Ryan Serhant’s Advice: Embrace Rejection and Use It as Fuel for Growth

Ryan Serhant, a titan in the real estate world, is no stranger to rejection. Throughout his career, from his early days as an actor to becoming one of the most successful real estate brokers, Serhant has faced countless rejections. However, instead of being discouraged, he used every setback as motivation to improve and push forward. His key advice to real estate professionals, and entrepreneurs in general, is to embrace rejection, learn from it, and use it as fuel for growth and success.

1. Rejection is a Natural Part of Success

Serhant believes that rejection is an inevitable part of any career, especially in a competitive field like real estate. Instead of viewing rejection as a failure, he advises professionals to see it as an opportunity for growth. According to Serhant, every rejection brings you one step closer to success, as it offers a chance to refine your approach and build resilience.

“Rejection is just part of the journey,” says Serhant. “You’re going to hear ‘no’ far more often than ‘yes,’ but it’s how you respond to those ‘no’s’ that defines your success. Don’t let rejection discourage you—let it motivate you to try harder, get better, and keep going.”

For Serhant, the real estate industry is a numbers game. Not every deal will go through, and not every client will work with you, but persistence is key. He encourages professionals to maintain a positive mindset, understanding that rejection is not personal but simply part of the process.

2. Learn from Every Rejection

One of the most important lessons Serhant shares is the value of learning from every rejection. Rather than simply accepting a ‘no’ and moving on, he advises professionals to analyze what went wrong, what could have been done differently, and how they can improve for the next opportunity.

“Every rejection is a learning opportunity,” Serhant explains. “Instead of dwelling on why you didn’t get the listing or close the deal, ask yourself what you can learn from the experience. Maybe you didn’t listen enough to the client, maybe your pitch wasn’t strong enough, or maybe you need to improve your negotiation skills. Use that feedback to get better.”

Serhant advises professionals to reflect on their failures, gather constructive feedback, and apply those lessons to future deals. In his own career, he has constantly sought to improve by turning every rejection into a chance to refine his skills and strategies.

3. Rejection Builds Resilience and Grit

For Ryan Serhant, one of the greatest gifts of rejection is that it builds resilience and mental toughness. In real estate and entrepreneurship, rejection is inevitable, but those who can bounce back and keep pushing forward will ultimately achieve greater success. Serhant believes that resilience is a key trait that separates high achievers from those who give up too early.

“Rejection builds grit,” says Serhant. “The more you face rejection and keep going, the tougher you become. It’s like a muscle—you have to work it out to make it stronger. Every ‘no’ you hear makes the ‘yes’ that much sweeter when it finally comes.”

Serhant encourages professionals to view rejection as part of the process of toughening up. He believes that by consistently pushing through difficult times, professionals build the resilience needed to thrive in an industry where setbacks are common.

4. Stay Persistent and Focus on the Bigger Picture

Another key piece of advice Serhant offers is the importance of persistence. Rejection can be disheartening, but Serhant believes that the most successful people in real estate are those who stay focused on their long-term goals and keep going despite temporary setbacks. He advises professionals to remember the bigger picture and not let individual rejections derail their overall mission.

“Success doesn’t happen overnight,” the real estate expert explains. “You have to keep showing up, no matter how many times you get knocked down. Every ‘no’ is just one step closer to a ‘yes.’ Stay persistent, stay focused on your goals, and don’t lose sight of why you started.”

Serhant recommends setting long-term career goals and keeping those in mind when facing rejection. By focusing on the ultimate vision, professionals can maintain the motivation to keep working hard and improving, even when things don’t go as planned.

5. Use Rejection as Motivation to Prove People Wrong

One of Serhant’s most powerful motivators throughout his career has been using rejection as fuel to prove people wrong. He advises professionals to turn every ‘no’ into a challenge to push harder and succeed. For Serhant, rejection can be a powerful driver if it’s used to ignite the fire within to achieve even greater things.

“I love when people tell me I can’t do something,” Serhant says. “It just makes me want to work harder and prove them wrong. Every time someone tells you ‘no,’ see it as an opportunity to show them what you’re really capable of.”

Serhant encourages professionals to use rejection as a source of energy to outwork the competition, refine their skills, and ultimately prove that they have what it takes to succeed in the long run.

In Conclusion: Embrace Rejection as a Stepping Stone to Success

Ryan Serhant’s advice on embracing rejection is a powerful reminder that failure is not the opposite of success but a key part of it. For Serhant, every rejection is a stepping stone on the path to greatness. By learning from setbacks, building resilience, and staying persistent, professionals can turn rejection into their greatest asset and use it to fuel their growth and success.

As Ryan Serhant puts it, “Rejection is just another word for ‘not yet.’ Keep going, keep learning, and eventually, the doors will open. Use every ‘no’ as motivation to prove what you’re really capable of, and success will follow.”