Setbacks are inevitable in life. Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo equips you with the transformative mindset that every problem has a solution, empowering you to think positively, take decisive action, tackle any challenge, and make a meaningful impact. In this free Everything is Figureoutable summary, you’ll learn the key principles behind the Figureoutable mindset, along with practical steps to help you apply it in real-life.
The Figureoutable Philosophy
Marie Forleo’s pragmatic philosophy, “Everything is Figureoutable,” is rooted in the simple belief that no challenge is insurmountable with the right mindset. Inspired by her resourceful mother—who tackled life’s obstacles with independence and creativity, Forleo learned early on that there is always a way forward.
Despite growing up with two alcoholic parents, her mother never let circumstances define her. She fixed roofs, retiled bathrooms, and even repaired her beloved broken radio—all without formal training or access to the internet. Her can-do attitude proved that solutions are always within reach if you’re willing to figure them out.
At its core, the Figureoutable philosophy is about taking ownership of your life, cultivating positive thinking, and developing an unstoppable belief in your ability to find solutions. In this summary, we’ll explore the key pillars of this approach, equipping you with the tools to overcome challenges, build a thriving career or business, and create meaningful change in any area of your life.
Installing the ‘Everything is Figureoutable’ Mindset
In the book, Forleo breaks down her personal philosophy into actionable principles and tips, with examples of people who have applied them in real life. Here’s a visual overview:
We’ll dive into the first principle in more detail, then outline the remaining ideas. You can get the full insights and details in our full 15-page book summary
1. Lay the Foundation with the Right Mindset
Your brain is like a supercomputer, and your thoughts and beliefs are the software that run it. To achieve your goals and adopt the Figureoutable philosophy, you need to program your mind for success:
Replace unhelpful patterns with productive questions
Instead of thinking “I already know this,” ask, “What can I learn from this?”: Even if something sounds familiar, there’s almost always a fresh angle, a deeper insight, or a better way to apply it in your life. Staying curious trains your brain for growth.
Instead of “This won’t work for me,” ask, “How can this work for me?” This simple shift opens your mind to creative solutions rather than shutting down possibilities before even trying.
Don’t pre-judge an idea without trying it first.
Everything is figureoutable—unless it’s a fundamental law of nature (like gravity or death). But you don’t need to solve every problem either. Focus on challenges you’re truly passionate about and committed to solving.
Learn from others’ success.
When you see someone excelling, resist the urge to compare or doubt yourself. Instead, ask: “What can I learn from them? How can I apply their strategies in my own life?”
Take consistent action.
Reading about these ideas isn’t enough—it’s doing them that rewires your brain. Challenge yourself to apply what you learn for at least 30 days. Writing things down by hand can also boost retention.
Surround yourself with the right people.
Personal growth happens faster when you share your journey with a supportive community. Surround yourself with like-minded people who encourage you, share your journey, and offer fresh perspectives.
2. Install Empowering Beliefs
Our thoughts shape our beliefs, which ultimately determine our results in life. Self-limiting beliefs hold us back, while empowering ones unlock potential.
Belief → Thought → Feeling → Behavior → Results.
Fortunately, beliefs are learned, and they can be changed. When changing your beliefs, you don’t have to tackle everything at once. Instead, start by embracing the key belief that “Everything is Figureoutable.” This mindset strengthens resilience, opens the door to fresh solutions, and helps break down other self-limiting beliefs.
Check out our full Everything is Figureoutable summary bundle for specific steps and exercises to start shifting your beliefs.
3. Stop the Excuses
Excuses are just lies we tell ourselves to avoid taking action. When you say “I can’t…” what you’re really saying is “I won’t.” For example, “I can’t work out” is actually “I won’t work out.”
Recognizing this helps you take back control of your life. Remember, you’re the one responsible for it, and while you can’t always control external circumstances, you can control how you think, feel, and act.
One of the best ways to break free from excuses is to seek out inspiring stories of people who succeeded despite challenges. That’s why our full summary includes real-life examples of individuals who overcame obstacles and proved that success is possible with the right mindset. We also explain how to overcome common excuses that hold people back—like lack of time, money, or knowledge.
Master your self-talk with our free summary of What to Say When You Talk to Yourself!
4. Overcome Your Fears
Everyone experiences fear. What sets extraordinary people apart how they respond—instead of allowing fear to paralyze them, they use it as a signal to take action and grow. In our complete 15-page summary, we provide a step-by-step guide on identifying, managing, and using fear to your advantage.
5. Define and Commit to Your Dreams
To achieve something meaningful, you first need to know what you want. Clarity comes from action, not endless deliberation. If you’re unsure yet about what to do, just take small steps—explore your options, gather feedback, and break free from decision-paralysis. For example, if you’re struggling with a career decision, try taking a class, volunteering, or interning.
You don’t have to stick to one career path forever. Marie Forleo herself explored different roles—bartending, life coaching, and dancing—before finding success as a multi-passionate entrepreneur. In our complete Everything is Figureoutable summary, we’ll explore steps and exercises to get clear on your dreams and goals.
6. Start Even If You Feel Unprepared
If you wait until you feel ready, you’ll never get started. Action creates momentum.
By taking the first steps, you’ll learn, grow, and build confidence and clarity along the way.
7. Go for Progress, Not Perfection
Perfectionism is a destructive myth that stems from fear of failure, judgment, or feeling not good enough. It creates unrealistic expectations, raises the risk of mental health issues, stifles creativity, and slows learning.
A better approach is to focus on progress instead of perfection. This helps you take consistent action, embrace learning, and release the fear of judgment so you can reach your full potential. In our full book summary, we share practical steps to overcome negative thinking and perfectionism.
8. Don’t Take “No” for an Answer
Success requires persistence. Just because someone says, “You can’t” doesn’t mean they’re right. Keep looking for solutions. If you’re rejected from a job, try again. If someone says, “This can’t be done,” find another way. Change takes time and persistent effort. Scientific breakthroughs require years of trial and error, and huge progress in social issues (like the battle for LGTBQ+ rights) happens through perseverance. Even major changes take patience and resilience before making huge strides forward.
Instead of letting criticism or setbacks hold you back, turn them into opportunities for growth. Be unstoppable in the face of rejection.
9. Share Your Unique Gifts With the World
Everyone has something valuable to share, and the world needs your contribution. It doesn’t have to be big—even small daily actions, like sharing your art, being kind, or telling your story, can create a meaningful impact. In our full summary, we share how you can contribute meaningfully to the world, along with practical steps to overcoming imposter syndrome—the sense of being a fraud.
Getting the Most from Everything is Figureoutable
Everything is Figureoutable is about having a relentless optimism. When you adopt the mindset that “Everything is Figureoutable,” you see challenges as problems to solve (instead of barriers that stop you) and build confidence as you figure things out. Surrounding yourself with supportive, solutions-oriented people will further strengthen your ability to push through obstacles.
If you’re ready to apply the lessons from this book and get inspired by real-life success stories, check out our full book summary bundle that includes an infographic, 15-page text summary, and a 24-minute audio summary.
The book is packed with inspiring real-world examples and practical exercises to help you fully embrace this mindset. Forleo shares her life story and the journey that led her to entrepreneurship and the host of Marie TV. For more details, purchase the book here to read the entire book, or visit everythingisfigureoutable.com.
Interested in learning more about how to develop resilience, confidence, and a success-driven mindset? Check out other bestselling book summaries here:
- Grit – Learn how perseverance and passion, not just talent, are the keys to long-term success.
- Mindset – Understand the power of a growth mindset and how shifting your perspective can transform your life.
- You Are a Badass – a motivating and humorous guide to believing in yourself and taking bold action to create the life you want.
- Bulletproof Problem Solving – Equip yourself with this proven problem-solving framework to tackle any challenge in life with confidence.
Who Should Read This Book
- Anyone who want to succeed, whether in their careers, businesses, or personal development.
- Multipassionate go-getters and full-time workers looking to break free from limitations, take bold action, and create meaningful opportunities.
- Ambitious entrepreneurs who want to develop a problem-solving mindset, overcome obstacles, and build resilience in their journey to success.
About the Author of Everything is Figureoutable
Everything is Figureoutable was written by Marie Forleo. She is a best-selling author, life coach, entrepreneur, and CEO of Marie Forleo International, an education and media company she founded in 1999. She is the creator and host of award-winning show MarieTV and The Marie Forleo Podcast. Through her renowned business training program, B-School, she helps millions of people from all walks of life—ambitious entrepreneurs, creatives, and multi-passionate individuals turn their ideas into profitable, purpose-driven ventures.
Everything is Figureoutable Quotes
“The power isn’t out there, it’s in you.”
“Everything is figureoutable is…a practical, actionable discipline. A mantra that helps you operate at your best and achieve what you want.”
“Once mastered, the figureoutable philosophy will become a treasure you own in your heart, one that you can never lose.”
“All beliefs are a choice and choices can be changed.”
“The most powerful words in the universe are the words you say to yourself.”
“It’s never about having the time, it’s about making the time.”
“The fastest way out of our fear is through it.”
“Fear is not the enemy. Waiting to stop feeling afraid is.”
“Action spawns courage, not the other way around.”
“The more you care about what others think, the more they own you.”
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