Go Where the Yes Is: Why Integrity, Rejection & Redirection Matter
We’ve all heard the phrase “rejection is redirection,” but I’ve found it to be more than a catchphrase—it’s a truth that has shaped my entire creative path.
As creatives, we often chase what we believe should work. We pour ourselves into projects, relationships, jobs, labels, partnerships, hoping that our passion and persistence will be enough. And when they don’t pan out, it’s easy to feel like we’ve failed. Like we weren’t good enough.
As a singer, musician, songwriter, creative you are going to be told no.
We don't want you in this role.
No, you didn't get this job.
No, you don’t have a single.
No, you're not getting signed.
No, I'm not taking you on as a manager.
You'll going to be told no so many times.
And it's not all bad news.
What if we’re not being rejected? What if we’re being rerouted?
No can mean dodging a bullet. The world just took you out of harm's way. You just don't know it.
We’ve all been taught that if we just try hard enough, push long enough, twist ourselves just right—we’ll eventually be chosen.
But that’s not always true.
Sometimes the door stays closed simply because it’s not our door.
The Power of Redirection
As a creative, I’ve faced this again and again.
Jobs I didn’t get. Collaborations that fell through. Big “no’s” that felt like rejection at the time.
But over the years, I’ve learned:
Those “no’s” weren’t failures. They were redirects.
Life gently (or sometimes loudly) saying: “Not this. Look over there—there’s a YES waiting.”
That shift changed the trajectory of my entire creative and personal journey.
I followed curiosity—left New York when it made no sense, went to India, then Nashville, LA, and now… Paris.
I found unexpected collaborations, soul-expanding projects, a GRAMMY-winning soundtrack, a family, and a whole new way of helping artists find their voice and vision.
The Price of Success Without Integrity
But here’s the thing—saying yes to the wrong thing can lead us off course just as quickly.
Years ago, an artist I work with said yes to a project in a genre they didn’t resonate with. It looked great on paper—exposure, success, and an impressive platform. And yes, it took off…
But that success came at a cost.
They were constantly trying to keep up with something that didn’t inspire them. Burnout, frustration, and the desire to quit followed. Eventually, they paused, realigned, and began creating from their inner truth.
That’s when the real magic—and sustainable success—arrived.
What many realize soon is that success without integrity is a hollow success. Sure, the numbers looked great. Yes, there were accolades and recognition. But the burn out is real + they were unhappy.
Success isn’t just about reaching a destination, it’s about how you get there. AND - what is SUCCESS?! It’s not $$, it’s your life, your experiences, your community. If the journey isn’t aligned with your values and passions, then it’s not worth it. Saying yes to something that doesn’t feel right might give you quick wins, but it doesn’t bring long-term fulfillment.
Lesson?
Don’t say yes to something you wouldn’t want to repeat. If it’s not aligned with your values, vision, or voice—it’s okay to walk away.
Because when we ignore that inner no, we risk building a future that doesn’t feel like our own.
Rejection Isn’t Always Rejection
As artists, creatives, and humans—we’re going to hear “no.”
No, you didn’t get the role.
No, we’re passing on your song.
No, I’m not signing you.
No, I can’t manage you.
It hurts. But what if it’s not the end of the road? What if it’s the beginning of something more aligned? Sometimes that “no” is a blessing in disguise—a moment of protection, redirection, or clarity.
Go Where the Yes Is
✨ Going where the yes is means following what flows—not forcing what doesn’t.
It’s not about giving up. It’s about tuning in.
When you feel stuck or exhausted by effort that’s not moving the needle, ask yourself:
What am I trying to force?
What would it feel like to pause?
Where are things flowing effortlessly?
Follow that.
Say yes to what lights you up—even if it looks unconventional.
Say no to what drains you—even if it looks shiny.
That’s how you build a path that’s not just successful—but fulfilling, sustainable, and honest.
Final Thoughts: Your Integrity is Your Guide
In the end, the choices you make shape your future. And you have the power to shape that future in a way that honors your integrity. If you find yourself saying yes to something that doesn’t feel right, take a moment to reevaluate. You don’t have to follow the path just because it’s there. Trust yourself, say no when necessary, and make room for the opportunities that will bring you true fulfillment.
Sometimes the “no” is the very thing that clears space for what’s truly aligned. The no that ends a toxic partnership, the no that closes a door you were never meant to walk through, the no that invites you to listen deeper to your own voice.
Going where the yes is doesn’t mean life gets easy—it means it gets honest. It means you start saying no to what drains you so you can say yes to what fuels you. It means you follow curiosity, not expectation. You let go of the plan and trust the pull.
If you’re pushing for something that just won’t budge, I invite you to pause. What are you trying to force? Where are things flowing? What feels light? Trust those answers.
And when you get a no—whether it’s from a person, a project, a moment—ask yourself: What is this making space for?
That question has guided every chapter of my growth. And I hope it supports yours, too.
Your integrity is your compass.
Every decision you make shapes your creative future—so let those decisions be rooted in your truth.
You don’t have to follow a path just because it’s open.
You don’t have to say yes just because it might lead to success.
You get to choose alignment.
You get to say no.
You get to go where the love is.
🎥 Want more?
Watch the video version on YouTube:
Let’s Connect
Have you ever said yes to something that wasn’t aligned with you?
What did you learn from it?
Or—did you say yes to something unexpected that changed everything?
Share your story in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you.
Best,
Wendy