I remember the first time a journal editor rejected my article. I sat staring at the email, feeling like someone had just deflated my academic “balloon”. I had poured my heart and soul into that manuscript, and here it was, marked with a big red “no.” It felt like being in school all over again, where the teacher hands back your paper covered in corrections. 

During my time as a sessional academic working in higher education, I have experienced many more rejections. While many of these have been challenging and disappointing, I have reached a point where I accept them and try to learn from the experiences. As I explain in this blog, I believe that developing my psychological resources and utilizing coping strategies has enabled me to handle these rejections constructively. In the next sections, I discuss how my self-efficacy as well as resilience, courage, and spirituality have helped me on my journey. I also share the importance of maintaining my wellbeing during stressful times and learning from my supervisors to help me cope with rejections.

Self-efficacy: Trusting in my abilities

Self-efficacy, or the belief in one’s ability to succeed, became essential for me to move forward. After the initial disappointment of my paper’s rejection by the journal, I found myself questioning everything. Was my research not good enough? Was I not cut out for this? But then I remembered something my supervisors once told me: “It’s okay, try again. Not everyone will understand your work right away but persevere until you succeed.” That struck a chord. It’s easy to doubt yourself, especially when someone else is pointing out flaws in your work, but I realized that if I didn’t trust my own abilities, no one else would either. I went back to the reviewer comments and viewed them not as criticisms, but as constructive feedback that could strengthen my research. Rather than doubting myself, I focused on the areas I had control over: refining my arguments, improving clarity, and reinforcing the rationale behind my research work. I reminded myself that setbacks were part of the process and that trust in my abilities was crucial for progress.

One of my favourite reminders came from a senior academic I met in Australia. “Every rejection is just a detour,” she said. “It doesn’t mean you’re lost; it just means you need to find another path.” This perspective reinforced my belief in self-efficacy, the confidence in my ability to navigate challenges and find solutions, especially by drawing on the research skills I have developed over time. Rather than dwelling on the rejection, I chose to focus on the positive feedback the reviewer had highlighted. I recognized that while there were areas for improvement, my manuscript already demonstrated strengths in key aspects of my research. Confident in these strengths, I worked on refining the manuscript and addressing the feedback constructively. This belief in my abilities helped me view rejection not as a setback, but as an opportunity for growth. 

In another instance, when I encountered a particularly challenging stage of data analysis, I drew on my self-belief and confidence in my analytical abilities. While the complexity of the data initially felt overwhelming, I reminded myself that I had successfully navigated similar challenges in the past. By breaking down the problem into manageable steps and trusting in my capacity to find a solution, I was able to work through the intricacies of the analysis. This belief in my ability to overcome obstacles allowed me to uncover meaningful insights and keep the project on track, reinforcing my confidence in tackling future challenges.

Resilience: The art of bouncing back

Another psychological resource that greatly assisted me during challenges in my academic work was resilience. After receiving a particularly harsh rejection, I remember taking a long walk to clear my head. It was one of those days when everything felt heavy. But as I walked, I thought about all the other challenges I had overcome—getting into a PhD program, passing tough exams, and dealing with personal and family commitments during the pandemic. If I could get through all that, I could certainly handle a few rejections. Once, after my third rejection in a month, I took a break from the paper for a few weeks based on my supervisors’ recommendation. I dove into other but related research work, which reignited my intrinsic motivation and energy. The following month, I returned to my manuscript with fresh eyes and a lighter heart. This approach reminded me that resilience isn’t just about enduring—it’s also about knowing when to step back and recharge. A colleague of mine faced a similar situation. After several rejections, he took a sabbatical to travel and gather new experiences, which ultimately enriched his research and led to a successful publication.

Courage: Facing rejection head-on

Courage, as in my opinion, isn’t just about taking risks; it’s about facing fear and uncertainty head-on. Submitting an article to a journal is like putting a piece of yourself out there for the world to judge. And when that judgment is a rejection, it takes courage to pick yourself up and try again. I had one article that I was particularly attached to, and after multiple rejections, I was tempted to put it in the “dead” folder on my computer —a place where I stored manuscripts, I thought I would never revisit. But then, I thought, “Why not give it one more shot?”

So I revised it again, addressing the feedback I had received, and submitted it to the most prestigious conference in my area. And guess what? It was accepted. That acceptance felt sweeter than any of the previous rejections stung. It was a reminder that sometimes, the difference between success and failure is just one more try. Courage, I realized, wasn’t about never feeling scared or discouraged—it was about pushing through those feelings and persisting anyway. For instance, after several rejections, I was ready to give up on the article. But courage meant not letting fear and self-doubt dictate my next steps. Instead of walking away, I chose to face the discomfort of failure head-on. I took a moment to reflect, acknowledging the fear I felt but not letting it stop me. Revising the paper and resubmitting it was not easy, but it took courage to put myself out there again, knowing there was a risk of rejection once more. Courage was not about feeling confident or free from fear—it was about taking action despite those fears, trusting that the effort was worth it, regardless of the outcome.

Spirituality: Finding calm in the storm

Spirituality, for me, is about finding meaning, purpose, and a connection to something greater than myself. It has always been a part of my life, but it became even more important as I navigated the ups and downs of academic life. There were times when the stress felt overwhelming, and I needed something to ground me, and something to remind me that there’s more to life than journal acceptances and rejections. For me, spirituality was that anchor. After a particularly rough week of rejections, I took time to meditate, pray, and reconnect with my inner self. It wasn’t about asking for success but about finding peace with whatever outcome came my way. I remember sitting quietly, breathing deeply, and letting go of frustration and anxiety. This practice helped me refocus and remember why I started this journey—not for accolades, but for the love of learning and contributing to knowledge. In moments like these, I also find solace in nature. Regular walks in the woods allow me to disconnect from the pressures of academia and reconnect with a deeper sense of purpose. These quiet moments not only refresh my mind but also offer me a new perspective on my work, reminding me of the broader impact my research could have. 

Maintaining wellbeing 

Keeping calm and maintaining my wellbeing during my doctoral journey was no easy feat, but it was necessary. The constant cycle of submissions and rejections could easily take a toll on my mental health. Research indicates that such experiences can lead to negative emotions like frustration and anxiety among academics and impact their well-being. I made it a point to balance my work with activities that brought me joy—whether it was cooking a new recipe, chatting with friends, or simply taking a break to enjoy the outdoors, like traveling to new places and exploring the countryside. One of my favourite rituals became a countryside solo trip every month, where I could clear my mind and just be. Humour also played a crucial role in maintaining perspective. I once joked with a fellow PhD student that if we collected all our rejection emails, we could publish a book titled “How Not to Get Published”. It was a silly thought, but it made us laugh, and sometimes, that’s all you need to keep going. The ability to find humour in the midst of challenges helped me stay light-hearted and resilient. 

Listening to your supervisors 

One of the most valuable lessons I learned was to trust and listen to my PhD supervisors. They had already travelled the path and understand what works and what doesn’t. Their advice, grounded in experience, can be invaluable. When I was struggling with a manuscript, both of my supervisors advised me to try again, incorporate feedback, and dive deeper into the existing research in the area. Initially, the advice seemed overwhelming, but following their guidance helped me keep moving forward. 

 One of the most impactful lessons I learned came from a conversation with my supervisor after I had faced a rejection. Seeing how discouraged I was, they shared how one of their now-published papers had gone through multiple rejections before finally being published. What stayed with me was not just the story itself, but the calm and confidence with which they spoke about it—as if rejection was simply part of the process, not a reason to question oneself. That moment helped shift my own perspective. It made me realize that even accomplished researchers face setbacks, and what matters most is how we respond and continue to refine our work.

Conclusion 

As I continue my academic journey, I’ve come to realize that rejections, for me, are not roadblocks but stepping stones. At the same time, I acknowledge that rejections can hurt, and it is completely normal if they do not always offer learning or lead to identification of an opportunity. Like many others, I too struggle at times, even as I try to view rejections as opportunities to grow, improve, and build the psychological resources that can support me through future challenges. Yet over time, I have come to see how even difficult moments contribute to my development. While the road may be bumpy, these very bumps are shaping me into a stronger, more confident researcher. So, here’s to the rejections, the revisions, and the journey ahead—because every step, no matter how difficult, is bringing me closer to where I want to be. 

A friend of mine who now works with an esteemed business school in India once told me, “Remember, a PhD is a research training journey; it’s not your best work which has yet to come.” Publications are important, but they are just one outcome of a broader training process that introduces you to the research world. It’s the beginning of a path filled with learning and skill-building, with much more to explore beyond. As Robert Frost said, “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.” This reminds me that while the journey is beautiful and profound, there is still much more to achieve and experience.

Vineet is a teaching assistant and joint Ph.D. candidate at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, India and La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. His research focuses on application of positive psychology in organizations. Before enrolling in Ph.D., Vineet led complex projects in information technology, organizational development and human resource management consulting for several years in India and China. He is interested in exploring various phenomena related to behaviour and well-being among under-researched groups, such as Gen-Z and LGBTQ+ employees in organizations, as well as students in higher educational institutions.

This blog is kindly sponsored by G-Research