Turning “No” Into Strategic Redirection: Lessons from My 2025-26 Masterclass
This year, I launched my masterclass with excitement, preparation, and high hopes. I envisioned full enrollment, engaged participants, and transformational outcomes. But when the numbers came in… it was quieter than I expected. Far quieter.
This isn’t the first time rejection has tested me. A past rejection that comes to mind is when I applied to graduate school for counseling psychology.
Full transparency: my first thought was to throw it all away. The presentations, the course book, the online platform—everything. I felt like I had wasted time and energy on something no one wanted.
But then I had to get real with myself. I had to adjust my vantage point in all this and put on my “big CEO pants.” I asked myself: Where in the launch process did I miss? What could I improve?
Rejection as a Signal, Not a Setback
At first, I felt disappointment—maybe even a hint of self-doubt. But then I reminded myself: rejection isn’t the end. It’s a signal. A redirection.
This isn’t the first time rejection has tested me. A past rejection that comes to mind is when I applied to graduate school for counseling psychology. I was adamant about getting my degree and license to open my own counseling practice. However, every school I applied to denied me. I ended up unemployed and back in my childhood room. That was one of the hardest setbacks I’ve faced.
But looking back, it was also one of the most pivotal moments of my career. That rejection led me to a staffing agency, where I discovered my passion for staffing operations and people management. I gained exposure to a women-owned firm and ultimately found alignment on my path to becoming a progressive HR practitioner.
And as it turns out, I still achieved my dream of running a private practice—one could say I now counsel individuals and organizations through their moments of professional challenge.
Reflecting on this lesson, I realized the masterclass setback felt strikingly familiar. I had the same feeling of not being picked or chosen for something I prepared for and felt passionate about. But like then, this is another opportunity the universe is giving me: to pause, take a beat, assess, and ask myself the difficult questions—so that a bigger, more aligned opportunity can emerge. Just because it didn’t happen now doesn’t mean it won’t happen—it just might happen in a way that’s even more aligned with my vision and capacity.
Asking the Hard Questions
I paused and assessed the situation:
Am I doing the right things to reach my audience?
Is my infrastructure set up to support the impact I want to make?
Do I have the capacity to execute at this level?
When I talk about capacity, I mean more than just time. It’s a combination of time, strengths, mindset, and resources. Since getting the news about enrollment, my calendar started filling up with various other opportunities—a signal that I am meant to focus on other work in this season.
My strength to pivot was exercised in this moment. Running a business involves uncertainty, and I had to ask myself: am I strong enough to withstand it and bend to the unexpected? This moment allowed me to strengthen that muscle.
I also had to come to terms with being one person. I can’t be everywhere all the time, and running a masterclass over six months would be all-consuming. It would pull me away from community projects and from current and new clients who need solutions now. These are difficult times, and it’s important that I am available. By stepping back, I created space for my company to truly meet the moment.
Finally, I had to acknowledge that I can be very hard on myself with rejections. This reminded me to lean on my self-care tools to stay balanced and motivated during times of hardship. In the end, I realized I gained more than I lost by not hosting the masterclass this season—more than I even thought I needed.
Rejection is just redirection, and I am flexible enough to dance into it.
Redirecting Energy with Purpose
Once I gained clarity, I pivoted my focus:
Tackling pressing projects like RFP responses and business plan refinement
Planning 2026 community initiatives, including retreats and the SOULpowerment Summit
Reflecting on ways to strengthen my systems and prepare for future success
This redirection felt grounding and empowering. I feel more aligned with my assignment, confident that I am doing exactly what is needed of me in this season. I also feel less overwhelmed. Focusing on a few initiatives rather than spreading myself thin allows me to be more present in my work, sustaining my energy and avoiding burnout.
Lessons Learned
From this experience, I’ve reinforced a truth I’ve lived by for years: every “no” carries a hidden opportunity. It’s not about failure—it’s about taking a pause, pivoting, and positioning yourself for even greater impact.
My personal mantra is: “Rejection is just redirection, and I am flexible enough to dance into it.” With my dancing background, I’ve learned that when the beat changes, you have to be ready to move differently—fluidly, intentionally, and with presence. I leverage this mindset in my professional life: welcoming new opportunities, adjusting to unexpected shifts, and staying focused on my overarching mission to create impact for my community and clients.
Rejection isn’t a stop sign; it’s an invitation to pivot, align, and continue moving toward the work that truly matters.
Supporting Others Through Redirection
If you’re facing setbacks or “nos” in your career or personal goals, you don’t have to navigate them alone. In my coaching programs, I help women assess, pivot, and redirect energy strategically—so every obstacle becomes an opportunity for growth.
Rejection is never the end—it’s the sign pointing you toward your next success.
Turning Redirection Into Action: Join Me in These Upcoming Community Experiences
After taking a pause, assessing, and redirecting my energy, I’m more aligned than ever with the work that matters. Here’s how I’ll bring that focus and momentum to our community this season:
