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‘Delivers a knock-out punch to whatever ‘This book will change lives’ ELIZABETH GILBERT

EVERYTHING IS FIGUREOUTABLE
Pub Month 12/2020
is holding you back’ CHERYL STRAYED
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Everything is figureoutable.
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more creatively and positively, especially in the face of setbacks.

YOU’LL LEARN:
• How to deal with criticism
and imposter syndrome
• Why it’s crucial that you strive
for progress not perfection
• How to bounce back from failure
• How to overcome a lack of
time and money
• A fail-proof test to making
the right decisions

Everything is figureoutable is COVER SIGN OFF

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 Everything is Figureoutable

‘Millions of young women look to Marie as their inspiration for empowerment and
achievement . . . She’s the thought leader for the next generation’
Oprah Winfrey

‘Everything is Figureoutable is a whirlwind of power, humour, pragmatism and grace.

Marie Forleo writes exactly the way she lives – with full-on enthusiasm, no-bullshit
directness and a ferocious commitment to self-accountability. This woman is the
real deal, people. This book will change lives’
Liz Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic

‘Everything is Figureoutable will revolutionize your life. Whatever you’re working on,
dreaming of, or even avoiding, the solution is spelled out here. And if you’re think-
ing “but I can’t”, you especially need to stop reading this blurb and just buy the book
already, because as Marie will show you through the inspiring stories and practical
tools in these power-packed pages, you CAN!’
Sarah Jones, Tony ® and Obie Award-winning performer and writer

‘What does it take to make a reader feel loved, inspired and called out on their BS
all at the same time? I don’t know, but Marie Forleo has figured it out! Smart, funny
and as brilliant as it is straightforward. LOVED it!’
Brené Brown, PhD, author of Dare to Lead and Daring Greatly

‘Here’s the divine Marie Forleo with a book that is both a comfort and provocation.
No matter what . . . you can do this!! The wisdom in this book will make you see
yourself and your potential through a thrilling new lens’
Dani Shapiro, number one New York Times bestselling author of Inheritance

‘The best books fit our persistent locks like a perfectly made key. Marie is honest,
generous and caring, and she’s sharing her wisdom here. If you’re looking for the
next step on your journey to make a difference for others, here it is’
Seth Godin, author of This is Marketing

‘Everything is Figureoutable is a must-read for anyone who wants to face their fears,
fulfil their dreams and find a better way forward. With humour and insight, Marie
Forleo offers practical advice about how to get it done. This book delivers a knock-
out punch to whatever is holding you back’
Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild

Copyrighted Material
‘Marie
‘MarieForleo
Forleo––always
alwaysthe
thefirst
firsttotojump
jumpininandandchampion
championother
otherwomen
women––isisan an
inspiration
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WithEverything Figureoutableshe
EverythingisisFigureoutable shegives
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usthe
thebest
bestofofaaleadership
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book
bookand
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thebest
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It’shilarious,
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andactionable.
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the
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intomy
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personaland
andwork
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Abby
AbbyWambach,
Wambach,number
numberone
oneNew
NewYork Timesbestselling
YorkTimes bestselling
author
authorofofWolfpack,
Wolfpack,Olympian,
Olympian,activist
activist

‘Most
‘Mostofofususthink
thinkofofMarie
MarieForleo
Forleoasasaaperformer,
performer,mentor,
mentor,role
rolemodel
modelfor
foraagener-
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ation
ationofofyoung
youngwomen
womenandandmen,
men,and
andhostess
hostessofofMarieTV.
MarieTV.Everything
EverythingisisFigureoutable
Figureoutable
will
willchange
changethat.
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Thelady
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EverythingisisFigureoutable dazzlingmani-
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festo
festoon
onself-belief
self-beliefand
andself-empowerment.
self-empowerment.Perhaps
Perhapsher hergreatest
greatestcontribution
contributionyet’
yet’
Steven
StevenPressfield,
Pressfield,bestselling
bestsellingauthor
authorofof
The
TheWar Artand
WarofofArt andThe
TheArtist’s
Artist’sJourney
Journey

‘Thanks
‘Thanks toto Marie
Marie Forleo,
Forleo, “Everything
“Everything isis figureoutable”
figureoutable” hashas been
been one
one ofof my
my
mantras
mantras––and andher
herbook
bookdelivers
deliverson onits
itspromise.
promise.Marie’s
Marie’sguidance
guidanceisisbrilliant
brilliantand
and
illuminating,
illuminating,andandshe
shedelivers
deliversititininthe
themost
mostheartfelt,
heartfelt,down-to-earth
down-to-earthway.way.Everything
Everything
Figureoutablewill
isisFigureoutable willenergize
energizeyou,
you,movemoveyouyouand
andinspire
inspireyou
youtototake
takefearless
fearlessaction!’
action!’
Gabrielle
GabrielleBernstein,
Bernstein,number
numberone
oneNew
NewYork
YorkTimes
Times
bestselling
bestsellingauthor
authorofofThe
TheUniverse
UniverseHas
HasYour
YourBack
Back

‘Marie
‘MarieForleo
Forleoisisaaforce
forceofofnature,
nature,out
outthere
therehelping
helpingothers
othersfind
findtheir
theirown
ownconfi-
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dence
dencetotogrow
growthemselves
themselvesand andtheir
theirbusinesses.
businesses.InInEverything Figureoutable,Marie
EverythingisisFigureoutable, Marie
shares
sharessome
someofofthe
themost
mostpowerful
powerfullessons
lessonsshe
shehas
haslearned’
learned’
Simon
SimonSinek,
Sinek,optimist
optimistand
andNew
NewYork Timesbestselling
YorkTimes bestselling
author
authorofofStart
Startwith Whyand
withWhy andLeaders
LeadersEat
EatLast
Last

‘I’m
‘I’maalong-time
long-timefan fanofofMarieTV,
MarieTV,andandthis
thisbook
bookrepresents
representseverything
everythingIIadore
adoreabout
about
Marie
Marie––asasaateacher,
teacher,aawoman
womanand andan
anoverall
overallbadass!
badass!From
Fromher
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livesshe’s
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forthe
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up
her
herreal-talk
real-talkinsights
insightswithwithcandour,
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andimmense
immensewisdom,
wisdom,all
allwith
withher
her
inimitable
inimitablestyle
styleofofForleo
Forleofun!’
fun!’
Bryce
BryceDallas
DallasHoward,
Howard,actor
actorand
anddirector
director

‘The
‘The Everything Figureoutablebelief
EverythingisisFigureoutable belief system
system isis aa life-saver,
life-saver, life-changer,
life-changer, aa belief
belief
system
systemfor
forthe
theages.
ages.Every
Everyparent
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startwith
withthisthison
onhow
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be
behappy
happyand
andself-sufficient.
self-sufficient.Everything Figureoutablewill
EverythingisisFigureoutable willshatter
shatteryour
yourlimitations,
limitations,
open
openyour
yourheart
heartand
andhelp
helpyou
youreach
reachyour
yourmost
mostlong-buried
long-burieddreams’
dreams’
David
DavidBach,
Bach,nine-times
nine-timesNew
NewYork Timesbestselling
YorkTimes bestsellingauthor
authorofof
The
TheLatte Factorand
LatteFactor andSmart
SmartWomen
WomenFinish
FinishRich
Rich

Copyrighted Material
‘This
‘Thisisisaafantastic
fantasticbook.
book.It’s
It’saadelight
delighttotoread
readplus
plusit’s
it’soverflowing
overflowingwith
withpowerful
powerful
ideas
ideasand
andtools.
tools.Marie
Marieisissosowarm
warmandandwonderful.
wonderful.It’s
It’slike
liketalking
talkingwith
withyour
yourbest
best
friend
friendwho
whoalso
alsohappens
happenstotobebeincredibly
incrediblywise,
wise,helpful
helpful––and
andfunny!’
funny!’
Rick
RickHanson,
Hanson,PhD,
PhD,author
authorofofResilient:
Resilient:How
HowtotoGrow
Growan
an
Unshakable
UnshakableCore
CoreofofCalm,
Calm,Strength
Strengthand
andHappiness
Happiness

‘Everything
‘EverythingisisFigureoutable
Figureoutableisisan
anunapologetic
unapologeticguide
guidetotosolving
solvingyour
yourbiggest
biggestproblems
problems
and
andaccomplishing
accomplishingyour yourwildest
wildestdreams’
dreams’
Sophia
SophiaAmoruso,
Amoruso,co-founder
co-founderand
andCEO,
CEO,Girlboss
Girlboss

‘I‘Ihave
haveoften
oftenmarvelled
marvelledatatthethecreativity,
creativity,intensity
intensityand
andintegrity
integritywith
withwhich
whichMarie
Marie
builds
buildsher
hercareer.
career.I’ve
I’vewondered:
wondered:howhowdoes
doesshe
shedo
dososomuch
muchsosowell?
well?InInEverything
Everythingisis
Figureoutable,Marie
Figureoutable, Mariereveals
revealstotoher
herreaders
readersevery
everysecret
secretand
andstrategy
strategyshe’s
she’sused
usedtoto
build
buildher
herfascinating
fascinatinglife
lifeand
andher
herworld-changing
world-changingplatform.
platform.This
Thisbook
bookisisexactly
exactlylike
like
Marie:
Marie:fast-paced,
fast-paced,generous,
generous,wise,
wise,raw,
raw,funny,
funny,practical
practicaland
andhelpful’
helpful’
Glennon
GlennonDoyle,
Doyle,number
numberoneoneNew
NewYork Timesbestselling
YorkTimes bestselling
author
authorofofLove, Warrior,founder
Love,Warrior, founderofofTogether
TogetherRising
Rising

‘This
‘Thisbook
bookwill
willchange
changeyour
yourlife
lifeininall
allthe
thebest
bestways
wayspossible.
possible.Marie,
Marie,ininher
herstraight-
straight-
up
uphilarious
hilariousmanner,
manner,makes
makesyou
youunderstand
understandthe thepower
powerthat
thatyou
youtruly
trulyhave
havewhen
whenyouyou
get
getout
outofofyour
yourown
owndamn
damnway,
way,put
putinsight
insightinto
intoaction
actionand
anddo
dothe
thework.
work.Her Heradvice
advice
has
hashelped
helpedmemefigure
figureout
outhow
howtotolive
livethe
thelife
lifeofofmy
mydreams.
dreams.Everything
EverythingisisFigureoutable
Figureoutable
will
willdodothe
thesame
sameforforyou’
you’
Becky
BeckyLynch,
Lynch,WWE
WWERAW
RAWand
andInaugural
InauguralSmackDown
SmackDownWomen’s
Women’sChampion
Champion

‘For
‘Forcenturies,
centuries,we
wecurious,
curious,hungry,
hungry,joy-seeking
joy-seekinghumans
humanshave havebeen
beenononaaquest
questtotoun-
un-
lock
lockour
ourgreatest
greatestpotential.
potential.Well,
Well,what
whatififit’s
it’seasier
easierthan
thanwe wethink,
think,and
andititall
allstarts
starts
with
withone
onepowerful
powerfulbelief?
belief?You
Youhold
holdininyour
yourhandhandthethekey
keytotocreating
creatingthe
themagical,
magical,
meaningful
meaningful life
life you
you desire.
desire. Everything Figureoutable isis aa provocative,
Everything isis Figureoutable provocative, profound,
profound,
laugh-your-ass-off
laugh-your-ass-off game-changer.
game-changer. DevourDevour thisthis book
book and
and get get busy
busy living!
living! Thank
Thank
you,
you,Marie
MarieForleo
Forleo––you
youare
areaagift!’
gift!’
Kris
KrisCarr,
Carr,New
NewYork Timesbestselling
YorkTimes bestsellingauthor
author

‘Debt,
‘Debt,stress,
stress,depression,
depression,addiction,
addiction,boring
boringjob.
job.It’s
It’seasy
easytotobe
beparalysed
paralysedby bythe
theenor-
enor-
mity
mityofoflife’s
life’sproblems.
problems.Despair
Despairnonomore,
more,Marie
MarieForleo’s
Forleo’sEverything Figureoutableisis
EverythingisisFigureoutable
here.
here.Marie
Mariechannels
channelsher
hermother’s
mother’scan-do-it
can-do-itmentality
mentalityinto
intoaabook
bookthat
thatwill
willchange
change
your
yourmindset.
mindset.There
Thereisisno
nochallenge
challengetoo toosmall
smallorortoo
toogreat
greattotoovercome.
overcome.You Youcan
canfix
fix
your
yourwashing
washingmachine
machineandandyou
youcan
canlaunch
launchyour
yourdream
dreamcompany.
company.IIam amoften
oftenininawe
awe
ofofMarie
Marieandandeverything
everythingsheshehas
hasaccomplished.
accomplished.And Andnow
nowwe wehave
havethetheACTION-
ACTION-
ABLE
ABLEroadmap
roadmapon onhow
howsheshedoes
doesit.it.Lucky
Luckyus!’
us!’
Jeff
JeffKrasno,
Krasno,CEO,
CEO,Commune
Commune

Copyrighted Material
‘If‘Ifyou’re
you’restuck
stuckororfrustrated
frustratedwith
withany
anyaspect
aspectofofyour
yourlife,
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takeheart.
heart.With
Withher
hertrade-
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mark
markmix mixofofwarmth,
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andinsightful
insightfuladvice,
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MarieForleo
Forleoshows
showsus
ushow,
how,
asasthethetitle
titlesays,
says,everything
everythingisisfigureoutable’
figureoutable’
Arianna
AriannaHuffington,
Huffington,founder
founderand
andCEO,
CEO,Thrive
ThriveGlobal
Global

‘In
‘Inmy
myworld,
world,there
thereare
aretwo
twotypes
typesofofpeople:
people:those
thoseIIcan
cantrust
trusttotofigure
figureout
outaaproblem
problem
and
andthose
thoseIIcan’t.
can’t.Guess
Guesswhich
whichones
onesIIwant
wanttotowork
workwith?
with?Everything
EverythingisisFigureoutable
Figureoutable
gives
givesyou
youthe
thecourage
couragetotostand
standstrong
strongandandfind
findaaway
wayforward,
forward,no nomatter
matterwhat.
what.AA
must-read!’
must-read!’
Daymond
DaymondJohn,
John,co-star
co-starofoffour-time
four-timeEmmy
EmmyAward-winning
Award-winningShark
SharkTan
Tan

‘If‘Ifyou
youneed
needaacareer
careercheerleader,
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lookno
nofurther’
further’
Angelica
AngelicaMalin,
Malin,Refinery29
Refinery29

‘It’s
‘It’smore
morethan
thanjust
justaafun
funphrase
phrasetotosay.
say.It’s
It’saaphilosophy
philosophyofofrelentless
relentlessoptimism.
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Andrea
AndreaMcLean
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‘This
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aabboouutt tthhee au
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Marie
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showMarieTV
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ForleoPodcast, with
millions
millionsofoffans
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worldwide.Marie
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multi-passionate
go-getters
go-gettersdream
dreambigbigand
andcreate
createresults.
results.Learn
Learnmore
moreatatMarieForleo.com.
MarieForleo.com.

Copyrighted Material
 Everything
Everything
is
is
Figureoutable
Figureoutable

Copyrighted Material
EVE RY
H I NG
I NG
FIG
T H I NG
IS FIG
FIG
URE OU
TA B L E
Copyrighted Material
 Everything
is
Figureoutable

MARIE FORLEO

p o r t f oBUSINESS
lio | penguin

Copyrighted Material
 PENGUIN BUSINESS
UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia
India | New Zealand | South Africa

Penguin Business is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies

whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.

First published in the United States of America by Portfolio Penguin 2019

First published in Great Britain by Penguin Business 2019
This edition published 2020
001

Copyright © Marie Forleo, 2019

The moral right of the author has been asserted

Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A.

The authorized representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland,

Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 978–0–241–34105–6

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Penguin Random House is committed to a

sustainable future for our business, our readers
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Copyrighted Material
 For
For my
my parents.
parents.

Thank
Thank you
you for
for raising
raising me
me toto be
be

playful,
playful, fiercely
fiercely independent,
independent,

and
and toto honor
honor the
the value
value

of
of hard-
hard-ass
ass work.
work.

Copyrighted Material
Copyrighted Material
 The
Thepower
powerisn’t
isn’tout
outthere,
there,
it’s
it’sin
inyou.
you.

Copyrighted Material
 C
COON
NTTE
ENNTTSS

11
The
The Tropicana
Tropicana Orange
Orange 11

22
Your
Your Road
Road Map
Map to
to Results
Results 99

33
The
The Magic
Magic of
of Belief
Belief 19
19

44
Eliminate
Eliminate Excuses
Excuses 51
51

55
How
How to
to Deal
Deal with
with the
the Fear
Fear of
of Anything
Anything 91
91

66
Define
Define Your
Your Dream
Dream 117
117

Copyrighted Material
 77
Start
Start Before
Before You’re
You’re Ready
Ready 153
153

88
Progress
Progress Not
Not Perfection
Perfection 175
175

99
Refuse
Refuse to
to Be
Be Refused
Refused 207
207

10
10
The
The World
World Needs
Needs Your
Your Special
Special Gift
Gift 237
237

EPILOGUE
EPILOGUE
The
The Real
Real Secret
Secret to
to Lasting
Lasting Success
Success 253
253

Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments 263
263
Appendix:
Appendix:Even
EvenMore
MoreFigureoutable
FigureoutableField
FieldNotes
Notes 265
265
Notes
Notes 279
279
Index
Index 283
283

Copyrighted Material
Copyrighted Material
 1
The Tropicana Orange
The obvious is that which is never seen until someone
expresses it simply.
Kahlil Gibran

M
y mother has the tenacity of a bulldog, looks like June
Cleaver, and curses like a truck driver. She grew up the
daughter of two alcoholic parents in the projects of New-
ark, New Jersey. She learned, by necessity, how to stretch a dollar bill
around the block and is one of the most resourceful and industrious
people you could ever meet. She once told me she rarely felt valued,
loved, or beautiful, but she held tight to the promise she made to herself
that, once she was old enough, she’d find a way to a better life.
As a kid, I remember going through the Sunday paper together and
cutting coupons. She taught me all the different ways to save money.
She also taught me to pay close attention to the free stuff that brands
would send you—like recipe books or cooking utensils—if you saved
up and mailed in a “proof of purchase.” One of my mom’s most prized
possessions was a little transistor radio she got from Tropicana orange

Copyrighted Material
 eevveerryytthhiinngg iiss ffiigguurreeoouuta
tabbllee

juice,
juice, for
for free.
free. The
The radio
radio was
was the
the size,
size, color,
color, and
and shape
shape ofof an
an orange,
orange,
with
withaared-
red-and-
and-white-
white-striped
stripedantenna
antennasticking
stickingout
outthe
theside
sidelike
likeaastraw.
straw.
She
Sheloved
lovedthat
thatlittle
littleradio.
radio.
My
Mymom
momisisone
oneofofthose
thosepeople
peoplewho
whoisisconstantly
constantlybusy.
busy.As
Asaalittle
little
girl,
girl,IIknew
knewIIcould
couldfind
findher
hersomewhere
somewherearound
aroundthe
thehouse
houseor
oryard
yardby
by
listening
listeningfor
forthe
thetinny
tinnysound
soundcoming
comingout
outofofthat
thatTropicana
Tropicanaorange.
orange.One
One
day
day II was
was walking
walking home
home from
from school
school and
and heard
heard the
the radio
radio playing
playing off
off
ininthe
thedistance.
distance.As
AsIIgot
gotcloser,
closer,IIrealized
realizedthe
themusic
musicwas
wascoming
comingfrom
from
above.
above.IIlooked
lookedup
upand
andsaw
sawmy
mymom
momperched
perchedon
onthe
theroof
roofofofour
ourtwo-
two-
story
storyhouse.
house.“Moooom!
“Moooom!IsIseverything
everythingokay?
okay?What
Whatare
areyou
youdoing
doingall
allthe
the
way
wayup
upthere?!”
there?!”
She
Sheyelled
yelleddown,
down,“I’m
“I’mfine,
fine,Ree.
Ree.The
Theroof
roofhad
hadaaleak.
leak.When
WhenIIcalled
called
the
the roofer,
roofer, he
he said
said itit would
would be
be atat least
least five
five hundred
hundred bucks,
bucks, probably
probably
more.
more.That’s
That’sfriggin’
friggin’nuts!
nuts!IIremembered
rememberedseeing
seeingsome
someextra
extraasphalt
asphaltinin
the
thegarage
garageand
andfigured
figuredititwould
wouldjust
justtake
takeaafew
fewminutes
minutestotofix
fixititup.”
up.”
Another
Anothertime,
time,IIcame
camehome
homefrom
fromschool
schooland
andheard
heardthe
theradio
radiobuzzing
buzzing
from
from the
the back
back ofof the
the house.
house. Mom
Mom was
was inin the
the bathroom,
bathroom, surrounded
surrounded
by
by tools
tools and
and exposed
exposed pipes.
pipes. Dust
Dust particles
particles filled
filled the
the air.
air. “Mom,
“Mom, what’s
what’s
going
goingon?!”
on?!”
“Oh,
“Oh,I’m
I’mjust
justretiling
retilingthe
thebathroom,”
bathroom,”she
shesaid.
said.“I“Isaw
sawaafew
fewcracks
cracksand
and
didn’t
didn’twant
wantititall
alltotoget
getmoldy.”
moldy.”
You’ve
You’vegot
gottotounderstand,
understand,my
mymom
momisishigh
highschool
schooleducated
educatedand
andthis
this
was
wasthe
the1980s.
1980s.ItItwas
wasaapre-
pre-internet,
internet,pre-
pre-YouTube,
YouTube,pre-
pre-Google
Googleworld.
world.II
never
neverknew
knewwhere
whereI’d
I’dfind
findher
heror
orwhat
whatshe’d
she’dbe
bedoing,
doing,but
butall
allIIhad
hadtotodo
do
was
wasfollow
followthe
thecrackle
crackleofofthat
thatradio.
radio.
One
Onefall
fallday,
day,IIcame
camehome
homelate
latefrom
fromschool
schooland
andsomething
somethingwas
wasdif-
dif-
ferent.
ferent.Everything
Everythingwas
wasdark.
dark.There
Therewas
wasan
anunusual
unusualsilence.
silence.Something
Something
was
waswrong.
wrong.IIquietly
quietlywalked
walkedthrough
throughthe
thehouse
houseafraid
afraidofofwhat
whatIImight
might
find.
find. Where
Where was
was the
the sound
sound ofof the
the Tropicana
Tropicana orange?
orange? Where
Where was
was my
my
mom?
mom?Then
ThenIIheard
heardclicks
clicksand
andclacks.
clacks.IIfollowed
followedthat
thatsound
soundand
andsaw
sawmy
my

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mom
momhuddled
huddledover
overthe
thekitchen
kitchentable.
table.ItItlooked
lookedlike
likean
anoperating
operatingroom.
room.II
saw
sawelectrical
electricaltape
tapeand
andscrewdrivers,
screwdrivers,and
andspread
spreadout
outininfront
frontofofher
herwere
were
countless
countless tiny
tiny pieces
pieces ofof aa dismantled
dismantled Tropicana
Tropicana orange
orange radio.
radio. “Mom,
“Mom,
are
areyou
youokay?
okay?What
Whathappened
happenedtotoyour
yourradio?
radio?IsIsititbroken?”
broken?”
“It’s
“It’sfine,
fine,Ree.
Ree.No
Nobig
bigdeal.
deal.The
Theantenna
antennagot
gotbusted
bustedand
andthe
thetuner
tuner
dial
dialwas
wasaalittle
littleoff,
off,so
soI’m
I’mfixing
fixingit.”
it.”
IIstood
stoodthere
therefor
foraasecond,
second,watching
watchingher
herwork
workher
hermagic.
magic.Finally,
Finally,II
asked,
asked,“Hey,
“Hey,Mom,
Mom,how
howdo
doyou
youknow
knowhow
howtotodo
doso
somany
manydifferent
differentthings
things
that
that you’ve
you’ve never
never done
done before,
before, without
without anyone
anyone showing
showing you
you how
how toto
do
doit?”
it?”
She
Sheput
putdown
downher
herscrewdriver,
screwdriver,turned
turnedtotome,
me,and
andsaid,
said,“Don’t
“Don’tbe
besilly,
silly,
Ree.
Ree.Nothing
Nothingininlife
lifeisisthat
thatcomplicated.
complicated.You
Youcan
cando
dowhatever
whateveryou
youset
set
your
yourmind
mindtotoififyou
youjust
justroll
rollup
upyour
yoursleeves,
sleeves,get
getininthere,
there,and
anddo
doit.it.Ev-
Ev-
erything
erythingisisfigureoutable.”
figureoutable.”
IIwas
wastransfixed,
transfixed,reveling
revelingininand
andrepeating
repeatingthose
thosewords
wordsininmy
myhead:
head:
Everything
Everythingisisfigureoutable.
figureoutable.Everything
Everythingisisfigureoutable.
figureoutable.Holy
Holyshit,
shit,yes
yes. .. .. .

Everything
Everything Is
Is Figureoutable!
Figureoutable!

This
This phrase
phrase and
and philosophy
philosophy took
took root
root inin my
my soul.
soul. Since
Since then,
then, it’s
it’s
become
becomethe
themost
mostpowerful
powerfuldriving
drivingforce
forceininmy
mylife.
life.
ItIt helped
helped me
me end
end aa physically
physically abusive
abusive relationship.
relationship. In
In college,
college, itit
helped
helpedme
mewin
winhighly
highlycompetitive
competitiveand
andrare
rarework-
work-study
studypositions
positionstotopay
pay
for
for room
room and
and board
board and
and get
get into
into the
the exact
exact classes
classes II wanted—
wanted—despite
despite
prerequisite
prerequisitepolicies
policiesand
andwait
waitlists.
lists.Even
Evenasasaakid,
kid,it’s
it’swhy
whyIIkept
kepttrying
trying
out
outfor
forsports
sportsand
andcheer
cheerteams,
teams,even
evenafter
aftergetting
gettingrejected
rejectedyear
yearafter
afteryear.
year.
It’s
It’shelped
helpedme
meland
landevery
everyjob
jobI’ve
I’veever
everhad,
had,from
frombartending
bartendingatatthe
the
most
most coveted
coveted restaurants
restaurants inin Manhattan
Manhattan toto lucrative
lucrative oddball
oddball gigs—
gigs—
selling
selling glow
glow sticks
sticks atat megaclubs—
megaclubs—toto trading
trading on
on the
the floor
floor ofof the
the New
New

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York
York Stock
Stock Exchange,
Exchange, publishing
publishing atat Condé
Condé Nast,
Nast, teaching
teaching hip-
hip-hop,
hop,
starring
starring inin workout
workout videos,
videos, producing
producing and
and choreographing
choreographing on
on MTV,
MTV,
and
and becoming
becoming one
one ofof the
the world’s
world’s first
first Nike
Nike Elite
Elite Dance
Dance athletes—
athletes—
despite
despiteno
noformal
formaldance
dancetraining.
training.It’s
It’shelped
helpedme
meclimb
climbout
outofofdebilitat-
debilitat-
ing
ing debt,
debt, extricate
extricate myself
myself from
from dead-
dead-end
end relationships,
relationships, and
and save
save my
my
most
mostprecious
preciousones,
ones,often
oftenininrecord
recordtime.
time.
It’s
It’swhat
whatgave
gaveme
methe
theaudacity
audacitytotostart
startaabusiness
businessatattwenty-
twenty-three
threeand
and
build
build itit into
into aa multimillion-
multimillion-dollar,
dollar, socially
socially conscious
conscious education
education and
and
media
mediacompany
companyfrom
fromthe
theground
groundup—
up—with
withno
noclue,
clue,experience,
experience,inves-
inves-
tors,
tors,graduate
graduatedegree,
degree,or
orconnections.
connections.It’s
It’swhat
whatfueled
fueledme
metotostart
startfilm-
film-
ing
ingvideos
videosusing
usingmy
myfirst-
first-generation
generationwebcam,
webcam,which
whichwould
wouldlater
laterevolve
evolve
into
intoan
anaward-
award-winning
winningonline
onlineshow
showseen
seenby
bytens
tensofofmillions
millionsofoffans
fansinin
195
195 countries.
countries. II don’t
don’t say
say this
this toto brag.
brag. II say
say this
this because
because deep
deep inin my
my
bones
bonesIIam
amthat
thatcertain
certaineverything
everythingreally
reallyisisfigureoutable.
figureoutable.
Yes,
Yes,even
evenififyou’re
you’restarting
startingfrom
fromscratch.
scratch.Even
Evenififyou’ve
you’vealready
alreadytried
tried
and
andfailed.
failed.Even
Evenififyou
youdon’t
don’thave
haveaaclue
cluewhat
whatthe
thehell
hellyou’re
you’redoing
doingor
or
why
whythings
thingskeep
keepgoing
goingwrong.
wrong.Even
Evenififthe
theworld
worldhas
hastold
toldyou
youtime
timeand
and
time
timeagain
againthat
thatyou
youcan’t.
can’t.Even
Evenififyou’ve
you’vebeen
beenborn
borninto
intoextraordinary
extraordinary
challenges
challengesor
orfind
findyourself
yourselfwith
withthe
thedeck
deckstacked
stackedagainst
againstyou.
you.
Maybe
Maybeyou’re
you’rewondering
wonderingwhether
whetherthis
thisidea
ideacan
canhelp
helpyou
youconfront
confrontaa
harrowing
harrowingreality.
reality.Like
Likewhen
whenyou’re
you’reininthe
themidst
midstofofdespair
despairor
oraasense
senseofof
endless
endlessfutility.
futility.Experiences
Experienceslike:
like:

•• AAfrightening
frighteningand
andlife-
life-altering
alteringdiagnosis
diagnosis
•• The
Thetragic
tragicloss
lossofofaachild
childor
orloved
lovedone
one
•• Mental
Mentalillness
illnessand
andrecovery
recoveryafter
afterabuse
abuse

Yes.
Yes. Everything figureoutable helps
Everything isis figureoutable helps us
us face
face hard
hard truths
truths consciously.
consciously.
Throughout
Throughoutthis
thisbook,
book,you’ll
you’llhear
heartriumphant
triumphanttales
talesofofeveryday
everydaypeople
people

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confronting
confronting loss,
loss, illness,
illness, and
and heart-
heart-wrenching
wrenching pain.
pain. These
These “Figure-
“Figure-
outable
outable Field
Field Notes”
Notes” illustrate
illustrate how
how this
this one
one simple
simple idea
idea helps
helps us
us
find
find resilience,
resilience, resourcefulness,
resourcefulness, and
and hope—
hope—especially
especially when
when we
we need
need
ititmost.
most.

No
Nomatter
matterwhat
whatyou’re
you’refacing,
facing,you
youhave
havewhat
what
itittakes
takesto
tofigure
figureanything
anythingout
outand
andbecome
become
the
theperson
personyou’re
you’remeant
meantto
tobe.
be.

Despite
Despitewhat
whatsociety,
society,your
yourfamily,
family,or
oryour
yourmind
mindmay
mayhave
haveled
ledyou
you
toto believe,
believe, you
you are
are not
not broken.
broken. Nothing
Nothing isis intrinsically
intrinsically wrong
wrong with
with
you.
you. You’re
You’re not
not aa mistake,
mistake, or
or aa fraud,
fraud, or
or aa fake.
fake. You’re
You’re not
not weak
weak or
or
incapable.
incapable.
Quite
Quitesimply,
simply,none
noneofofus
uswere
weregiven
givenan
anowner’s
owner’smanual
manualatatbirth.
birth.Our
Our
educational
educationalsystem
systemdoesn’t
doesn’ttrain
trainus
ustotoharness
harnessthe
thepower
powerofofour
ourthoughts,
thoughts,
beliefs,
beliefs,emotions,
emotions,and
andthe
thewisdom
wisdomofofour
ourbodies.
bodies.ItItdoesn’t
doesn’tteach
teachus
ushow
how
toto develop
develop winning
winning mindsets,
mindsets, perspectives,
perspectives, and
and practical
practical habits
habits not
not
only
onlytotomeet
meetand
andovercome
overcomelife’s
life’schallenges
challengesbut
butalso
alsototoexperience
experiencereal
real
joy
joyand
andfulfillment.
fulfillment.ItItfails
failstotoshow
showus
ushow
howmuch
muchintrinsic
intrinsicpower
powerwe
weall
all
have.
have.Sadly,
Sadly,we
weget
getvery
verylittle
little(if
(ifany)
any)practical
practicaltraining
trainingon
onhow
howtotouse
use
our
ourgifts
giftstotomake
makeaadifference.
difference.
It’s
It’sup
uptotous
ustotofix
fixthat,
that,here
hereand
andnow.
now.As
Asthe
thegreat
greatMaya
MayaAngelou
Angelou
said,
said,“Do
“Dothe
thebest
bestyou
youcan
canuntil
untilyou
youknow
knowbetter.
better.Then
Thenwhen
whenyou
youknow
know
better,
better,do
dobetter.”
better.”Which
Whichisiswhy
whyI’m
I’mthrilled
thrilledyou’re
you’rehere.
here.Because
Becausethis
this
book
bookwill
willhelp
helpyou
youdo
doboth.
both.

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W
WHHYY IITT’’SS IIM
MPPOORTA
RTANNTT YYOOUU’’RREE
RREEAAD DIINNG
G TTH
HIISS NNO
OWW
Everything figureoutable will
Everythingisisfigureoutable will change
change your
your life.
life. You
You can
can use
use itit toto solve
solve
mundane
mundaneproblems
problemslike
likeaabusted
bustedwashing
washingmachine
machineor
oraaflat
flattire.
tire.You
Youcan
can
use
useitittotobuild
buildaacompany,
company,reshape
reshapeyour
yourhealth,
health,or
orcreate
createfinancial
financialfree-
free-
dom.
dom.You
Youcan
canuse
useitittotosave
save(or
(orend)
end)aarelationship
relationshipor
orcreate
createthe
themost
most
magnificent,
magnificent,passionate
passionatelove
lovestory
storyofofyour
yourdreams.
dreams.You
Youcan
canuse
useitittotofind
find
your
yourway
wayout
outofofchronic
chronicstress,
stress,grief,
grief,anger,
anger,depression,
depression,addiction,
addiction,anxi-
anxi-
ety,
ety, hopelessness,
hopelessness, and
and debt.
debt. You
You can
can use
use itit toto invent
invent aa breakthrough
breakthrough
technology,
technology,learn
learnaanew
newlanguage,
language,become
becomeaabetter
betterparent
parentor
oraastronger
stronger
leader.
leader.Most
Mostimportant,
important,you
youcan
canuse
usethis
thisidea
ideawith
withothers—
others—ininyour
yourfam-
fam-
ily,
ily, organization,
organization, team,
team, industry,
industry, community,
community, or
or the
the world—
world—toto create
create
positive
positiveand
andsignificant
significantchange.
change.
Individually
Individually and
and collectively,
collectively, we’re
we’re confronted
confronted by
by events
events and
and cir-
cir-
cumstances
cumstancesthat
thatcan
canno
nolonger
longerbe
beignored.
ignored.Political,
Political,social,
social,environmen-
environmen-
tal,
tal, and
and economic
economic forces
forces are
are upending
upending life
life asas we
we know
know it.it. Less
Less than
than
one-
one-third
thirdofofUS
USemployees
employeesare
areactively
activelyengaged
engagedatatwork,
work,aatrend
trendthat’s
that’s
continued
continuedfor
foryears.
years.The
Thedissatisfaction
dissatisfactionpeople
peoplefeel
feelright
rightnow
nowisishaving
having
serious
seriousglobal
globaleconomic
economicrepercussions,
repercussions,which
whichsays
saysnothing
nothingofofthe
theemo-
emo-
tional,
tional,psychological,
psychological,and
andspiritual
spiritualcosts
costsstraining
strainingour
oursouls
soulsand
andsociety.
society.
An
Anestimated
estimated350
350million
millionpeople
peoplearound
aroundthe
theworld
worldsuffer
sufferfrom
fromdepres-
depres-
sion,
sion,which
whichisisthe
theleading
leadingcause
causeofofdisability
disabilityand
andaamajor
majorcontributor
contributortoto
the
theburden
burdenofofdisease.
disease.In
Inthe
theUS,
US,suicide
suiciderates
ratesare
areatataathirty-
thirty-year
yearhigh.
high.
Every
Everyday
daywe
wethrow
throwaway
awaymore
morefood
foodininour
ourhomes,
homes,restaurants,
restaurants,and
and
supermarkets
supermarketsthan
thanititwould
wouldtake
taketotofeed
feedthe
thenearly
nearlyone
onebillion
billionpeople
people
who
who go
go hungry.
hungry.1 1 As
As aa species,
species, we
we choose
choose toto spend
spend more
more money
money each
each
year
year on
on ice
ice cream—
cream—aa whopping
whopping $59
$59 billion—
billion—rather
rather than
than provide
provide the
the

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basic
basic human
human dignities
dignities ofof education,
education, health
health care,
care, and
and sanitation
sanitation toto all
all
humans
humanson
onearth,
earth,for
foraamere
mere$28
$28billion.
billion.2 2We
Wehaven’t
haven’teven
eventouched
touchedupon
upon
the
thesystemic
systemicracism,
racism,corruption,
corruption,pollution,
pollution,violence,
violence,war
warinequality,
inequality,and
and
injustice
injusticethat
thatcontinue
continuetotocause
causepain
painacross
acrossevery
everycorner
cornerofofour
ourplanet.
planet.

Yet
Yetthere
therecan
canbe
beno
nosignificant
significantchange
changein
inthe
theworld
worldunless
unless
we
wefirst
firsthave
havethe
thecourage
courageto
tochange
changeourselves.
ourselves.In
Inorder
order
to
tochange
changeourselves,
ourselves,we
wemust
mustfirst
firstbelieve
believewe
wecan.
can.

Together,
Together, we’ll
we’ll use
use this
this one
one simple
simple belief,
belief, everything
everything isis figureoutable,
figureoutable,
totoactivate
activateour
ourinherent
inherentability
abilitytototransform
transformour
ourlives
livesand,
and,by
bydoing
doingso,
so,
instigate
instigatemeaningful
meaningfulchange
changearound
aroundus.
us.Which
Whichisisexactly
exactlywhy
whythis
thisbook
book
isisininyour
yourhands
handsright
rightnow.
now.
We
Weneed
needyou.
you.We
Weneed
needyour
yourheart,
heart,your
yourvoice,
voice,your
yourcourage,
courage,your
your
joy,
joy, your
your creativity,
creativity, your
your compassion,
compassion, your
your love,
love, and
and your
your gifts.
gifts. Now,
Now,
more
morethan
thanever.
ever.

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Copyrighted Material
 2
Your
Your Road
Road Map
Map to
to Results
Results
You
Youdon’t
don’tmake
makeprogress
progressby
bystanding
standingon
onthe
thesidelines,
sidelines,
whimpering
whimperingand
andcomplaining.
complaining.You
Youmake
makeprogress
progressby
byim-
im-
plementing
plementingideas.
ideas.
Shirley
Shirley Chisholm
Chisholm

J
ust
ustbecause
becausethis
thisidea
ideaisissimple
simpledoesn’t
doesn’tmean
meanthe
theroad
roadahead
aheadisis
easy.
easy.You’ll
You’llneed
needhumility
humilityand
andcourage.
courage.Self-
Self-compassion.
compassion.AAwill-
will-
ingness
ingness toto experiment.
experiment. AA sense
sense ofof humor.
humor. And
And patience.
patience. Lots
Lots
and
andlots
lotsofofpatience.
patience.As
AsCarlos
CarlosCastaneda
Castanedashared,
shared,“We
“Weeither
eithermake
makeour-
our-
selves
selvesmiserable,
miserable,or
orwe
wemake
makeourselves
ourselvesstrong.
strong.The
Theamount
amountofofwork
workisis
the
thesame.”
same.”
Before
Beforewe
wecontinue
continueon,
on,the
thefollowing
followingroad
roadmap
mapensures
ensuresyou
youget
getthe
the
most
most bang
bang for
for your
your buck.
buck. Once
Once mastered,
mastered, the
the figureoutable
figureoutable philoso-
philoso-
phy
phy will
will become
become aa treasure
treasure you
you own
own inin your
your heart,
heart, one
one that
that you
you can
can
never
neverlose.
lose.

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11.. TTRRAAIINN YYO

OUURR BBRRAAIINN
FFO
ORR GGRROOWWTTH H
Your
Yourbrain
brainisisan
anextraordinary
extraordinarybiocomputer,
biocomputer,and
andit’s
it’sconstantly
constantlyrunning
running
programs
programsthat
thatwork
workeither
eitherfor
foror
oragainst
againstyou.
you.That’s
That’swhy
whyIIwant
wantyou
youtoto
be
be aware
aware ofof two
two destructive
destructive thoughts—
thoughts—viruses,
viruses, ifif you
you will—
will—that
that can
can
pop
popup
upwhen
whenyou’re
you’relearning
learningsomething
somethingnew.
new.The
Thetrick
trickisistotocatch
catchthese
these
thought
thought viruses
viruses and
and turn
turn them
them into
into productive
productive questions.
questions. Why?
Why? Be-
Be-
cause
causethe
thebrain
brainisiswired
wiredtotoanswer
answerquestions.
questions.No
Nomatter
matterwhat
whatquestion
question
you
you ask,
ask, your
your brain
brain will
will immediately
immediately start
start searching
searching for
for an
an answer.
answer.
When
Whenyou
youtransform
transformthese
thesethoughts
thoughtsinto
intohelpful,
helpful,productive
productivequestions,
questions,
you
youtrain
trainyour
yourbrain
braintotohelp
helpyou
youlearn,
learn,grow,
grow,and
andimprove.
improve.
The
The first
first destructive
destructive thought
thought to
to watch
watch out
out for
for isis “I“I know
know this
this
already.”
already.”Whenever
Wheneverwe
wefeel
feellike
likewe
wealready
alreadyknow
knowsomething,
something,our
ourminds
minds
disengage
disengageand
andshut
shutdown.
down.The
Thenext
nexttime
timeyou
youhear
hearyourself
yourselfthinking
thinkingor
or
saying,
saying,“I“Iknow
knowthis
thisalready,”
already,”especially
especiallyasasyou
youread
readthis
thisbook,
book,immedi-
immedi-
ately
atelycatch
catchthat
thatthought
thoughtand
andswitch
switchtotoaagrowth-
growth-minded
mindedquestion.
question.Ask
Ask
yourself,
yourself,“What
“Whatcan
canIIlearn
learnfrom
fromthis?”
this?”Ask
Askititagain
againand
andagain
againwith
withgen-
gen-
uine
uinecuriosity.
curiosity.“What
“Whatcan
canIIlearn
learnfrom
fromthis?
this?What
Whatcan
canIIlearn
learnfrom
fromthis?”
this?”
You
Youcan
canalways
alwayslearn
learnone
oneofoftwo
twothings.
things.First,
First,you
youcan
canlearn
learnaanew
new
angle
angle toto aa concept
concept you’re
you’re familiar
familiar with.
with. Or
Or more
more likely,
likely, you’ll
you’ll realize
realize
that
thatyou’re
you’renot
notfully
fullyexecuting
executingon
onthe
thething
thingyou
you“already
“alreadyknow.”
know.”You’re
You’re
not
notliving
livingit.it.Knowing
Knowingsomething
somethingintellectually
intellectuallyisisvery
verydifferent
differentfrom
from
doing
doingsomething
somethingconsistently,
consistently,mastering
masteringit,it,and
andbenefiting
benefitingfrom
fromit.it.Be
Be
humble.
humble.IfIfyou
youcome
comeacross
acrossan
anidea
ideaor
orsuggestion
suggestionyou’ve
you’veheard
heardbefore,
before,
don’t
don’tskim
skimpast
pastititand
andsay,
say,““Whatever—
Whatever—IIknow
knowthis
thisalready.”
already.”Be
Bewiser
wiser
than
thanthat.
that.Ask
Askthe
thequestion
question“What
“Whatcan
canIIlearn
learnfrom
fromthis?”
this?”and
andtrain
trainyour
your
brain
braintotofind
findnew
newopportunities
opportunitiesfor
forgrowth.
growth.

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The
The second
second destructive
destructive thought
thought virus
virus isis “This
“This won’t
won’t work
work for
for
me.”
me.”Instead
Insteadofofsaying,
saying,“This
“Thiswon’t
won’twork
workfor
forme,”
me,”which
whichinstantly
instantlyshuts
shuts
down
downthe
thepossibility
possibilityofofanything
anythingworking,
working,stop,
stop,catch
catchit,it,and
andchange
changeitittoto
aamore
moreproductive
productivequestion.
question.Ask
Askyourself,
yourself,“How
“Howcan
canthis
thiswork
workme?
me?How
How
can
canthis
thiswork
workfor
forme?”
me?”Asking
Askingthis
thisquestion
questionagain
againand
andagain
againforces
forcesyou
you
toto look
look beyond
beyond the
the obvious,
obvious, stretch
stretch outside
outside your
your cognitive
cognitive comfort
comfort
zone,
zone,and
andpoke
pokeholes
holesininyour
yourown
ownstatus
statusquo.
quo.You’ll
You’lltrain
trainyour
yourbrain
braintoto
find
findnew
newconnections,
connections,innovations,
innovations,opportunities,
opportunities,and
andpossibilities
possibilitiesthat
that
otherwise
otherwisewould
wouldhave
havebeen
beenmissed.
missed.

Instead
Insteadof
of. .. .. . Ask
Askyourself
yourself. .. .. .

“I“Iknow
knowthis
thisalready.”
already.” “What
“Whatcan
canI Ilearn
learnfrom
fromthis?”
this?”

“This
“Thiswon’t
won’twork
workfor
forme.”
me.” “How
“Howcan
canthis
thiswork
workfor
forme?”
me?”

22.. TTRY
RY IITT BBEEFFO
ORREE
YYO
OUU D
DEENNYY IITT
Let’s
Let’smake
makeone
onething
thingclear.
clear.IIdon’t
don’tpretend
pretendtotohave
haveall
allthe
theanswers.
answers.Nor
Nor
does
doesthis
thisbook.
book.But
Butininthese
thesepages
pagesyou’ll
you’llget
getaasimple
simpleframework
frameworkand
andset
set
ofof tools
tools toto help
help you
you find
find or
or create
create your
your own.
own. IfIf you’re
you’re aa person
person who
who
thrives
thriveson
onplaying
playingdevil’s
devil’sadvocate,
advocate,you
youmight
mightalready
alreadybe
bethinking,
thinking,No,
No,
Marie.
Marie.Everything
EverythingisisNOT
NOTfigureoutable.
figureoutable.What aboutX,X,Y,Y,ororZZ. .. .. .??
Whatabout
Look,
Look,ififyou
youtry
tryhard
hardenough,
enough,I’m
I’msure
sureyou
youcan
canconjure
conjureup
upsomething
something
fantastical
fantasticalthat’s
that’snot
nottechnically
technicallyfigureoutable.
figureoutable.Or
Ornot
notfigureoutable—
figureoutable—
yet.
yet. For
For example,
example, you
you can’t
can’t bring
bring your
your childhood
childhood dog
dog back
back from
from the
the

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dead
dead(though
(thoughthere
thereare
arescientists
scientistsworking
workingon
oncryogenics,
cryogenics,and
anddog
dogclon-
clon-
ing
ing isis happening).
happening). You
You can’t
can’t figure
figure out
out how
how toto grow
grow working
working human
human
wings
wingsout
outofofyour
yourback
back(although
(althoughwe
wehumans
humanscan
canindeed
indeedfly).
fly).
Sure,
Sure, there’s
there’s no
no scientific
scientific evidence
evidence toto confirm
confirm my
my hypothesis
hypothesis that
that
everything
everythingisisactually
actuallyfigureoutable,
figureoutable,but
butyou’ll
you’llnever
nevergrow
growbeyond
beyondyour
your
current
current circumstances
circumstances ifif you’re
you’re closed
closed off
off toto everything
everything except
except what
what
you
youcurrently
currentlyknow.
know.Even
Evenififthis
thisentire
entirebook
bookisisbullshit,
bullshit,can
canyou
youthink
think
ofof aa more
more empowering
empowering and
and pragmatic
pragmatic philosophy
philosophy toto embrace?
embrace? Can
Can
you
you imagine
imagine aa more
more useful
useful and
and supportive
supportive belief
belief than
than everything
everything isis
figureoutable?
figureoutable?
With
With that
that inin mind,
mind, here
here are
are three
three rules
rules ofof play.
play. This
This mental
mental con-
con-
tainer
tainerhelps
helpsyou
youstay
stayfocused
focusedon
onwhat
whatmatters—
matters—your
yourgrowth,
growth,your
yourful-
ful-
fillment,
fillment, and
and your
your ability
ability toto access
access your
your inborn
inborn wisdom
wisdom toto solve
solve
problems
problemsand
andcontribute
contributetotoothers.
others.

Rule
Rule 11. .All
Allproblems
problems(or
(ordreams)
dreams)are
arefigureoutable.
figureoutable.
Rule
Rule 2.
2.IfIfaaproblem
problemisisnot
notfigureoutable,
figureoutable,it’s
it’snot
notreally
reallyaa
problem—
problem—it’s
it’saafact
factofoflife
lifeor
orlaw
lawofofnature
nature(e.g.,
(e.g.,death
deathor
or
gravity).
gravity).
Rule
Rule 3.
3.You
Youmay
maynot
notcare
careenough
enoughtotofigure
figurethis
thisproblem
problemout
out
or
orachieve
achievethis
thisparticular
particulardream.
dream.That’s
That’sokay.
okay.Find
Findanother
another
problem
problemor
ordream
dreamthat
thatignites
ignitesaablazing
blazingfire
fireininyour
yourheart
heartand
and
go
goback
backtotoRule
Rule1.1.

As
AsDavid
DavidDeutsch
Deutschsays,
says,“Everything
“Everythingthat
thatisisnot
notforbidden
forbiddenby
bylaws
lawsofof
nature
natureisisachievable,
achievable,given
giventhe
theright
rightknowledge.”
knowledge.”You
Youdon’t
don’tneed
needtototake
take
aaquantum
quantumtheorist’s
theorist’sword
wordfor
forit.it.Or
Ormy
myword,
word,for
forthat
thatmatter.
matter.Instead,
Instead,
test
testit.it.Apply
Applyit.it.Experience
Experienceit.it.Live
Liveit.it.See
Seefor
foryourself.
yourself.IfIfyou’re
you’rehell-
hell-
bent
bent on
on looking
looking for
for reasons
reasons why
why this
this won’t
won’t work,
work, congratulations.
congratulations. ItIt
won’t.
won’t.But
Butneither
neitherwill
willanything
anythingelse.
else.

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33.. D
DOONN’’TT O
OFFFFEENND
D YYO
OUURRSSEELLFF
Like
Likesea
seasalt
saltcrushed
crushedover
overaafresh
freshcaprese
capresesalad,
salad,you’ll
you’llfind
findswear
swearwords
words
sprinkled
sprinkledthroughout
throughoutthese
thesepages.
pages.IIwrite
writethe
theway
wayIIspeak,
speak,raw
rawand
andfrom
from
the
theheart.
heart.
My
Mysuggestion?
suggestion?Don’t
Don’toffend
offendyourself.
yourself.IfIfyou’re
you’regoing
goingtotoclutch
clutchyour
your
pearls
pearlsand
andgasp
gaspininhorror
horrorseeing
seeingwords
wordslike
like“clusterfuck”
“clusterfuck”or
or“shitstorm”
“shitstorm”
ininprint,
print,let
letus
uslovingly
lovinglypart
partways
waysnow.
now.In
Inaasimilar
similarvein,
vein,I’ve
I’vechosen
chosentoto
keep
keep the
the prose
prose simple
simple by
by using
using pronouns
pronouns like
like “she”
“she” and
and “he.”
“he.” Please
Please
know
knowthat
thatthis
thisbook
bookisisfor
foreveryone,
everyone,regardless
regardlessofofgender
genderidentity.
identity.
In
Inthe
thenearly
nearlytwo
twodecades
decadesofofmy
mycareer,
career,I’ve
I’vehad
hadthe
thehonor
honorofofhelping
helping
people
peoplecreate
createmeaningful
meaningfulchange
changeinintheir
theirlives—
lives—people
peoplewho
whocome
comefrom
from
aa dazzling
dazzling array
array ofof socioeconomic,
socioeconomic, ethnic,
ethnic, and
and cultural
cultural backgrounds.
backgrounds.
From
Fromages
agessix
sixtotoeighty-
eighty-six.
six.People
Peoplewho
whoare
arehomeless.
homeless.People
Peoplewith
withdis-
dis-
abilities.
abilities.People
Peoplewho
whoare
aredepressed
depressedand
andsuicidal.
suicidal.People
Peoplewho
whohave
havelost
lost
children,
children,spouses,
spouses,and
andloved
lovedones.
ones.People
Peoplerecovering
recoveringfrom
fromhorrific
horrificabuse
abuse
and
andlifelong
lifelongaddiction,
addiction,and
andpeople
peoplewho
whoare
arebattling
battlingaaterminal
terminaldisease.
disease.
As
Asaawhite
whitewoman
womanborn
bornininthe
theUS,
US,I’m
I’mwell
wellaware
awareofofmy
myprivilege.
privilege.
That
Thatsaid,
said,this
thisbook
bookisisfilled
filledwith
withcompelling,
compelling,diverse
diversestories
storiesfar
farbeyond
beyond
my
my own.
own. While
While not
not every
every anecdote,
anecdote, tool,
tool, or
or exercise
exercise will
will be
be aa match
match
for
for your
your situation,
situation, please
please don’t
don’t use
use the
the “easy
“easy for
for you
you toto say;
say; you’re
you’re
so
so __________
__________ [lucky,
[lucky, privileged,
privileged, etc.]”
etc.]” argument
argument toto let
let yourself
yourself off
off
the
thehook
hookfrom
fromexploring
exploringaaconcept
conceptthat
thatcould
couldbe
beofofvalue
valueininyour
yourlife.
life.
Remember
Remember toto ask,
ask, “What
“What can
can II learn
learn from
from this?
this? How
How can
can this
this work
work
for
forme?”
me?”
IIrespect
respectyou.
you.IIrespect
respectand
andappreciate
appreciateour
ourdifferences.
differences.The
Thefact
factthat
that
you
youpicked
pickedup
upthis
thisbook
booktells
tellsme
methat
thatwe
weshare
sharesome
someDNA.
DNA.We’re
We’reboth
both
students
studentsand
andseekers.
seekers.
While
While II don’t
don’t know
know the
the details
details ofof your
your history
history or
or hardships,
hardships, II do
do

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know
know this:
this: Your
Your innate
innate power
power isis immense.
immense. Your
Your potential
potential isis limitless.
limitless.
You
You are
are unique,
unique, valuable,
valuable, capable,
capable, and
and worthy
worthy ofof the
the dreams
dreams inin your
your
heart.
heart. Most
Most ofof all,
all, you
you have
have what
what itit takes
takes toto transform
transform and
and transcend
transcend
whatever
whateverchallenges
challengesyou
youface.
face.

44.. D
DOO TTH
HEE WO
WORRKK
Most
Most books
books are
are designed
designed toto help
help you
you acquire
acquire new
new information.
information. Some
Some
are
aremade
madewith
withthe
thehope
hopethat
thatyou’ll
you’llfeel
feelinspired.
inspired.My
Myintention
intentiongoes
goesfar
far
beyond that. I’m
beyond that. I’m committed
committed to
to helping
helping you
you get
get results.
results. For
For that
that toto
happen,
happen,you
youmust
mustdo
dothe
thework
workand
andcomplete
completethe
theInsight
InsighttotoAction
ActionChal-
Chal-
lenges
lengesininthis
thisbook
bookwith
withyour
yourfull
fulleffort.
effort.I’m
I’mtalking
talkingtotal,
total,down-
down-to-
to-your-
your-
bones
bonescommitment.
commitment.Because
Becauseinsight
insightwithout
withoutaction
actionisisworthless.
worthless.Taking
Taking
action
actionisisthe
theonly
onlypath
pathtotochange.
change.
Not
Notevery
everyexercise
exercisewill
willproduce
producemind-
mind-blowing
blowinginsights,
insights,but
butneither
neither
ofof us
us can
can predict
predict which
which challenge
challenge will
will trigger
trigger aa seismic
seismic paradigm
paradigm
shift
shiftor
orgame-
game-changing
changing“aha.”
“aha.”You’ll
You’llget
getout
outofofthis
thiswhat
whatyou
youput
putin.
in.So
So
don’t
don’tthink
thinkyour
youranswers
answerstotothose
thosethat
thatrequire
requirewriting.
writing.Don’t
Don’tsay,
say,“That
“That
sounds
sounds interesting,
interesting, II should
should try
try itit someday,”
someday,” toto aa challenge
challenge that
that says,
says,
“Do
“Dothis
thisnow.”
now.”
IIalso
alsoheartily
heartilyrecommend
recommendthat
thatyou
youcomplete
completeall
allwritten
writtenexercises
exercisesby
by
hand—
hand—ininaajournal
journalor
ornotebook—
notebook—rather
ratherthan
thanon
onaakeyboard,
keyboard,ififpossible.
possible.
Studies
Studiesshow
showthat
thatwriting
writingnotes
notesby
byhand
handhelps
helpsyou
youlearn,
learn,understand,
understand,
and
and retain
retain new
new information
information more
more effectively
effectively than
than typing.
typing. More
More than
than
that
thatthough,
though,writing
writingby
byhand
handforces
forcesyour
yourbrain
braintotoslow
slowdown
downand
andallows
allows
you
youtotoexpress
expressyour
yourideas
ideasand
andfeelings
feelingsmore
moreclearly
clearlyand
anddeeply.
deeply.Putting
Putting
pen
pentotopaper
paperisisaamystical
mysticalway
waytotoaccess
accessyour
yourmost
mostprofound
profoundtruths.
truths.
Do
Dothe
thework
workasassuggested.
suggested.Give
Giveyour
yourvery
verybest.
best.IfIfsomething
somethingdoesn’t
doesn’t
make
make sense
sense right
right now,
now, earmark
earmark itit and
and come
come back
back later.
later. The
The point
point isis

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toto stay
stay inin action
action and
and keep
keep moving
moving forward.
forward. All
All itit takes
takes isis one
one new
new
perspective
perspectiveor
ortool,
tool,and
andyour
yourlife
lifewill
willnever
neverbe
bethe
thesame
sameagain.
again.
You’ll
You’llalso
alsonotice
noticethat
thatsome
someofofthe
thekey
keypoints
pointscircle
circleback
backon
onthem-
them-
selves.
selves. Any
Any repetition
repetition isis by
by design.
design. Repetition
Repetition isis aa key
key principle
principle inin
neuroplasticity.
neuroplasticity.It’s
It’show
howwe
werewire
rewireour
ourbrains
brainsand
andturn
turngood
goodideas
ideasinto
into
permanent
permanentnew
newways
waysofofbeing
beingand
andbehaving.
behaving.
Like
Likelife,
life,the
thefigureoutable
figureoutablephilosophy
philosophyisisaaspiral
spiralpath.
path.Expect
Expecttotohit
hit
some
someofofthe
thesame
sameissues
issuesagain
againand
andagain,
again,each
eachtime
timeatataadifferent
differentlevel.
level.
My
Mygoal
goalisistotohelp
helpyou
youmaster
masterthe
thefundamental
fundamentalmindsets
mindsetsand
andhabits
habitsyou
you
need
needtotofigure
figureanything
anythingout,
out,for
forthe
therest
restofofyour
yourlife.
life.You
Youdon’t
don’tneed
needtoto
add
add 479
479 tasks
tasks toto your
your morning
morning routine
routine or
or dozens
dozens ofof complex,
complex, time-
time-
consuming
consuming techniques.
techniques. The
The figureoutable
figureoutable philosophy
philosophy requires
requires just
just aa
handful
handful ofof tools
tools and
and tenets
tenets that
that will
will alter
alter the
the trajectory
trajectory ofof your
your life.
life.
Simple
Simpleisiselegant
elegantand
andextremely
extremelyefficient.
efficient.
Nothing
Nothingininthis
thisbook
bookwill
willwork
workunless
unlessyou
youdo.
do.Experiment
Experimentwith
withthe
the
ideas,
ideas,suggestions,
suggestions,and
andaction
actionchallenges
challengesfor
foratatleast
leastthirty
thirtydays.
days.It’s
It’staken
taken
your
your entire
entire lifetime
lifetime toto acquire
acquire and
and reinforce
reinforce your
your current
current beliefs
beliefs and
and
behaviors,
behaviors,so
sothere
therewill
willnaturally
naturallybe
besome
somedeprogramming
deprogrammingrequired.
required.
I’m
I’m confident
confident that
that inin one
one month
month ofof consistent,
consistent, good-
good-faith
faith practice
practice
(and
(andthat’s
that’sdaily
dailygood-
good-faith practice!)!)you’ll
faithpractice you’llsee
seesignificant,
significant,noticeable
noticeableim-
im-
provements.
provements.More
Morethan
thanenough
enoughtotoencourage
encourageyou
youtotokeep
keepgoing.
going.

55.. CCO
ONNNNEECCTT W
WIITTH HOOUURR
CCO
OMMM MUUNNIITTYY
The
The figureoutable
figureoutable philosophy
philosophy becomes
becomes geometrically
geometrically more
more powerful
powerful
(and
(andfun!)
fun!)when
whenapplied
appliedinincollaboration
collaborationwith
withothers.
others.You’ll
You’llreach
reachyour
your
collective
collective goals
goals faster
faster and
and with
with aa greater
greater sense
sense ofof joy,
joy, creativity,
creativity, and
and

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