Everything is Figureoutable

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.