The Three Rules Of Figureoutable
Everything is figureoutable — and if it isn't, either it's a law of nature or you don't care enough
- Difficulty
- Starter
- Time to result
- ~ongoing to results
- Steps
- 3
- Confidence
- 95%
Forleo's core operating belief, distilled into three rules that form a 'container' for honesty. Rule 1: all problems or dreams are figureoutable. Rule 2: if a problem or dream is not figureoutable, it's a law of nature (death, taxes) — so stop fighting it. Rule 3: you may simply not care enough to solve a particular dream or reach a particular goal, and that's okay — find something you do care deeply about and go back to rule 1. The rules let you be honest about what you actually care enough to figure out, and Forleo says there's never been one thing she truly wanted in her heart that she couldn't figure out. Rule 3 is the one nobody talks about and the most freeing.
Origin
Forleo built her whole career and book around 'everything is figureoutable' after realising that 99% of what any of us must do to grow has never been done before, so there is no playbook — only experimentation.
Core principles
- 01Almost every dream or problem is figureoutable.
- 02What isn't is a law of nature — accept it.
- 03Not caring enough is a valid, honest answer.
- 04The rules create a container for honesty about what you truly want.
How to run it
- 1
Assume it's figureoutable
Treat the problem or dream as solvable and start experimenting toward it.
Pro tip There's no playbook for anything innovative — expect to flop around and try again.
- 2
Check for a law of nature
If it genuinely can't be figured out, recognise it as a law of nature and stop expending energy fighting it.
- 3
Test whether you actually care
If it's stalled, ask honestly whether you care enough; if not, that's fine — redirect to something you do care about and return to rule 1.
Pro tip 'I don't care enough about this to figure it out right now' is a legitimate, freeing answer.
In the wild
As a broke new coach Forleo said 'I will coach your dog if you let me' — she just kept taking the next step because she cared enough to figure it out.
→ Relentless figuring-it-out, not a grand plan, built the business.
Common mistakes
Blaming yourself for unmet goals you never wanted
People beat themselves up as 'unmotivated failures' for goals they only think they should want, instead of admitting via rule 3 that they don't care enough.
Is it for you?
Best for
Anyone facing a daunting problem or an unmet goal they can't tell is a motivation issue.
Not ideal for
Genuine laws of nature that no effort can change.
From the transcript
“rule number one is that all problems or dreams are figureoutable”
From the episode
World Leading Life Coach: 3 Steps To Figuring Out ANYTHING You Want: Marie Forleo
World Leading Life Coach