Show notes
Welcome, friends, to the brand new book club series! If you’re reading (or listening) to this for the first time, I’m Monica Joy Krol. I’m a full-time working mom who chooses progress over perfection. This substack, now a book club again for the next several episodes, is about learning and growing together. It’s raw, real, and unedited with some help from AI. Over the next few weeks, we’re diving into one of my favorite new books: Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. This book is already making me think bigger, deeper, and with so much more possibility. Today we’re unpacking the insights and wisdom from Chapters 1 and 2. Let’s go!The Origin of “Everything is Figureoutable”Marie opens with her backstory and the mantra’s source: her mother, a pre-YouTube, pre-Pinterest wonder woman who fixed things and simply “figured it out.” Marie recalls asking her mother, “How do you know how to do so many things?” Her mother’s reply:“Nothing in life is that complicated. You can do whatever you set your mind to if you just roll up your sleeves, get in there, and do it. Everything is figureoutable.”This mantra is the foundation of Marie’s success, and now, the heart of this book.There’s a passage that really struck me and I want to share with you:“Despite what society, your family, or your mind may have led you to believe, you are not broken. Nothing is intrinsically wrong with you. You’re not a mistake, a fraud, or a fake. You’re not weak or incapable.”When I first read and heard that, it sent chills through my body. Why don’t we ever learn the tools to overcome these doubts? Maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly what this book is: a toolkit, and our work starts now.Big or Small: What Do YOU Want to Figure Out?In the spirit of reflection, here’s my own list of things I want to figure out:* How to build my business, support my family, and create the life I want* How to inspire and support my friends, my family, and you in your journey* How to raise children who know how powerful they are and have the confidence to do anything* How to enjoy motherhood—guilt-free* How to accomplish my “secret dreams” (maybe I’ll share them here… someday)* How to help my son become a confident reader, even if it’s a struggle at first* How to (finally!) take the car mats out to clean them. Believe me they are really gross and I can’t figure out how to detach them…yet!* Maybe, on days like today when I feel low energy, just how to honor that and chill the heck out without guiltWhat about you? No ambition is too big or too small. Write yours down, or just think on it as you read.Update: Since I wrote this, I figured out how to remove my car mats and I cleaned them. I feel like a new woman with a brand new car. Your Roadmap to ResultsMarie gives us a toolkit—a roadmap—to tackle life’s challenges. These stood out to me:1. Train Your Brain for GrowthMarie warns that one of the most self-sabotaging thoughts is, “I know this already.” I have some colleagues who fall into this trap after trainings, and honestly, it triggers me because it feels like a wasted learning opportunity. Truth is, there’s always something new to learn, even if it’s just a new layer of an old lesson.For example, at a recent webinar with Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, the content wasn’t new to me, but I paid attention to their presentation style, how they framed problems versus solutions, and it unlocked new insights for me. Marie’s advice: Instead of “this won’t work for me,” ask, “How can this work for me?” Or, swap “I know this already” for “What can I learn from this?”2. Try It Before You Deny ItBe open to experimenting! Marie’s three Rules of Play:* Rule 1: All problems (or dreams) are figureoutable.* Rule 2: If a problem isn't figureoutable, it’s probably not actually a problem—it’s a fact of life (like death or gravity).* Rule 3: If you don’t care enough to figure it out, that’s okay. Find something else that lights a fire in your heart, and start from rule one again.Reading these, my heart just overflows. What if the reason we never solved a problem or chased a dream is simply it wasn’t as important to us as we thought?3. Don’t Offend YourselfMarie’s a straight-talker, sometimes with “buttloads” (her word) of swearing and sass. If her (or my) style puts you off, maybe what you need to figure out is how you’re getting in your own way. The wisdom is worth it. Disclaimer, next week’s episode will be explicit since one of her homework items involves using the work, “B**sh*t” multiple times. 4. Do the WorkMy natural bias is toward action, not just thinking or researching (which can masquerade as action). I’m committing to doing each prompt and exercise with you over the coming weeks. Marie advocates for doing the work by hand—to slow down and let clarity emerge. But however you do it, just do the work.5. Connect With Our CommunityMarie says, and I wholeheartedly agree:“The figureoutable philosophy becomes geometrically more powerful (and fun!) when applied in collaboration with others. You’ll reach your collective goals faster and with a greater sense of joy, creativity, and camaraderie than ever before.”That’s why this Substack is now a book club. Learning together is way better, easier, and more fun.Are You In?This week we kicked off with Chapters 1 & 2. Each week we’ll focus on one chapter. Next up, Chapter 3, where we’ll be digging into insights and exercises as we go. Jump in the comments and let us know: are you with me? Write “HECK YEAH!” if you’re in.We’ll roll through all ten chapters (plus the epilogue), aiming to finish by early-to-mid October. And if you stick with me, I promise to reveal some big news that terrifies and excites me. Stay tuned and stay curious!So, what will YOU figure out this week? Let’s go on this journey together. Everything is figureoutable.Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* Workshop design and facilitation* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationartist.substack.com