Chasing your dream requires you put everything out there and deal with the consequences. When aspiring entrepreneur Jia Jiang left corporate life to build his dream company, he had no idea it also meant facing crushing rejection.

The best way to recover? 100 Days of Rejection Therapy. Halfway through now, its been an astonishing journey, and proof positive that we have no idea what is waiting on the other side of an audacious request.

Extend the conversation and expand on ideas with Jia Jiang: join their Opal Brainstorm at tedxaustin.ouropal.com/brainstorms/312?direct_signup=true

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)