We’ve all been there.
👻 Ghosted by contact.
😔 Ignored by a recruiter.
😟 Passed over for a project.
Years ago, getting blown off wasn’t always so obvious.
But today, we leave digital footprints everywhere:
📱 Texts have read receipts.
📫 Phones log every missed call.
✅ Applicant systems generate automatic confirmations.
👍 Likes, comments, and shares show up in real time.
Without a response, ignored bids for connection can feel like rejection.
😟 At best it feels like a snub.
💔 At worst, a personal insult. (Cue one of my favorite memes: “Ew, David!”)
To be fair, communication volume today is absurd. We’re all drinking from the firehose—messages, emails, DMs, notifications. Hundreds of folks submitting resumes for a single role.
It’s difficult to filter out the authentic connections, the perfect candidate, or the genuine collaborator or from a sales pitch.
And an immediate response to a blind email in the midst of a jam-packed day? Tough for the best of us.
So, here’s where the resilience comes in…
Keep shooting your shot.
Don’t pester.
Don’t annoy.
But don’t give up on creating connections…
⚡If you’re the right fit for the role, find a creative way to set your application apart.
🌟 If you’d crush a project, offer a sample, a bespoke idea, or creative pricing to demonstrate your passion and show what you uniquely bring to the table.
😍 And if you’re trying to make a connection with someone new that you respect or admire?
Try again when you have something so meaningful to share that your message becomes impossible to ignore — even if the response is just a quick, “Thanks,” or, “You’re too kind.”
💡 Why this is important: Because resilience isn’t just about persistence. It’s also about a having a growth mindset and timing.
In “Grit,” author Angela Duckworth reminds us that along with grittiness “…A lot of factors determine success. Emotional intelligence. Physical talent. Intelligence. Conscientiousness. Self-control. Imagination. The list goes on…”
🏀 So shoot your shot. And if it falls short?
Don’t jump right to assumptions.
Shoot again when the time is right.
Your aim gets better with practice.
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I’m learning about resilience and burnout in real time–connecting dots across leadership, change management, coaching, behavior science and team dynamics. Whether you’re working on your own resilience, or you’re being asked to help your teams, your organizations or your loved ones get better and faster at bouncing back, adapting, and growing, join me as I continue to unpack these topics, and explore healthier ways we can work and lead together.
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Disclaimer: I am not a licensed therapist…just a voracious reader, leader, certified coach, and communications pro who is intensely curious about resilience and burnout and how it’s playing out in our workplaces and lives today. If you’re struggling with your mental health, please seek out a qualified professional.❤️
