 interview, author and food writer Cathy Erway answers "How Do You Deal With Rejection?"  Erway notes how dealing with rejection comes down to attitude and ego.  She reminds herself rejection is not about her and shifts focus on understanding the party saying no and why it would do so.  Cathy Erway is an author and food writer living in Brooklyn.  Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  She earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College.

Transcript: 

Erik Michielsen:  How do you deal with rejection?

Cathy Erway:  Rejection is actually -- it is a product of ego. I'm very easygoing, and if somebody rejects me and it's not a huge deal, I really handle it pretty well. Or if something, you know, I -- say I submitted to a poetry contest and I didn't get it, it's really not--I'm not going to be crushed, so I don't really get so worked up.

And if you didn't have a big ego, then you, there's no such thing as rejection, actually. It doesn't exist. It is something that you feel when you're--when somebody says no for whatever reason. You can take that to be, "Oh, I respect the way that person or that organization is thinking," and that's, it is what it is, you know? That's all it is. It's not about me, but let's think about what they were thinking, and that's their choice, okay. So, cool. But if you're thinking of it from only your point of view, "Oh," you know, "the world is -- It's me against the world. And the world is rejecting me." Then of course you're going to feel bad, so it's really about an attitude.

What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 1 of 17 in his 2012 interview, entrepreneur Doug Jaeger answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?"  He finds learning is getting easier and is pushing himself to learn coding and filmmaking.  Jaeger also notes how getting older affects energy levels and the need for rest.  Doug Jaeger is the co-founder of JaegerSloan, a multimedia design services firm in New York City.  His street front office doubles as the JS55 Gallery. Jaeger is also an adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts (SVA).  He graduated from Syracuse University.

How Family Relationships Change With Age - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 5 of 17 in his 2012 interview, entrepreneur Doug Jaeger answers "How are Your Family Relationships Changing as You Get Older?"  Jaeger shares how relationships with his mother and brother have changed after life events, including a father's passing, fatherhood, and, in Jaeger's case, starting a business.  Doug Jaeger is the co-founder of JaegerSloan, a multimedia design services firm in New York City.  His street front office doubles as the JS55 Gallery. Jaeger is also an adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts (SVA).  He graduated from Syracuse University.

Why to Partner in Business With Your Partner in Life - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 6 of 17 in his 2012 interview, entrepreneur Doug Jaeger answers "What is It Like to Partner in Business With Your Partner in Life?"  Jaeger shares what has happened since deciding to formally collaborate on creative projects, including co-founding a business, with his fiancee.  Doug Jaeger is the co-founder of JaegerSloan, a multimedia design services firm in New York City.  His street front office doubles as the JS55 Gallery. Jaeger is also an adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts (SVA).  He graduated from Syracuse University.

How to Break Out of a Comfort Zone - Yoav Gonen

In Chapter 4 of 11 in his 2011 interview, education reporter Yoav Gonen answers "Where is Your Comfort Zone and What Do You Do to Break Free of Living in It?"  Gonen finds it is easy to fall into a routine of coming home after a long work day and doing nothing.  He realizes the importance of pushing himself to get out and do things and how setting a schedule helps him do this.  Yoav Gonen is the education reporter for the New York Post newspaper in New York City.  He earned a Masters of Journalism degree from New York University and a BA in English from the University of Michigan.

How to Build and Use a Professional Network - Yoav Gonen

In Chapter 6 of 11 in his 2011 interview, education reporter Yoav Gonen answers "How Do You Use Your Network to Get Help Making Career and Life Decisions?"  Gonen notes the challenges he has had finding people ahead of him in career to emulate and contact.  As his career develops, he better understands the importance of identifying people reporting on education and sets out to better do this in coming months.  Yoav Gonen is the education reporter for the New York Post newspaper in New York City.  He earned a Masters of Journalism degree from New York University and a BA in English from the University of Michigan.

Grandmother Influences on Personal Growth - Yoav Gonen

In Chapter 7 of 11 in his 2011 interview, education reporter Yoav Gonen answers "How Have You Built a Relationship With Your Grandmother and How Has It Shaped Your Life?"  Gonen notes the importance of strong women in his life, especially his grandmothers.  Through counsel from both grandmothers and his mother, Gonen learns to be more confident and stand up for himself.  Yoav Gonen is the education reporter for the New York Post newspaper in New York City.  He earned a Masters of Journalism degree from New York University and a BA in English from the University of Michigan.

Doing More With Less to Achieve Personal Best - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 8 of 21 in his 2011 interview, Phil McKenzie answers "When Are You At Your Best?"  He finds he is at his best when he needs to be resourceful.  He compares his time working at Goldman Sachs and having deep investment bank resources at his disposal to becoming an entrepreneur and needing to create opportunities where they may not be readily available.  McKenzie is the founder of Influencer Conference, an international event series bringing together tastemakers across the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology.  He is also managing partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC.  Previously he worked in Domestic Equity Trading at Goldman, Sachs, & Co.  He earned his BA from Howard University and MBA from Duke University. 

How to Prioritize Your Passions - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 9 of 21 in his 2011 interview, Phil McKenzie answers "How are Your Personal Priorities Changing as You Get Older?"  McKenzie notes how he has learned to prioritize his personal passions and bring them into his professional life.  This allows Phil to find enrichment traveling the world, learning from new people.  McKenzie is the founder of Influencer Conference, an international event series bringing together tastemakers across the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology.  He is also managing partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC.  Previously he worked in Domestic Equity Trading at Goldman, Sachs, & Co.  He earned his BA from Howard University and MBA from Duke University. 

Why to Be Trusting When Building Relationships - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 18 of 21 in his 2011 interview, Phil McKenzie answers "How Do You Establish Trust When Building Relationships?"  He notes trust is something you just have to give.  McKenzie notes that people's actions will prove out that trust over time, so he feels it unnecessary being suspicious entering situations.  McKenzie is the founder of Influencer Conference, an international event series bringing together tastemakers across the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology.  He is also managing partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC.  Previously he worked in Domestic Equity Trading at Goldman, Sachs, & Co.  He earned his BA from Howard University and MBA from Duke University. 

Finding Happiness in Challenge and Competition - Julie Hession

In Chapter 3 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Do You Define and Measure Success in What You Do?"  A self-described competitive person, Hession makes sure to stay busy and have a full, if not overwhelming, list of things to do.  She finds it energizes her and compels her to do her best work.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

What Marriage Teaches About Teamwork - Julie Hession

In Chapter 15 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "What Has Marriage Taught You About Teamwork?"  Hession shares how her personality complements that of her spouse in many ways.  She shares how they learn to complement and each other and appreciate each others strengths.  Hession notes the importance of having a supportive husband who believes in what she is doing. Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

What Marriage Teaches About Teamwork - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 4 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "What Has Marriage Taught You About Teamwork?"  Yoon shares how she learned to appreciate what teamwork in marriage is all about once she had children.  As children entered the equation, she learned to admire her husband for his presence and contribution to the family.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

Parenting Advice on Motivating High School Kids - Kyung B. Yoon

In Chapter 5 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "How Do You Measure Success in What You Do as a Parent?" Yoon contrasts her approach to what has become known as the "Tiger Mom" approach.  With her two sons, Yoon makes it a point to embrace their individuality and tailor supportive parenting approaches to motivate each of the boys.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

Transcription:

Erik Michielsen:  How do you measure success in what you do as a parent?

Kyung Yoon:  I know there was a lot of brouhaha around tiger moms and as being an Asian mom and actually having a son who just started college this year and having gone through that excruciating process, acceptance and so on.  And, he's, you know, he's in a very happy place.  He's doing great.  And then I have a younger son who is a high schooler.  And, I think, when I look at both of my boys and they are really very similar in some ways but also very, very different, that it's not about one size fits all.  And, I guess, it's not about something you can read in a book and you wish that there was somebody who could tell you all the answers.  But, I think, a strategy that would be very motivating to one child could be crushing to another child. 

And so, I think, what I've learned about how to be a successful parent, and I'm not saying that I'm there at all, but is that, when I see my child, I see that beyond everything else, he has a beautiful, sort of, little fire going on inside him.  And to me, I think that my job as a mother is to keep that fire lit and just to fan it.  And, if it means that he's so passionate about the bongo drums then I'm gonna fan that, you know, because he's really, like, he loves it and it gives him confidence and meaning and that's great. 

And so, I feel like it's not my job to say that's not important, that you should be doing this.  Of course, there are things that they have to do.  They have to, you know, stay, you know, on top of their school work and they have to do, there are things that we have to do, but it's not a hard and rigid rule in my book.

Why Mutual Respect Matters in a Marriage - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 6 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "Why is Mutual Respect Important in a Marriage?"  Yoon notes how she met her husband, an established lawyer, while she was going through a career change.  Changing careers into broadcast journalism, Yoon finds support in her partner through the process, from internships to on-air reporting, and learns a valuable lesson to respect and support a partner's career choices.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

How Stay at Home Mom Builds Parent Network - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 7 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "As a Parent, Where Has Your Network Been Most Helpful?"  As a young parent, Yoon chooses to leave a demanding job to spend more time at home.  Fearful of losing her identity, she finds common ground with other professional women transitioning into full-time parenting roles.  Through the relationships, the mothers learn to support one another, including helping each other re-enter the workforce.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

How Non-Profit Sets Priorities to Manage Future Growth - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 17 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "What Priorities are You Setting to Manage Future Organizational Growth?"  Yoon talks about the meaning of celebrating her organization's 10th Year Anniversary and how it relates to the evolution and expansion of its mission.  Over time, the organization uncovers unmet community needs and evolves its mission to provide not only physical health but also mental health services.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

Jullien Gordon on What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder

In Chapter 1 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, motivation teacher Jullien Gordon answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?"  Gordon, who shares his recent engagement to be married, notes how a progressive challenge is staying balanced as his relationship becomes a larger part of his life.  He notes how not forcing things and being present in the moment is allowing him to live more fluidly, productively, and stress free.  He notes the big moments have come through relationships, most often through being true to himself.  Gordon is the founder of the Department of Motivated Vehicles, a personal and professional development company that helps clients identify purpose and map it to successful outcomes. Gordon has written five books and speaks regularly to college students across America.  He earned masters degrees in education and business from Stanford University and an undergraduate degree from UCLA.

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen:  What’s getting easier and what’s getting harder in your life?

Jullien Gordon:  Wow!  So I just got engaged about two weeks ago, yeah so I’m excited about that.  So what’s getting more difficult is, how I actually shift my business model so that I’m not traveling as much as I currently do so definitely looking into the productization of the things that I’m doing and how to scale that via licensing, training the trainer etcetera.  So that’s definitely getting more difficult is holding that balance now that I’m committed to another person and of course in the future other little persons.  So really just thinking about that now before it gets out of balance and out of control. 

What’s getting easier is…what’s getting easier?  I don’t know if anything’s getting easier.  What’s getting easier is me not forcing things and me just being very present in the moment, being who I’m being and trusting that things will come.  I would say when I started out on this path a lot of things were forced, I was pushing, pushing, pushing and now as I’m moving through the world in a great alignment with my purpose I really feel an attraction based –yeah, I had like – when I look at all my deals and relationships and things like that, they’ve all come through just my relationships.  They haven’t been me doing SCO optimization or advertising on Google or great designs of flyers and banners.  It hasn’t been any of that that has led to the business that I’ve been able to generate and so I realize that as I’m more of who I am and making my – being clear about my unique contribution that opportunities are coming out of every different direction and so I come into the new year and like yeah I think my business is gonna go in this direction and then all of a sudden these two opportunities come and I’m in this direction and this direction still doing my purpose but in ways that I couldn’t even imagine on my own.