Brutal title right? Just testing to see if the title got you to open the substack email or post! But really, I recently read an Instagram post from Jay Papasan that said “Growth happens in your comfort zone…said no one ever.”

That is EXACTLY why I gave this an edgy title. This series is intended to smash through the “B*llsh*t” as Marie Forleo would say, and guide us on a transformative journey through her book, Everything is Figureoutable. Last week, we laid the foundation with chapters one and two, reflecting on the mantra and the roadmap it offers. This week, we’re diving into something really important, beliefs!

The Magic Behind All the Magic: Belief

Marie nails it when she says belief is the true magic behind change. It’s the starting point of an amazing chain reaction that shapes how we experience the world and what we create.

Here’s the powerful framework she shares, which I want you to hold close:

Belief → Thought → Feeling → Behavior → Result

What you believe directs what you think. Your thoughts influence how you feel. Your feelings guide what you do, and your actions create your results. This cycle then deepens and reinforces your beliefs—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

Even if we’re not conscious of our beliefs, they’re always there, guiding our outcomes in ways we might not realize. That’s why it’s so important to check in: Are your beliefs opening doors, or quietly keeping them closed?

When Beliefs Outlive Their Usefulness

One of the biggest realizations I’ve had is that many of our beliefs (and the behaviors that come with them) once served to protect us. They kept us safe, secure, or comfortable in an earlier context. But often, we don’t stop to question if they still serve us.

One of my favorite quotes is by leadership coach, Marshall Goldsmith:

“What got you here will not get you there.”

You have to challenge your beliefs in order to change your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and ultimately, your results.

This is actually a core part of what we do in workshops and what I deeply love about facilitation: helping people uncover locked assumptions and open up new possibilities.

The Creativity Belief

Marie shares her story of wanting to do deeply creative work but feeling boxed in by traditional ideas of what creativity looks like. I deeply resonated with her story here. I once believed creativity was only about art-making. I even perceived my roles in product management as the opposite of creative—dry, technical, and “uncreative” on paper. Even though I love “backlog prioritization” it sounds far from creative.

But I’ve learned that creativity shows up in so many ways. It shows up in problem-solving, in collaboration, and in figuring things out in real life. I’m a maker in many forms, and that mindset shift was a big breakthrough for me.

Since I changed that belief, so much of my life looks and feels different!

Let’s Unpack The Power of Belief!

Look around you right now. See everything you have in sight. What’s in your hands? What are you sitting on? What are the the objects nearby? Here’s the truth Marie shares that changed my perspective: almost everything around us was once a thought, a wild, unimaginable idea. Someone solved a problem, and figured out how to bring it to life.

Our minds create our reality.

This ties into the law of attraction or manifestation—if that resonates with you. I like to frame it as taking responsibility for setting things in motion. I’ll give you two real examples:

* When I was a teenager, I told my brother in Boston’s Harvard Square, "I’m going to live here someday." Ten years later, I did.

* When I lived in Chicago in my late 20’s, I wanted a treadmill. After searching online, sometime later that day, a perfectly good treadmill mysteriously appeared by next to my neighbor’s garbage can. I snagged it for free and was running on it that evening…literally the same day I had the thought! The story is better in the podcast version of this substack by the way.

Coincidence? Maybe. Manifestation? Possibly. I call it responsibility—the idea that you have to take action and keep your eyes open to opportunities.

The Brutal Reality About Our Beliefs

Every belief has a consequence. Empowering beliefs grow you and open doors. Limiting beliefs shrink and restrict you. For decades (and even today), I’ve wrestled with beliefs like:

* I’m not good enough.

* I’m too emotional.

* I’m too weird.

* I’m too selfish.

* I’ll never be worthy.

Even now, those thoughts pop up, especially when I am facing with new challenges. The difference is that I can recognize them as just thoughts, not truths, and choose not to let them control me.

So the next time that you feel this (which happens anytime you do hard things or when you chicken out before doing them), notice them and ask yourself if they are really true? What if you choose not to believe them and choose a more empowering thought that leads to action?

Your Homework Challenge: Rewire Your Beliefs

Marie encourages us to start rewiring our beliefs now. Try saying it with me (out loud if you can):

Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable. Everything is figureoutable.

Say it enough until it sinks in.

Then, here’s an exercise to make the change tangible. Grab a pen and paper:

* Why did you pick this book?

* What negative or limiting beliefs have stopped you from figuring this out until now?

* Cross each limiting belief out and write "b*llsh*t" next to it.

* Briefly explain why it’s b******t.

* Who would you be without those beliefs?

* Design a creative, playful plan to embody that everything is figureoutable belief.

For example:

* Why this book? To build my business despite my fears.

* Limiting beliefs: I’m not good enough, too emotional, too weird, too selfish, unworthy.

* Why these beliefs are b*llsh*t?: People love me, value my work, and I’m surrounded by evidence of my worth.

* Without those beliefs: I’d be living my dream life, traveling, thriving in relationships, and sharing my gifts confidently.

* Playful plan: Create a screensaver and paper art reminding me daily that everything is figureoutable. - DONE! (see below)

Final Thoughts

Notice your beliefs this week. Trace their origins. Challenge and choose new ones if needed. Remember, transformation starts not with hustle or beautiful planners or journals, but with a new belief.

I look forward to hearing what’s working for you or where you get stuck. Next week, we’ll dig into chapter four.

Until then, keep saying it with me: Everything is Figureoutable.

Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:

* Workshop design and facilitation

* Facilitation and workshop training, including AI Opportunity Mapping, Strategy & Design Sprints

* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationartist.substack.com