Everything is Figureoutable

“Everything is figureoutable” – a simple belief that holds the power to unlock solutions to any problem, as long as you’re willing to put in the work.

1. The Power of Ideas Turned Into Realities

Ideas are magical sparks of our minds. With effort and determination, they can become real accomplishments. Marie Forleo’s life illustrates this beautifully. From a fresh graduate taking up jobs that didn’t feel right to becoming an internationally known life coach, she turned her ideas into reality through persistence and courage.

Marie’s story shows that success doesn’t come without challenges. She struggled with self-doubt in her early 20s, asking herself, “Why would anyone trust me to be their life coach?” Despite these uncertainties, she chose to believe in her calling and worked tirelessly to fund her dream by bartending and cleaning toilets. It was years before her business became stable, but she never stopped pushing.

Turning ideas into reality means embracing the journey, no matter how bumpy it gets. Each step, no matter how ordinary, can lead to extraordinary results with the right mindset and effort.

Examples

• Marie declined a Vogue promotion to pursue her calling despite uncertainties.
• She worked side jobs for seven years to stabilize her coaching business.
• Her conviction to follow through turned a new idea—life coaching—into a platform affecting millions.

2. Our Thoughts Shape Our Realities

The beliefs we hold about ourselves directly influence our actions and outcomes. Positive self-beliefs encourage us to tackle challenges, while negative thoughts lead to passiveness and inaction. The way we frame our mindset can determine what we ultimately achieve.

Forleo highlights how our believing in “I can’t” creates vicious cycles. For example, if someone assumes they’re bad with finances, they may avoid trying to budget, leading to financial chaos. On the other hand, believing in the possibility of improvement motivates action and learning, slowly turning weaknesses into strengths.

By consistently challenging self-limiting beliefs with empowering ones, we build not just success but personal growth. Each small step taken chips away at doubt, replacing it with confidence and capability.

Examples

• Marie improved as a dancer only by showing up to teach every class despite initial doubts.
• A struggling budgeter who believes they can learn tries different methods until they improve.
• Telling yourself, “I can find a way,” opens paths to new solutions.

3. “Everything is Figureoutable” as a Guiding Principle

Believing that “everything is figureoutable” resets our approach toward obstacles. Rather than stopping at “I can’t,” this belief encourages you to assume solutions exist and motivates you to find them.

The phrase isn’t about blind optimism but pragmatic action. For instance, Marie’s airport story demonstrates this beautifully. Confronted with missing her flight due to luggage issues, she didn’t give up. Instead, she found a workaround by repacking her luggage into carry-ons. By believing the situation could be solved, even against obstacles, she unlocked creativity and determination.

Taking on this mindset doesn’t mean abandoning realism but starting with the possibility that problems have answers. It empowers action where passivity might otherwise take over.

Examples

• Marie navigated an airport luggage issue by swiftly adapting her approach.
• Reframing problems like “I’m too old” as solvable opens new opportunities, e.g., dating or learning new skills.
• Belief in problem-solving pushes perseverance in moments when quitting feels easier.

4. Excuses Expose an Unwillingness, Not an Inability

Self-limiting beliefs often mask our unwillingness to act as inability. If we feel something is “too hard” or “not worth it,” we may frame it as “impossible.” This way, we sidestep responsibility and excuse ourselves from the effort involved.

Marie suggests replacing “can’t” with “won’t” to reveal choice in such situations. For instance, saying “I can’t afford this retreat” avoids the deeper truth: “I’m not willing to find a way.” When she wanted to attend a retreat in South America, she took on extra jobs and arranged a payment plan to make it happen. Her actions showed that determination creates opportunities.

Accountability in language—acknowledging a choice instead of a limitation—creates honest motivation to act instead of waiting for conditions to change.

Examples

• Marie worked three jobs to afford an important retreat.
• Choosing to “not work out today” versus “not being able to” shifts responsibility toward action.
• People find sudden energy/resources when chasing desperately wanted goals.

5. The Time Excuse: Always Reclaimable

“I don’t have time” is one of the most common excuses, yet reclaiming time is possible for almost everyone. By auditing how we spend our days—whether on TV, social media, or procrastination—we often discover hidden hours we could dedicate to our dreams.

Forleo suggests framing time hypotheticals to reveal its value. For example, if two hours a day could save your life, you’d likely reprioritize and find ways to achieve it. By cutting back on nonessentials and using small blocks consistently, even monumental goals become manageable.

A mere hour a day equates to over 45 full workdays yearly. With this time, big dreams—starting a business, writing a novel, or learning to cook—become less overwhelming.

Examples

• Marie saved time by simplifying her schedule early in her career.
• A side project like fitness is achievable with just 30 focused minutes daily.
• Unplugging from distractions like email windows or apps yields free hours.

6. Fear Is an Indicator, Not an Obstacle

Fear signals that something is meaningful. Instead of fighting it, we can recognize it as a marker guiding us toward what matters. Inaction breeds more fear, but stepping into scary spaces fuels growth.

Marie notes that fear doesn’t vanish even after taking steps forward. For example, Bruce Springsteen still gets stage nervousness but channels it as excitement. Interpreting fear positively means acting in spite of sweaty palms or self-doubt. Over time, repeat actions shrink the power fear holds over decisions.

Courage doesn’t require fearlessness. It’s about walking with fear instead, knowing discomfort is often temporary and leads to progress.

Examples

• Performing musicians reframe stage fright as excitement.
• Marie felt scared teaching dance classes but learned by showing up anyway.
• Fear in career moves suggests alignment with passion and purpose.

7. Clarity Comes Through Action

Hesitation stems from the idea that planning brings clarity, but clarity arises only by doing. The act of taking small, testable steps toward choices removes indecision and visibly reveals true desires.

Rather than overthinking whether coaching or dance was right, Marie began experimenting—taking classes or dabbling part-time instead of overcommitting too soon. Each experience provided clarity, which theoretical planning could not achieve. Small steps build undeniable momentum.

Breaking big commitments into experiments makes them approachable. Testing the waters refines paths toward growth.

Examples

• Marie danced before deciding it was her passion.
• A waverer considering moving abroad might try a month-long visit first.
• Small tries, like volunteering, clarify interest before diving into career shifts.

8. Readiness is a Mythical State

Waiting to feel fully “ready” delays meaningfully pursuing dreams. Readiness isn’t achievable upfront; it develops mid-action through practice, mistakes, and confidence-building.

Take exercising: starting without perfect motivation often leads to growing fitness habits over time due to enjoyment or results. Action itself becomes the teacher of confidence.

Rather than wasting years preparing mentally, starting messy creates understanding and paves progression toward goals.

Examples

• Marie improved dancing skills on stage rather than waiting “enough time” practicing.
• Entrepreneurs describe learning business lessons only post-launch.
• Writers write bad first drafts before honing legacy-worthy pages.

9. Purpose Magnifies Motivation

Recognizing how our unique talents, perspectives, and dreams uplift others gives renewed urgency toward chasing them. Putting off dreams might rob others of inspiration they could derive from us.

Forleo emphasizes this: your potential combination of qualities is unmatched. Serving as yourself rather than spectating reminds us the world benefits from our contributions.

Your higher purpose connects self-realization with communal benefit beyond personal whims.

Examples

• A dancer like Marie brings joy to others by mastering passion.
• Writers offering bestsellers inspire readers globally.
• Communities gain from individuals who pursue civic passions fully.

Takeaways

1. Start small—pick a single step toward one goal today, be it a phone call or carving 30 minutes.
2. Reframe fear as curiosity—it signals direction toward what matters most, not risk alone.
3. Replace “I can’t” with “I won’t” to recognize agency in taking needed action now.