Everything Is Figureoutable

My mother has the tenacity of a bulldog, looks like June Cleaver, and curses like a truck driver. She grew up the daughter of two alcoholic parents in the projects of New­ark, New Jersey. She learned, by necessity, how to stretch a dollar bill around the block and is one of the most resourceful and industrious people you could ever meet. She once told me she rarely felt valued, loved, or beautiful, but she held tight to the promise she made to herself that, once she was old enough, she d find a way to a better life.

As a kid, I remember going through the Sunday paper together and cutting coupons. She taught me all the different ways to save money. She also taught me to pay close attention to the free stuff that brands would send you like recipe books or cooking utensils if you saved up and mailed in a proof of purchase. One of my mom s most prized possessions was a little transistor radio she got from juice, for free. The radio was the size, color, and shape of an orange, with a red-and-white-striped antenna sticking out the side like a straw. She loved that little radio.

My mom is one of those people who is constantly busy. As a little girl, I knew I could find her somewhere around the house or yard by listening for the tinny sound coming out of that Tropicana orange. One day I was walking home from school and heard the radio playing off in the distance. As I got closer, I realized the music was coming from above. I looked up and saw my mom perched on the roof of our two- story house. Moooom! Is everything okay? What are you doing all the way up there?!

She yelled down, I m fine, Ree. The roof had a leak. When I called the roofer, he said it would be at least five hundred bucks, probably more. That s friggin nuts! I remembered seeing some extra asphalt in the garage and figured it would just take a few minutes to fix it up.

Another time, I came home from school and heard the radio buzzing from the back of the house. Mom was in the bathroom, surrounded by tools and exposed pipes. Dust particles filled the air. Mom, what s going on?!

Oh, I m just retiling the bathroom, she said. I saw a few cracks and didn t want it all to get moldy.

You ve got to understand, my mom is high school educated and this was the 1980s. It was a pre-internet, pre-YouTube, pre-Google world. I never knew where I d find her or what she d be doing, but all I had to do was follow the crackle of that radio.

One fall day, I came home late from school and something was dif­ferent. Everything was dark. There was an unusual silence. Something was wrong. I quietly walked through the house afraid of what I might find. Where was the sound of the Tropicana orange? Where was my mom? Then I heard clicks and clacks. I followed that sound and saw my mom huddled over the kitchen table. It looked like an operating room. I saw electrical tape and screwdrivers, and spread out in front of her were countless tiny pieces of a dismantled Tropicana orange radio. Mom, are you okay? What happened to your radio? Is it broken?

It s fine, Ree. No big deal. The antenna got busted and the tuner dial was a little off, so I m fixing it.

I stood there for a second, watching her work her magic. Finally, I asked, Hey, Mom, how do you know how to do so many different things that you ve never done before, without anyone showing you how to do it?

She put down her screwdriver, turned to me, and said, Don t be silly, Ree. 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.

--Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art and The Artist s Journey 

"Thanks to Marie Forleo, 'Everything is figureoutable' has been one of my mantras and her book delivers on its promise. Marie s guidance is brilliant and illuminating."
--Gabrielle Bernstein, author of The Universe Has Your Back

"Marie Forleo is a force of nature, out there helping others find their own confidence to grow themselves and their businesses. In Everything is Figureoutable, Marie shares some of the most powerful lessons she has learned." 
--Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why and Leaders Eat Last

"I m a long-time fan of MarieTV, and this book represents everything I adore about Marie as a teacher, a woman, and an overall badass! "
--Bryce Dallas Howard, Actor and Director

"Everything is Figureoutable is a life saver, life changer, and a belief system for the ages." 
--David Bach, author of The Latte Factor and Smart Women Finish Rich

"Everything is Figureoutable turns you into the powerhouse you were born to be. If you ever wonder what separates those who dream from those who achieve, this book is your answer." 
--Tony Robbins, America s #1 Business and Life Strategist and author of Unshakeable

"Everything is Figureoutable is an unapologetic guide to solving your biggest problems and accomplishing your wildest dreams."
--Sophia Amoruso, Co-Founder & CEO, Girlboss

"Fast-paced, generous, wise, raw, funny, practical and helpful."
--Glennon Doyle, author of LOVE WARRIOR, founder of Together Rising 

"This book will change your life in all the best ways."
--Becky Lynch, WWE RAW and Inaugural SmackDown Women's Champion

"Everything is Figureoutable is a provocative, profound, laugh-your-ass-off game-changer. Devour this book and get busy living!" 
--Kris Carr, author
 
"With her trademark mix of warmth, intelligence and insightful advice, Marie Forleo shows us how, as the title says, everything is figureoutable." 
--Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global
 
"A must-read!"
--Daymond John, co-star of Shark Tank