EP. 324: Rejection-Proof: How ADHD Brains Can Turn ‘No’ Into ‘Next’
Mar 19, 2025
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Join Alice Draper, founder of Hustling Writers and host of My Rejection Story, as she unpacks her journey with ADHD and rejection. Diagnosed in adulthood, Alice shares how she transformed her fear of rejection into a strategic advantage by aiming for 100 rejections in a year. She discusses the emotional weight of rejection, especially for those with ADHD, and how storytelling can be a superpower. Plus, learn how to rewire your mindset and embrace failure as a stepping stone to success for women entrepreneurs.
Reframing rejection as a stepping stone towards success enables individuals with ADHD to embrace risk-taking and resilience.
Building supportive communities significantly enhances the confidence and authenticity of individuals with ADHD, reducing feelings of isolation.
Utilizing storytelling in professional communication captivates attention and fosters emotional connections, making pitches more relatable and impactful.
Deep dives
Celebrating ADHD Strengths
The podcast emphasizes the necessity of celebrating the strengths and successes of individuals with ADHD, particularly women. It highlights how many notable figures, including Greta Gerwig and Michael Phelps, share this neurodivergence, yet often the narrative focuses on challenges rather than triumphs. This episode encourages a cultural shift towards recognizing the 43% of people with ADHD who excel in mental health and utilize their traits as assets. By reframing ADHD as a superpower, the discussion aims to empower listeners to embrace their uniqueness and achievements.
Building a Supportive Community
The importance of community support for those with ADHD is explored through the shared experiences of Alice Draper, a guest on the show. She discusses her own ADHD diagnosis and how her journey was significantly impacted by a friend who understood her struggles. This friendship allowed her to feel seen and validated, cultivating an environment where she could thrive authentically. The podcast underscores that similar communal connections can help alleviate feelings of isolation and acceptance among individuals with ADHD.
Embracing Rejection
Alice introduces the concept of 'champagne rejections,' which refers to rejections that offer constructive feedback and the potential for future opportunities. By participating in a challenge that encouraged aiming for a set number of rejections, she learned to view rejection as a valuable part of the creative process rather than a setback. This perspective nurtures resilience and allows for a growth mindset, ultimately leading to increased confidence and improved outcomes in her pitching efforts. The podcast suggests that reframing rejection can empower individuals to take more significant risks in their professional lives.
The Power of Storytelling
In discussing the effectiveness of storytelling in communication, Alice emphasizes how narratives resonate more profoundly than mere facts. This approach is particularly effective for ADHD minds, as stories create emotional connections that facilitate memory retention and engagement. The podcast points out that storytelling should be utilized in professional pitches to convey conflicts and resolutions, making pitches more relatable and compelling. This method not only captivates attention but also differentiates individuals in crowded competition, ultimately enhancing their chances of success.
Practical Strategies for Managing ADHD
The conversation explores practical strategies to navigate the challenges associated with ADHD, particularly the importance of setting self-imposed deadlines. Alice discusses how accountability to others can motivate her more than commitments made to herself. Additionally, she advises creating an engaging environment and incorporating enjoyable activities to manage less appealing tasks. By leveraging these techniques, individuals can harness their unique brain wiring to enhance productivity while minimizing feelings of overwhelm or guilt associated with ADHD.
Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup
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Rejection stings, but what if you could flip it into your greatest advantage?
Alice Draper, founder of Hustling Writers and host of My Rejection Story, knows that rejection isn’t just part of the game—it is the game. Diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, Alice struggled for years with imposter syndrome, social rejection, and the fear of putting herself out there. But everything changed when she set a radical goal: to get rejected 100 times in a year. What happened next? More success than she ever imagined.
In this conversation, Alice shares how growing up undiagnosed shaped her confidence, why ADHD brains are wired to fear rejection, and how she rewired her mindset to see “no” as a step toward “yes.” She dives into the science of rejection, how our ancestors depended on acceptance for survival, and why ADHD brains feel it even more intensely. Tracy and Alice also talk about harnessing rejection as a tool for success, why storytelling is a superpower, and how to shift from perfectionism to action.
Now a publicity strategist and media expert, Alice helps under-recognized women entrepreneurs land press and podcast guest spots—proving that rejection isn’t the end of the story, but the beginning of something bigger. If you’ve ever hesitated to put yourself out there for fear of failure, this episode will challenge you to rethink rejection—and maybe even celebrate it.
