As far back as I can remember, my dad has had a saying: “Sometimes it takes a hundred no’s to get to one yes. And that one yes is all you need.”
At first, it sounded crazy. But over time, it stuck. It’s become one of the ways I prepare myself for the rejection that comes with job hunting. Treating it like a conquerable task list helps me manage the heaviness and emotional toll. And if there’s one thing I love, it’s writing out a list and crossing things off (yes, I sometimes add things I’ve already finished just to get the satisfaction of checking the box).
So once the initial shock of being laid off wore off and I finalized my knowledge transfer, I grabbed a notebook and started drafting my list of No’s. At 50, I wrote “halfway there.” At 90, I added “home stretch.” And at the bottom, I left space for “hopefully I’m hired by now.”
The reality, though, is that this market is tough. It may take more than 100, or less. The number isn’t the point, it’s the persistence. Each rejection crossed off gives me a sense of progress, proof that I’m one step closer to the Yes that matters. The list also gives me space to reflect, adapt, and keep improving as I apply. I’ve even added sections for people I’ve reached out to — friends, recruiters, even strangers — and for courses and certifications I’ve restarted to upskill. (More on those later.)
Persistence and Possibility
Growing up, my mom had her own philosophy: “You can be whatever you want to be.” Emphasis on whatever.
She didn’t mean it in a vague Pinterest-quote kind of way. She said it with conviction. She believed in putting in the work, keeping your head up, and trusting your own capability even when no one else sees it yet. If you could dream it, you could achieve it.
As a kid, I thought she was bluffing. I’d look around and think, Mom, not everything is possible. But she never wavered. Even now, she holds that conviction, and I try to reflect it back to her. Looking back, I credit her with unlocking my ability to dream big — to move to New York from the Midwest, to build a nontraditional career that blended design and marketing, and more recently, to build a strong family foundation here in the city I never thought I’d raise one in.
Those two lessons — persistence and possibility — have been the twin engines driving my life and career.
Starting Over (Again)
When my last role ended, I found myself back in a place I hadn’t been in years: job hunting.
The inbox refresh. The carefully tailored cover letters. The waiting. The ghosting. The “thanks but no thanks” auto-reply from “do not reply” emails. Countless hours scrolling job boards, asking Am I qualified enough? while trying not to spiral through LinkedIn’s algorithm.
It’s humbling. And disorienting.
But here’s the thing: I’ve been here before. Not this exact moment, but other times when the path wasn’t clear.
- The restaurant job I took when a freelance gig fell through.
- The internship I grabbed because it was the only open door, which led to new clients and eventually my first full-time design role.
- The day COVID shut down the world, shifting my role and company’s trajectory overnight.
At the time, those moments felt small or like setbacks. Now, I see them as proof: a hundred no’s can absolutely lead to the one yes that changes everything.
Why Saying Yes Matters Too
I talk a lot about powering through no’s, but saying yes is just as powerful.
Not yes out of desperation. Not yes to people-pleasing. But yes to possibility — even when it doesn’t look perfect on paper.
- That restaurant job taught me service, multitasking, and staying calm under pressure.
- That internship taught me web design, CSS, and the value of a great mentor.
- The world shutting down taught me boundaries, self-preservation, and honoring my capacity.
Momentum comes from motion. Every yes has taught me something. Together, they built the foundation for both my career and my life, leading me to the most exciting, enriching, challenging, and rewarding moments I’ve ever had.
Moving Forward
Right now, I’m in the middle of the “100 No’s” again. Sending numerous applications. Having discovery conversations. Exploring exciting new opportunities.
I don’t know yet what the next Yes will look like, but I know it’s coming.
If you’re in your own “100 No’s” season, I hope you remember what my dad said: You don’t need every yes. You just need one.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll also have someone like my mom in your corner reminding you: whatever it is, you can do it.
So break out that notebook, start your list, and keep going. Maybe you’ll land your next role before you even hit 100. I’m rooting for you.
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