Everything is Figureoutable

In this section, Forleo blends personal storytelling, cognitive psychology, and motivational rhetoric to reinforce The Power of Mindset in Achieving Goals. In Chapter 3, she presents her personal story—her dissatisfaction with various jobs and the inner voice pushing her toward an unconventional path—to illustrate the struggle between societal expectations and internal conviction. Her candid descriptions, such as of the male-dominated Wall Street environment, provide vivid contrast between external definitions of success and internal fulfillment. Forleo also integrates dialogue, such as her conversation with her father, where his encouragement, “You’re going to spend the next fifty years working hard. You have to find something you really love doing” (16), acts as a pivotal moment that nudges her toward a new belief system. 

A key nonfiction technique Forleo employs is the use of cognitive reframing, where she actively challenges the limiting beliefs that hold people back. In doing so, she demonstrates How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Fear. She does this both through her narrative—initial self-doubt about becoming a life coach and questioning her qualifications and financial stability—and through scientific research that supports the power of belief. For instance, in Chapter 3, she references studies on the placebo effect and placebo surgery, demonstrating how belief can lead to actual physiological changes, reinforcing her argument that mindset shapes outcomes. The discussion of the Kyushu Journal of Medical Science experiment, where boys experienced allergic reactions to harmless leaves simply because they believed they were poisonous, serves as a concrete example of belief’s tangible power. 

Forleo also uses anaphora and repetition to reinforce key ideas. For instance, in Chapter 4, she distinguishes between “can’t” and “won’t” through a series of structured examples that highlight how often people misuse “can’t” to mask unwillingness rather than inability. By rewriting common self-defeating statements with “won’t” instead of “can’t,” she forces the reader to confront the real reasons behind their inaction. This rhetorical shift turns the argument into a call for self-honesty, challenging readers to own their choices. The use of italics and capital letters—e.g., “YOU are 100 percent responsible for your life” (45)—further emphasizes points that she wants to be etched in the reader’s mind.

Forleo’s use of anecdotes and real-life examples exemplifies The Importance of Resilience and Adaptability. In Chapter 3, her inclusion of historical and scientific examples—such as Marva Collins’s impact on students labeled as “unteachable” and Roger Bannister’s breaking of the four-minute mile—demonstrates the universal applicability of her philosophy of resilience and perseverance. Similarly, in Chapter 4, she integrates stories of individuals like Malala Yousafzai, Bethany Hamilton, and Dr. Tererai Trent, all of whom overcame extraordinary obstacles without resorting to excuses. These personal success stories function as both emotional appeals (pathos) and evidence (logos), strengthening her argument that perseverance and resourcefulness are more decisive than circumstances. Each story is carefully chosen to counteract common excuses—Malala’s story addresses age and privilege, Bethany’s highlights resilience after trauma, and Tererai’s proves that financial constraints and social barriers can be overcome.

Another literary device Forleo uses is contrast and juxtaposition. In Chapter 4, Forleo sets up binary opposites, such as people who find reasons versus people who find results. By simplifying the debate into two starkly different mindsets, she makes her argument more digestible and persuasive. Similarly, the use of hypothetical extremes, such as imagining a doctor giving a life-or-death ultimatum to free up two hours a day, forces the reader to reconsider what they claim is impossible.

Forleo structures her arguments with lists and frameworks that make abstract ideas actionable. For instance, in Chapter 4, she systematically deconstructs the three most common excuses—lack of time, money, and knowledge- as she provides practical steps to counter each. The “Seven-Day Time Tracking” challenge turns self-improvement into a structured (70), measurable activity rather than an abstract concept. 

Forleo also integrates elements of call-to-action throughout the chapters, as she pushes readers beyond passive consumption of ideas. In Chapter 3, she structures an “Insight to Action Challenge” (38), explicitly instructing readers to identify and challenge their limiting beliefs by writing them down and actively dismissing them. Similarly, Chapter 4 concludes with an interactive challenge that forces the reader to apply what they’ve learned, reinforcing the book’s overarching message of taking action. This interactive component transforms her book from a passive self-help guide into a participatory experience, ensuring that readers engage with and apply her principles to their own lives.