55 pages • 1-hour read
Everything is Figureoutable
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Chapter 9-EpilogueChapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 9 Summary: “Refuse to Be Refused”
Forleo opens the chapter with a personal story that underscores the power of persistence. She recounts a pivotal moment when her relationship with her partner, Josh, was in jeopardy due to her workaholic tendencies. Determined to salvage their relationship, she planned a long-overdue vacation to Barcelona. However, a logistical misstep at the airport nearly derailed their trip. Arriving too late to check their bags, she refused to accept defeat. Thinking quickly, she purchased a carry-on bag, repacked their essentials in the middle of the terminal, and raced through security. Against all odds, they made it to their flight—only to experience an unexpected delay once on board. While the irony of the situation was not lost on her, the lesson was clear: sometimes, the only way forward is to refuse to take “no” for an answer.
Forleo then shifts to a real-world example of resilience: Leymah Gbowee, the Liberian activist who played a crucial role in ending Liberia’s civil war. Living through the horrors of war, Gbowee refused to accept the violence and injustice as an unchangeable reality. She mobilized thousands of women—both Christian and Muslim—who protested daily in white shirts, enduring scorching heat and torrential rain. They staged a sex strike to demand peace and eventually took their fight directly to the negotiating table. When male leaders dismissed their demands, Gbowee and her supporters blocked the doors, preventing them from leaving until an agreement was reached. Their relentless efforts led to the exile of Liberia’s dictator, Charles Taylor, and the country’s first female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Forleo argues that persistence is not just for grand social movements—it’s a skill that applies to everyday life. She shares her own experience of securing a dedicated studio space for her company. Initially rejected in favor of a tech startup, she refused to accept the decision without a fight. Instead, she wrote a persuasive letter outlining her company’s legitimacy, business history, and financial stability. Her persistence paid off when the deal with the tech company fell through, and she secured the lease.
The chapter also addresses how to deal with criticism, which often accompanies bold action. Forleo recounts a moment when a man at a business conference dismissed her online business as a “hobby,” assuming she was financially dependent on a wealthy partner. Instead of letting his words discourage her, she used them as fuel to prove him wrong and build her business to even greater success.
Forleo introduces a mindset shift: instead of reacting angrily to criticism, see it as a sign that you are doing something meaningful. She offers three strategies for handling negativity: “Always Consider the source” (193)—successful people rarely waste time attacking others, “Feel sad, not mad” (194)—recognize that hateful people are often projecting their pain, and “Have a Good Laugh” (194)—sometimes, the best way to neutralize negativity is with humor.
To help readers cultivate resilience, Forleo then provides an action plan. She encourages identifying past moments of persistence, brainstorming ways to overcome current setbacks, and connecting personal goals to a larger purpose. She underscores that motivation tied solely to personal gain will eventually wane, but when a dream is linked to a greater cause—whether it’s helping family, uplifting a community, or driving social change—it becomes an unstoppable force.
The chapter closes with a real-life account from a reader who used Forleo’s Everything is Figureoutable mindset to navigate the challenges of finding specialized care for her brother with early-onset Alzheimer’s. After facing multiple rejections from care facilities, she persisted—making in-person visits, following up repeatedly, and refusing to accept “no.” Her determination eventually led to securing a spot in the best available care home, illustrating that daunting obstacles can be overcome with persistence and creative problem-solving.
Chapter 10 Summary: “The World Needs Your Special Gift”
Forleo discusses the importance of recognizing and embracing one’s unique gifts, arguing that every person has something valuable to offer. She addresses the common fear that “it’s all been done before” (203), emphasizing that while ideas may not be entirely original, the way an individual presents them can make a difference. Some people will only resonate with a message when they hear it from a specific person at a specific time. This means that holding back due to self-doubt or the belief that others have already covered the topic is a mistake.
Forleo stresses that failing to share one’s gifts doesn’t just limit personal growth—it also deprives the world of something meaningful. She frames this reluctance as a form of “stealing” from those who might benefit from an idea, a skill, or a perspective. Whether it’s writing, creating, teaching, or simply engaging with others more fully, every contribution matters. She encourages readers to see their potential impact and to stop dismissing their value.
Imposter syndrome is another major obstacle that Forleo addresses. She points out that even highly accomplished figures, such as Jennifer Lopez and Maya Angelou, have struggled with feelings of being a fraud. This fear, she explains, is common among high achievers, particularly women. She offers practical strategies to combat it, such as openly discussing these feelings, keeping a “hype file” of positive feedback, and shifting focus from self-doubt to serving others.
Forleo also draws from Bronnie Ware’s research on the regrets of the dying, highlighting that the most common regret is not having lived a life true to oneself. She challenges readers to reflect on whether fear, societal expectations, or the need for approval is holding them back. To help gain clarity, she suggests an exercise in which readers imagine receiving a letter from their older, wiser selves, offering advice on how to move forward.
The chapter concludes with a call to action: the world needs more people who believe in possibilities and take action despite uncertainty. Forleo reinforces her core philosophy that “everything is figureoutable” and urges readers to stop waiting for the perfect moment. The greatest risk, she argues, is not failure but regret. By embracing their unique contributions and pushing past fear, individuals can create a meaningful impact in their own lives and for others.
Epilogue Summary: “The Real Secret to Lasting Success”
Forleo concludes Everything Is Figureoutable with a message on the importance of collective resilience and the role of community in overcoming challenges. She shares a real-life setback her team faced when a film crew lost all recorded footage from a major conference and a series of international interviews. Despite the devastating loss, her team immediately focused on solutions, re-planning and reshooting everything under tight deadlines. Forleo emphasizes that unexpected problems are inevitable, but how people respond makes all the difference. By adopting the mindset that everything is figureoutable, individuals and teams can navigate crises with creativity and determination.
She emphasizes that true success isn’t achieved alone. While personal responsibility is crucial, support from others can significantly enhance one’s ability to push through difficulties. Forleo stresses that fostering strong social connections and surrounding oneself with problem-solving, positive-minded people creates an environment where resilience thrives. She cites research showing that strong social bonds lead to better mental health, lower anxiety, and even longer life expectancy. Conversely, loneliness can be as detrimental to health as smoking or obesity.
To reinforce this, she encourages readers to shape their environment by investing in meaningful relationships. She suggests forming friendships with like-minded people who also believe in the figureoutable philosophy, as surrounding oneself with solution-oriented individuals increases the likelihood of success. She also highlights the power of workplace culture, advising leaders and employees alike to integrate problem-solving attitudes into their teams. When challenges arise, having a collective belief that solutions exist helps teams remain productive rather than paralyzed by setbacks.
Forleo also touches on the power of contribution, urging readers to be a force for good. She explains that whatever a person desires—support, recognition, or appreciation—should first be given to others. By focusing on generosity and service, individuals can create a positive cycle that benefits both themselves and their communities.
Chapter 9-Epilogue Analysis
In the final section, Forleo emphasizes perseverance, self-belief, and the importance of sharing one’s unique gifts with the world. Forleo utilizes a mix of personal anecdotes, historical examples, and expert references to illustrate The Importance of Resilience and Adaptability. She employs direct dialogue, internal monologue, and sensory details in storytelling to heighten emotional engagement. The passage where she and Josh race through JFK airport to catch a flight to Barcelona is written with an escalating pace, mirroring the urgency of the moment. By including dialogue with airport staff—“I’m sorry, Ms. Forleo, but there’s no way you’re making it on the 5:45 p.m.” (178)—she creates a dramatic tension that makes her eventual success more impactful. Similarly, Forleo begins Chapter 10 with a personal anecdote about her dietary resistance to healthy eating despite Josh’s persistent encouragement. However, when the same advice is offered by a wellness icon, Kris Carr, she enthusiastically embraces it. This anecdote serves to illustrate her main argument: people often need to hear a message from the right person at the right time for it to resonate. Structurally, this sets up the reader to accept the premise that their voice, despite similar messages existing elsewhere, may be the exact one that inspires someone.
Forleo integrates historical and real-world examples to ground her argument in larger societal struggles. In Chapter 9, the inclusion of Leymah Gbowee’s activism during the Liberian civil war demonstrates that persistence is not just useful in personal endeavors but can be world-changing. Gbowee’s leadership in the Liberian Mass Action for Peace—where she and thousands of women sat in public protest, deployed a sex strike, and physically blocked peace negotiators—functions as a tangible, compelling case study in refusing to be refused. Forleo highlights Gbowee’s resilience by quoting her direct account: “Every day we were on that field. Every day. We refused to go away” (183). This parallel between personal perseverance and large-scale activism underscores the universality of the chapter’s core lesson.
Forleo’s reference to external figures such as Babe Ruth, “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up” (177), and Margaret Thatcher, “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it” (181), reiterates The Power of Mindset in Achieving Goals. By drawing on these figures, she signals to the reader that resilience is a tested and celebrated virtue across various domains. She also integrates references from historical figures and experts. In Chapter 10, she quotes Martha Graham—“because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique” (202)—Jane Goodall, and Fred Rogers, all of whom are widely recognized authorities in their respective fields. These references lend credibility while appealing to different audiences—artists, activists, and educators—demonstrating that her principle transcends industries. Similarly, she introduces research-backed concepts such as impostor syndrome, citing Jodie Foster, Maya Angelou, and Jennifer Lopez, illustrating that even the most accomplished individuals grapple with self-doubt.
Forleo also strengthens her arguments by incorporating studies and empirical evidence. For instance, in the Epilogue, she cites studies on the impact of the lack of social connections. The statistic that “loneliness is as lethal as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day” is a particularly striking use of contrast (217) —placing social isolation on the same level as a widely condemned health hazard, which forces the reader to reevaluate the role of relationships in their own life.
By the end of each chapter, Forleo shifts toward practical empowerment through psychological reframing, which demonstrates How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Fear. The Hype File exercise in Chapter 10, where Forleo encourages readers to collect compliments and affirmations, offers a tangible method to counteract impostor syndrome rather than leaving the reader with abstract motivation. Likewise, the “Shine Your Light Out, Not In” technique (209), where one shifts attention from self-doubt to helping others, aligns with cognitive-behavioral principles that suggest action is the best remedy for paralyzing fear.
Forleo’s use of metaphor further strengthens her argument. For instance, in the Epilogue, she introduces the concept of a “figureoutable force field,” an imaginative and memorable way to frame the idea of curating one’s environment. This metaphor taps into a cultural familiarity with science fiction and superhero imagery, making the idea of protecting one’s mindset feel active and powerful rather than passive or theoretical. Similarly, she concludes Chapter 10 with an existential reminder—death. She presents the imagery of a cosmic train heading toward an inevitable end, using the conductor’s tap on the shoulder as a metaphor for life’s unpredictability. By personifying mortality, she creates a sense of urgency, a classic persuasive technique seen in motivational literature. The final challenge—writing a letter from one’s future self—employs automatic writing, a technique often used in therapeutic and creative fields to bypass conscious resistance. This transforms abstract motivation into a personal, reflective exercise.
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