Win or Learn: The Naked Truth About Turning Every Rejection into Your Ultimate Success

Advice columnist Cohen (The Naked Roommate) lays out strategies for turning negative outcomes into positive ones in this refreshing guide. In five steps—explore what one wants, get comfortable with the uncomfortable, set a direction and have patience, “tell your story as if it has already happened,” and reflect—Cohen helps readers articulate goals and develop ways to overcome road bumps. Cohen explains that the “universal rejection truth” means that no matter how one intends an action, “not everyone and everything will always respond to you the way you want.” He explains common reasons people experience rejection (such as “raw rejection,” due to an innate quality or character trait, and “rejection by circumstance,” due to factors independent of one’s makeup), provides checklists and prompts for readers to uncover ambitions, recommends finding “people and places” who will champion one’s goals, and using mentors and aspirational scripts (including mad-lib style exercises) to work toward those goals. Throughout, he shares examples of his rules in action, such as an underprivileged woman who found it difficult to afford college, but found “being poor can be great” after she met others who empathized and could help. Any self-help reader feeling stuck will find useful tips here. (Jan.)