When a Lost Gig Taught Me More Than a Win Ever Could

I remember how badly I wanted that gig. I put so much effort into my application, tweaking every word and making sure it sounded professional. I even followed up with the client politely, showing how eager and reliable I was. When they told me, Don’t worry, it’s yours, I let out the biggest sigh of relief. I thought, finally something was working in my favor.

But a few days later, my joy turned sour. I didn’t hear back again. Messages went unanswered. Then someone I knew mentioned casually that they’d been given the same gig. My heart sank. I was too stunned to even be angry at first. It felt like being lied to while smiling at you.

I was embarrassed too. I’d told people close to me I’d landed that job. I was already making plans with the expected pay. But there I was, staring at my phone in disbelief, realizing they’d picked someone else behind my back. That moment stung deeply.

For a while, I was furious. I felt stupid for believing empty promises. I blamed myself, thinking I must not have been good enough. I even questioned whether freelancing was for me. The worst part was realizing how quickly people can say anything to keep you on standby while they make other plans.

But after the anger came something more useful: clarity. I realized the problem wasn’t just them being dishonest it was me relying on verbal promises without preparing for other options. I had no backup gigs lined up. I hadn’t kept my portfolio fresh. I’d stopped pitching elsewhere because I thought this one job would sort me out.

So I decided I wouldn’t let myself be that vulnerable again.

I started treating every potential job more professionally. If someone said “It’s yours,” I thanked them but kept pitching to others until I got the actual contract or payment. I updated my samples, polished my proposals, and even created a simple schedule to send out regular applications.

That disappointment taught me to prepare better. It wasn’t that I stopped trusting people entirely I just stopped putting all my hope in one basket.

Ironically, just a month after that letdown, I got another gig. It was smaller, but the client was honest and paid quickly. That boosted my confidence. Then another, better-paying job followed. If I’d given up after that first disappointment, I wouldn’t have seen those opportunities.

I also learned to see things from the other side. Maybe that first client chose someone else for their own reasons budget, availability, style fit. It still wasn’t professional how they handled it, but it didn’t mean I was worthless.

That gig falling through was painful, but in hindsight it was exactly the wake-up call I needed. It forced me to grow up a bit in how I handle work. I learned that hard work is important, but so is being prepared, adaptable, and not too trusting of vague promises.

Now when I hear, We’ll get back to you, I keep moving forward. I keep applying, keep creating. No more waiting around anxiously.

It’s not the lesson I wanted but it’s one I’m grateful for. I share this in case anyone else is feeling crushed over losing an opportunity. Sometimes it’s the losses that sharpen us most. Because of that setback, I’m a better freelancer today, and much harder to throw off course.

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_{Check out my previous HiveGhana posts.}

https://ecency.com/hive-176874/@suqueen/my-half-year-reset-saying

https://ecency.com/hive-176874/@suqueen/when-hard-work-wasn-t

https://ecency.com/hive-176874/@suqueen/when-joy-came-in-the

https://ecency.com/hive-176874/@suqueen/showing-up-when-it-mattered-most-jwy