11 Things I Learned from “Everything Is Figureoutable” by Marie Forleo

I’ve been a fan of Marie Forleo for a few years now. Even though I’ve never done one of her courses I’ve always loved her approach to business and making shit happen. I rarely read non-fiction, personal growth books these days but I knew I had to read Marie Forleo’s new book Everything Is Figureoutable. I’m SO happy I did, it’s full of useful nuggets of inspiration and just plain good advice to live by, whether or not you run your own business.

I highly recommend reading the book for yourself, but below are 11 powerful lessons I learned from the book. I think you’ll find them helpful, no matter who you are or what you do.

Lessons from Everything is Figureoutable

1. Everything really is figureoutable.

Let’s kick this blog post off with the thesis of the whole book: Everything is figureoutable.

Of course, there are some exceptions to this statement. You can’t bring back someone from the dead. You also can’t change someone else’s opinion of you. But figuring out how to:

• write the novel you’ve been thinking about for 5 years
• launch the sustainable swimwear line you’ve been dreaming about
• get your dream job, even if you don’t have the right education or experience at the moment

All figureoutable. And so is just about everything in life.

I’ve been taking this advice to heart since I started reading this book. Whenever I come across a problem, be it something pretty dumb like figuring out why my Spotify is being so damn glitchy or something bigger like how to make more money doing what I love, I remind myself this is figureoutable. Sometimes it takes a few steps and research. But it’s not impossible.

 

2. The most powerful words in the universe are the words you say to yourself.

Let that sink in for a second.

A focus I frequently come back to in my yoga class is this powerful idea of listening to our own commentary we have in our brain. You know that inner monologue we all have? How often are we saying bitchy or just plain mean stuff about ourselves to ourselves?

Even in my own yoga practice, I’ll catch myself being a bully “Ugh, come on Kayla, do you really need that child’s pose? Really, Kayla, you couldn’t even hold crow for a second?!?”

I wouldn’t say these things to a friend or a yoga student, so why am I saying them to myself?

Marie Forleo talks about the idea of neural plasticity, one of my favorite things I learned in a college psychology class. Without getting too deep into it, basically you have the ability to change your brain and thought patterns. Isn’t that wild? It’s an amazing reminder that you can hijack your negative thoughts and start to replace them with more positive ones.

For example, instead of thinking about how you’re lazy or out of shape if you take a child’s pose in the middle of a yoga class instead: flip the script and think about how it’s amazing that you’ve listened to your body and what it needs. And obviously this doesn’t just apply to a yoga class: How can you flip the script and talk to yourself more kindly throughout your day?

 

3. If it’s important enough I’ll make the time. If not I’ll make an excuse.

Does anyone else want to do ALL the things? I want to get back to my roots and take a dance class at Broadway Dance Center and find a way to sing again. I’d love to take a writing class. And improv classes again. My list could go on, and on, and ON.

The thing I’ve realized about myself is that if I want something I’ll make it happen. But if it’s something I only kind of want, I’ll make up excuses.

This quote from the book felt like both a punch in the gut and a realization. There are certain things I actually want and I’ll do everything I can to make these things happen. But there are also some things that I don’t REALLY want at this time. There’s a reason I haven’t made the time to take a dance class in 5+ years.

It doesn’t mean I’ll never slip on my tap shoes again. But right now, it’s not a priority.

 

4. Fear is not the enemy. Waiting to stop feeling afraid is.

Fear isn’t a bad thing. Letting it hold you back is the bad thing.

I think about when I was just starting off as a yoga teacher. I was SO terrified and nervous to teach — did I really know enough to lead people through a safe yoga practice? I’m really proud of myself that I didn’t wait until the fear settled. One week after yoga teacher training ended I invited my friends over for a free yoga class. One month after yoga teacher training I hosted my first yoga class for paying yogis. Sure, I was nervous, but I still did it.

If I would’ve waited I’d have never taught a single yoga class. I’m still a bit nervous before every class I teach!

It’s okay to be afraid and feel fear, but don’t let it hold you back from trying or taking your first step.

 

5. I win or I learn but I never lose.

I really like this reminder that there’s no such thing as a failure. Failure is a chance to learn, it’s never a total loss.

 

6. Clarity comes from engagement, not thought

As a theater major in college, my teachers constantly commented on the fact that I got stuck in the planning phase. I’d spend weeks thinking about the show I wanted to create rather than just getting on my feet and creating what it is I wanted to create. It’s something I’m still guilty of, I get stuck in planning mode. I’ll spend hours researching or writing ideas in a notebook. It takes me months before I actually do the damn thing. Or sometimes I don’t do the damn thing and I continue to waste time daydreaming.

Well, clarity doesn’t come from research or daydreaming. It comes from doing the thing and then figuring out what’s working, what’s not.

 

7. Create a hype file.

Marie Forleo talks about creating a hype file, which is something I’m going to start doing. It’s an email folder or maybe a Google Doc or Note on your phone with positive feedback you’ve received. Maybe it’s an email from a client saying “OMG you’re the best,” a kind note from your manager, or a super positive review of your yoga class on ClassPass.

When you’re feeling shitty or like the worst yoga teacher ever (something I’m guilty of) look back to your hype file as a way to remember that you’re a total badass and people appreciate what you do.

 

8. Starting small and sucky beats staying stucky.

There is nothing shittier than being a beginner. Ugh, it’s literally the worst. Marie Forleo talks about how it’s better to start small and not be “great” than to just be totally paralyzed and do nothing. I think back to my early yoga teaching days. I’m sure I was far from good. And nowhere near great. But I had to start somewhere. Otherwise, I never would have been able to learn and grow and move forward.

Also, see #10 below for more on this topic of being a beginner.

 

9. Progress, not perfection.

We actually talk A LOT about this in Bar Method instructor training. As a fitness instructor when I give a hands-on or verbal adjustment my goal isn’t to make the person look perfect. The goal is to find progress. A mindset that’s really hard to accept when you’re a bit of a perfectionist.

I think this is a really important lesson in all aspects of life. Can we strive to simply find progress and not focus on only perfection?

 

10. Mind the gap between your ambition and your ability.

I’ve heard this concept before and I think it’s so important to highlight.

Let’s say you’re a musician. Your taste level is going to be higher than your skill level. You probably love listening to brilliant musicians who are experts at their craft. But if you’ve only just started taking piano lessons no way in hell are you going to be able to play the piano like your favorite musician. Nor will your songwriting be as fabulous as Sara Bareilles who has worked on her craft for years and years.

As a beginner you have to mind the gap between your ambition — to be Sara Bareilles or whoever it is you admire in your field — and your ability. I know I struggled with this when I first started teaching. I wanted to be just as polished, funny and challenging as my favorite teachers. It takes time and practice and you gotta start somewhere.

 

11. Fact: Everything you love is despised by someone else.

Have you ever looked at the Yelp reviews for your favorite restaurant? Or the reviews on ClassPass of your favorite instructor who gives you LIFE. I have as a reminder that you can’t take reviews personally. Not everyone is going to like my nearby sushi place as much as I do. But that doesn’t make me love them any less. You can’t take other people’s opinions as fact.

I’ve had to learn this lesson over and over again as a fitness instructor + yoga teacher. Duh, I want everyone to like me, who doesn’t? But that’s just not realistic. I’m not for everyone. This quote is a good reminder that you don’t have to please everyone.

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