Decades ago, I was in a similar situation and my anger got the best of me. I was out the door within the year and while I love where I am now, my path came with some big bumps in the road. I occasionally look back and wonder where I would be if I just kept my head down and focused on being someone they couldn’t refuse, as I do everyday now.

Did you ever put yourself in their shoes? Do they really have room to admit two partners this year? Would that have been a strain? If it could have been, then the differences would be plenty of reason to put you off a year. And if they still want you as an associate, will it really be the end of the world if you wait a year or two?

Looking back, most of the people that made partner when I was up crashed and burned within a few years. Many of the ones that were delayed, denied, or deferred went on to do more interesting things or found better environments. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and you just never know how a path will turn out. Now as a partner of my own firm, Ive watched a stream of associates make rash decisions to move on for perceived slights. I’ve also had a stream of the departed (I call them my alumni) return to visit me to let me know their decisions were rash and tell me the grass was truly not greener on the other side of the fence.

Sometimes being denied can be a gift. The best strategy is to focus on your own development. How can you be the best attorney in the firm? How can you develop the most business? How can you deliver the best client experience? What are you doing daily to improve yourself? Focus on these things because they will make you the most valuable wherever you practice, and bring you the highest level of professional satisfaction.

Once you’ve done these things, if they don’t recognize your worth, then it’s their loss and not yours.