Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

How to Achieve Anything You Want in Life with Marie Forleo (Re-release) #628

February 22, 2026

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  • Failing to share your unique gifts and dreams means you are stealing from those who need you most, as your genius is unrepeatable. 
  • Burnout is often related to the quality and belief in the work being done, rather than just the quantity of work. 
  • The core philosophy of 'Everything is Figureoutable' is supported by three rules: all problems/dreams are figureoutable, unchangeable issues are facts of life, and you must care enough to solve the problem. 
  • The fundamental belief that 'you are not a failure' and 'you are not broken' is transformative, shifting individuals from a fixed mindset of helplessness to one of hope, curiosity, and possibility. 
  • Mistakes should be reframed as learning opportunities, following the principle 'I win or I learn, but I never lose,' which supports the non-linear nature of progress. 

Segments

The Origin of Figureoutable
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(00:07:18)
  • Key Takeaway: The phrase ‘Everything is Figureoutable’ originated from Marie Forleo’s mother, who modeled resourcefulness by fixing complex household issues without prior knowledge.
  • Summary: Marie Forleo’s mother, despite limited formal education, taught her resourcefulness by tackling home repairs like roofing and tiling herself, often using a small transistor radio as a beacon. This hands-on problem-solving culminated in her mother dismantling and fixing the radio, proclaiming, ‘Everything is figure outable.’ This foundational experience became the most powerful driving force in Forleo’s life and career.
Applying Figureoutable Philosophy
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(00:11:16)
  • Key Takeaway: The ‘figureoutable’ philosophy has been applied by Forleo to overcome personal challenges, secure work study positions, and achieve career milestones without formal training.
  • Summary: Forleo used the mantra to exit an abusive relationship, secure necessary college funding, and land jobs like working on the NYSE floor and becoming a Nike dance athlete despite lacking formal training. The philosophy is a continuous practice, not a one-time fix, which she uses daily to navigate challenges.
Universality of Figureoutable
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(00:14:08)
  • Key Takeaway: The figureoutable philosophy is universally applicable, proven by diverse success stories overcoming major life obstacles, including grief and trauma.
  • Summary: Forleo emphasizes that her success is not due to inherent advantage but is supported by stories in her book from people across all backgrounds facing severe hardship, including grief and addiction. The belief is that human power and potential are immense, allowing transformation or transcendence of any challenge faced.
Agency and Overcoming Helplessness
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(00:18:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Restoring a sense of agency and control over one’s circumstances is crucial for overcoming demoralization, especially in health contexts.
  • Summary: When patients feel they have no control over their illness progression, it becomes disempowering; providing tools for control is vital. The philosophy asserts that no problem is insurmountable, which counters the feeling of learned helplessness often associated with externalizing control.
Figureoutable Rules and Scientific Basis
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(00:20:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The figureoutable philosophy is bounded by three rules, acknowledging that unachievable goals are facts of nature, not problems requiring solutions.
  • Summary: The three rules state that all problems/dreams are figureoutable, unfigureoutable issues are facts of life (like gravity), and one must care enough to solve a problem. This aligns with the scientific view that anything not forbidden by natural laws is achievable with the right knowledge.
Progress Over Perfectionism
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(00:24:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Perfectionism is self-abuse rooted in comparison, and striving for progress rather than perfection increases quality by encouraging consistent output and learning from failures.
  • Summary: Perfectionism often stems from high standards mixed with the fear of not being good enough, frequently fueled by social media comparison. The mantra ‘we strive for progress, not perfection’ shifts the metric from flawless execution to learning and growth, even through setbacks.
Growth Mindset Importance
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(00:32:31)
  • Key Takeaway: A growth mindset, believing abilities can be developed through effort, is 80-90% of the game when attempting life changes, unlike a fixed mindset which limits potential.
  • Summary: A fixed mindset believes talents are innate and unchangeable, leading to scarcity thinking, whereas a growth mindset embraces challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement. If one believes change is possible, the mechanics of achieving that change are usually straightforward.
Curbing Comparison and Consumption
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(00:36:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Comparison is ‘creative kryptonite’ that derails focus; creating before consuming shifts focus back to personal output and fulfillment.
  • Summary: Comparing oneself to others is a losing proposition that drains creative energy, likened to taking shots of ‘Compare Schlager.’ A powerful habit is to create something—whether writing, meditating, or exercising—before consuming content like social media or news.
Your Unique Voice Matters
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(00:40:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Even if an idea seems overdone, the world needs your unique voice and creation because the specific way you deliver a message may be exactly what someone needs to hear.
  • Summary: Just as Oprah brought a new voice to talk shows or a small restaurant adds unique value, your contribution is irreplaceable. If you withhold your gift because you feel it’s been said before, you deny those who need your specific perspective.
Reframing Excuses: Can’t vs. Won’t
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(00:45:21)
  • Key Takeaway: The word ‘can’t’ is often a self-deceptive euphemism for ‘won’t,’ meaning a lack of willingness to make the necessary sacrifice or change priorities.
  • Summary: When we say ‘can’t,’ we feel powerless, but using ‘won’t’ or admitting ‘I don’t want it bad enough’ restores agency and choice. People consistently find time or money for things they truly prioritize, proving that most perceived limitations are matters of will, not capability.
Practice is Ongoing
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(00:54:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Core principles like ‘progress, not perfection’ are active, lifelong practices, not one-time achievements.
  • Summary: The philosophy discussed is an ongoing practice that the speaker uses every single day until their last day on earth. It is an active living practice that must be employed whenever embracing a new adventure or goal, such as learning Italian. This cyclical process supports continuous growth.
Transformative Core Beliefs
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(00:55:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Believing ‘you are not broken’ counters the fixed mindset that locks people into cycles of stagnation and hopelessness.
  • Summary: Two powerful messages are that individuals are not failures and are not broken, which is crucial because feeling broken prevents people from believing they deserve or can achieve change. Adopting the idea that unhelpful habits exist, rather than inherent brokenness, opens the mind to new possibilities, hope, and creativity. This shift is essential for making fundamental life changes.
Sponsor Message: The Way App
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(00:56:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Meditation offers structural brain benefits and The Way app provides 30 free sessions to establish a sticking practice.
  • Summary: The Way app is highlighted as an effective tool for establishing a consistent meditation practice, leading to calmness, focus, and presence. Meditation is scientifically shown to reduce stress and improve emotional regulation over time. Listeners can access 30 free meditation sessions by visiting thewayapp.com/livemore.
Education System Gaps
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(01:00:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The standard educational system fails to teach vital tools for harnessing thoughts, beliefs, and body wisdom for joy and fulfillment.
  • Summary: The current educational system does not teach individuals how to harness the power of their thoughts and beliefs to live joyful, meaningful lives. This lack of instruction is why many people only begin exploring these concepts in their 20s. Empowering children with these tools helps them grow from inevitable challenges rather than shrink from them.
Reframing Mistakes and Progress
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(01:02:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Mistakes are natural parts of a squiggly progress line, not indicators of failure, especially when adopting the ‘I win or I learn’ mindset.
  • Summary: Language is powerful, and calling adverse events ‘mistakes’ can be limiting; the speaker adopted the phrase ‘I win or I learn, but I never lose.’ This perspective ensures that every setback, even wasted time or poor judgment, is extracted as growth or learning. Progress is not a straight line but a squiggly path where setbacks are a natural component of the learning journey.
Stories of Transformation
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(01:05:21)
  • Key Takeaway: A simple phrase like ’everything is figureoutable’ helped a reader overcome grief, debt, and addiction within 18 months.
  • Summary: The book features stories from readers who used the ’everything is figureoutable’ philosophy to create massive change. One inspiring example involved a woman who, after losing her father, job, and falling into debt and substance abuse, used the phrase to initiate positive changes in her habits. Within a year and a half, she transformed her health, found a new job, and pursued her desired career.
Building a Support System
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(01:09:25)
  • Key Takeaway: To counteract non-supportive environments, build a ‘figure-outable force field’ by finding just one kindred spirit, online or in person.
  • Summary: When external support is lacking, individuals should actively build a ‘figure-outable force field,’ which requires only one supportive person to start. A key method is sharing the philosophy with someone you care about, focusing on supporting their dreams first. Kindred spirits can be found through online connections, making collective application of the philosophy exponentially more powerful.
Common Themes in Influencers
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(01:12:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Influential people across diverse fields universally believe their contribution has merit and value worthy of sharing.
  • Summary: Across various industries, influential people share a common belief that they can make a difference through their unique contribution, voice, or product. This internal conviction that their value is worthy of sharing aligns directly with the message that their goals and problems are figureoutable. This shared self-belief is a consistent principle among successful individuals.
Actionable Tip for Immediate Change
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(01:14:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Saying ’everything is figure outable’ out loud frequently embeds the belief, training the brain to focus on solutions over problems.
  • Summary: The single most important actionable tip is to say the words, ’everything is figure outable,’ out loud as often as possible, such as upon waking or showering. Using one’s voice creates new neural pathways far more effectively than silent thought alone. Embedding this belief makes it the default response during crises, training the brain toward innovation and resilience.